Republicans - Project 2025
Those who are curious about what the USA could expect if Donald Trump wins the elections can simply read up on it. However, one must make some time for it, as the manifesto "Mandate for Leadership. The Conservative Contract" from the Heritage Foundation has over 900 pages.
Better known as "Project 2025," this handbook from the right-wing think tank is a radical political blueprint for the next Republican president. Trump officially distances himself from the document, but the Foundation and the Republican Party are closely connected - it is one of the sponsors of the Republican Convention in Milwaukee.
Detailed Instructions
"Winning the elections is not enough," the project's introduction states. "If we want to free the country from the grip of the radical left, we need both a government program and the right people to implement this program on the first day of the next conservative government." "Project 2025" has attracted numerous conservative organizations. It provides a roadmap for the first 180 days in office.
This is not Trump's plan, but it is a plan made for Trump. The Heritage Foundation has published similar strategy papers in the past - even before Trump's election in 2016. After Trump's election, however, there was chaos in the White House. Should Trump win the presidency in November, according to the think tank, things will be different this time.
Contents
The plan outlines four main objectives:
- "Restoring the Family as the Cornerstone of American Life and Protecting Our Children"
The "Project 2025" advocates socially conservative positions. The authors oppose abortion, advocate for a ban on pornography, and support measures that promote "Marriage, Work, Motherhood, Fatherhood, and the Nuclear Family."
- "Dismantling the Administrative State and Returning Self-Governance to the American People"
The authors of "Project 2025" want to replace most federal bureaucrats and bureaucrats with political appointees. Behind this stands the Deep State myth, which alleges that in Washington, unelected bureaucrats actually govern, working against Trump during his presidency. The power of the president should be expanded, while the power of Congress should be weakened. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which includes the Weather Service or the US Hurricane Center, should be disbanded because it is "one of the most powerful driving forces of the Climate Change Alarm Industry." Its functions should be transferred to other agencies or privatized.
- "Defending Sovereignty, Borders, and the Wealth of Our Nation Against Global Threats"
The protection of the US border is prioritized in the manifesto. Trump's border wall with Mexico should be completed, and immigration laws should be tightened. The detention and deportation of illegal immigrants is "of decisive importance if we want to regain control of the border."
- "Securing Our God-Given Individual Rights to the Pursuit of Happiness"
The authors advocate for so-called religious freedom. This means that Christian values should be funded with public money and occupy a central role in everyday life. The Department of Health and Human Services should stand for a "biblically grounded, socially scientifically validated definition of Marriage and Family."
The Democrats led by US President Joe Biden are warning fiercely against "Project 2025" in the campaign. The Blueprint gives Trump more power over people's daily lives and eliminates democratic control mechanisms. This has prompted the Republicans. Trump, who is 78 years old, wrote on his online platform Truth Social that he knows nothing about "Project 2025." "I disagree with some of the statements, and some of the statements are absolutely ridiculous and catastrophic."
Trump's attempt to distance himself from the manifesto is not very credible. Associates and former employees of the Republicans have worked on it. Trump's vice presidential candidate, J.D. Vance, has close ties to the Heritage Foundation. The Senator tried to distance himself from it as well. "I can assure you that there are things in this 900-page document that Trump likes and dislikes."
There are also significant overlaps between the manifesto and Trump's political promises and the Republican Party program. At the Milwaukee convention, where Trump was officially declared the Republican presidential candidate, the party program was also passed.
In capital letters, the program lists 20 "promises" - for example, "implementation of the largest deportation action in American history" or "end of the mandate for electric vehicles and repeal of expensive and burdensome regulations."
Abortion Controversy
It is noticeable that the topic of abortion does not appear in the promises and is only mentioned once. "We will reject late-term abortions," it says there. Strict abortion bans are not mentioned - religious supporters were outraged. With the appointment of three conservative justices to the Supreme Court of the United States, Trump made it possible for the nationwide valid right to abortion to be overturned.
Trump celebrated this initially as a success. However, a majority of people in the USA support the right to abortion. Trump is therefore now avoiding clear statements on the issue.
This is also evident in the program and in Trump's attempt to distance himself from the Blueprint. Trump does not want to scare moderate conservatives with these radical positions. "Project 2025" could, however, inspire Trump for his politics in case of a possible re-election - at least.
- If Donald Trump secures victory in the US Election 2024, readers can refer to the Heritage Foundation's "Mandate for Leadership. The Conservative Contract" for insights into his potential policies, despite its connection to the Republican Party and Trump's distance from it.
- Although Trump distances himself from "Project 2025," the document serves as a significant guide for the Republican Party, highlighting key objectives like restoring family values, dismantling bureaucracy, securing borders, and protecting individual rights.
- One of the objectives outlined in "Project 2025" is "Restoring the Family as the Cornerstone of American Life and Protecting Our Children," promoting socially conservative stances against abortion, pornography, and advocating for traditional family structures.
- TheManifesto's authors aim to diminish the influence of bureaucrats and prioritize political appointees, focusing on the presidency's power expansion and Congress's weakened standing. They see the NOAA as a threat to the Climate Change Alarm Industry, suggesting its functions be transferred or privatized.
- "Project 2025" also prioritizes border security, preserving Trump's border wall and tightening immigration policies, while promoting "religious freedom" funding and Christian values integration in everyday life, as reflected in the Department of Health and Human Services' scope.
- Following the 2024 US Election, should Trump emerge victorious, the manifesto could influence his political policies, as shown by the significant points of the Milwaukee convention's party program and shared goals with Trump's and the Republican Party's promises.
- Despite the controversy surrounding the abortion issue, "Project 2025" could guide Trump's future political moves if re-elected, focusing on incremental changes rather than embracing strict abortion bans in order not to alienate moderate conservatives.
