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PJT 2025 PPL

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tool of ppl: Project 2025

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Material Contributors - What Does Project 2025 Say?



MASTER LIST OF PPL AND ORG AFFIL

List of contributors to Project 2025 - Wikipedia

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Directed by the Heritage Foundation, the 2025 Presidential Transition Project (or Project 2025) rests on "four pillars": a policy guide, a "conservative LinkedIn", a "Presidential Administration Academy",[1] and a "playbook".[2] The policy guide has been published in April 2024[3] as a volume of the Mandate for Leadership series, under the name The Conservative Promise. Edited by Paul Dans and Steven Groves, the more than 900-page volume features 30 chapters written by 40 primary authors.[4]

More than 100 organizations, spanning from conservative to far-right,[5] have helped produce the Conservative Promise, and Project 2025 more generally.[6] The policy reforms promoted in it and its digest have gained traction during the 2024 US presidential election.[7] Many collaborators of Donald Trump have been tied to the project.[8][9][10]

Background

Trump attended an event for Heritage in Amelia Island, Florida, on April 21, 2022, and praised its forthcoming Project 2025, saying:[11]

[T]hey're going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do and what your movement will do when the American people give us a colossal mandate to save America and that's coming. That's coming. Because nobody can stand what's happening right now. Only a fool, only a fool or somebody that hates our country can like what's happening right now. Never been in this position before and already we know a very big part of our agenda.

During his 2024 political campaign Trump faced political pressure for his association with Project 2025; he started to disavow it by July.[12][13] Soon after, Dans resigned from Project 2025, a symbolic gesture since it published its deliverables, including a database of 10,000 conservative job candidates.[14] Dans later criticized senior advisors Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita for 'historic campaign malpractice'.[15] LaCivita floated the idea that Project 2025 members would be barred from serving in the second Trump administration.[16]

On August 15, 2024, CNN published a video in which British journalists made Russell Vought reveal his policy preparation for a Trump presidency, his views on unitary executive theory, and his Christian nationalism.[17] While still distancing himself from Project 2025,[18] Trump headlined a Moms for Liberty event sponsored by Heritage at the end of August.[19]

Heritage stated that Trump has previously embraced many of the policy recommendations put forward by that organization. Several contributors to the project have held positions in one of Trump's political campaigns or his administrations.[20]

Advisory board

The Conservative Promise has an "Advisory board" section in its front matter.[21] Those featured in the Conservative promise with no collaborator are:

Alabama Policy Institute[22]

American Accountability Foundation

American Council of Trustees and Alumni

Center for Equal Opportunity

Concerned Women for America

Family Policy Alliance

First Liberty Institute

Forge Leadership Network

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Foundation for Government Accountability

Honest Elections Project

Institute for the American Worker

Intercollegiate Studies Institute

James Madison Institute

Leadership Institute

Liberty University

National Association of Scholars

National Center for Public Policy Research

Pacific Research Institute

Patrick Henry College

Personnel Policy Operations

Teneo Network

Young America's Foundation

Heritage maintained a website from April 2023 to March 2025.[23] The organizations listed during that time changed. The number listed in press releases varied from 21 in June 2022 to more than 100 in February 2024; after Trump's disavowal of Project 2025, many advisory board members were scrubbed from the website, including America First Legal, an organization founded by Stephen Miller.[24]

Authors

The 30 chapters of the Conservative Promise have been authored by 40 people. Many have contributed to chapters they have not authored. The Heritage president wrote the foreword, and one of its co-founders wrote the afterword. Of these authors and editors, the New York Times found that by October 2024, 18 have served in the first Trump administration.[10] The Revolving Door Project counted that 25 of the 30 chapters have been written by former Trump officials.[25] Since then other ties have been found.

Organizations marked with a dagger (†) are listed in the "Advisory board" section of the Conservative Promise.

NameAffiliationsChapter or matterTrump ties
Daren BakstCompetitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) †; Heartland Institute;[26] Federalist Society[27]10 – "Department of Agriculture"[28][29][30]
Jonathan BerryHeritage; † Boyden Gray; Federalist Society18 – "Department of Labor and Related Agencies"[31][32]DOJ (2017–2018), DOL (2018–2020)[33][34][25] transition team (2024);[35] DOL (2025-)[36]
Robert Benedict Bowes27 – "Financial Regulatory Agencies / Consumer Financial Protection Bureau"[37]Campaign director (2016),[38] HUD (2017–2021), OPM,[38] CFTC withdrawn nomination (2020)[39]
Lindsey M. BurkeHeritage; † EdChoice[40]11 – "Department of Education"[41]ED (2025)[42]
David R. BurtonHeritage; † Federalist Society[43]22 – "Department of the Treasury";[44] 27 – "Financial Regulatory Agencies / Securities and Exchange Commission and Related Agencies";[45] 25 – "Small Business Administration" (contributor)
Adam Candeub[46]Federalist Society; Michigan State University30 – "Federal Trade Commission"[47]DOC;[48][49] DOJ deputy associate attorney general;[50] FCC general counsel[51]
Dustin J. CarmackHeritage †; Meta[52]7 – "Intelligence Community"[53]DNI chief of staff[54]
Brendan CarrFederal Communications Commission (FCC)28 – "Federal Communications Commission"[55][56]FCC (2017–2027)[57][58]
Ben CarsonAmerican Cornerstone Institute[59] †15 – "Department of Housing and Urban Development"[60]HUD secretary;[61] Establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission[62]
Ken CuccinelliHeritage †, visiting fellow5 – "Department of Homeland Security"[63]USCIS director;[64] DHS deputy secretary[65]
Paul DansHeritage †: Project 2025 director (stepped down)[66][67]3 – "Central Personnel Agencies: Managing the Bureaucracy" ;[68] 6 – "Department of State" (contributor)[69]HUD (2019);[14] OPM chief of staff (2020)
Rick DearbornCypress Group1 – "White House Office"[70]Transition team executive director (2016);[71] deputy chief of staff (2017–2018)[25][72]
Veronique de RugyMercatus Center; Cato Institute23 – "Export-Import Bank / The Export-Import Bank Should be Abolished"[73]
Donald J. DevineThe Fund for American Studies3 – "Central Personnel Agencies: Managing the Bureaucracy"[68]3 – "Central Personnel Agencies: Managing the Bureaucracy"[68]

1 – "White House Office" (contributor)[74]

OPM advisor during the first administration[14]

Edwin J. FeulnerHeritage † co-founderAfterword – "Onward!"[75]Transition team (2016)[76]Transition team (2016)[76]
Diana Furchtgott-RothHeritage †19 – "Department of Transportation"[77]Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology[78]Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology[78]
Thomas F. GilmanAmerican Center for Law & Justice †21 – "Department of Commerce"[79][80][81]DOC chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration;[82]DOC chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration;[82]
Mike GonzalezHeritage †8 – "Media Agencies / Corporation for Public Broadcasting";[83] 21 – "Department of Commerce" (contributor)[84]1776 Commission appointee[10]1776 Commission appointee[10]
Mandy M. GunasekaraIndependent Women's Forum †13 – "Environmental Protection Agency"[85]EPA chief of staff and principal deputy assistant administrator for the Office of air and radiation[86][87]EPA chief of staff and principal deputy assistant administrator for the Office of air and radiation[86][87]
Gene HamiltonAmerica First Legal †17 – "Department of Justice"[88]DOJ counselor to the attorney general; DHS senior counselor; ICE assistant chief counsel[89]DOJ counselor to the attorney general; DHS senior counselor; ICE assistant chief counsel[89]

Jennifer L. Hazelton

[Jennifer Hazelton - USAID

LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hazelton-34b1605/)CNN and Fox News journalist[10]23 – "Export-Import Bank / The Case for the Export-Import Bank"[90]Trump-Pence Georgia campaign Communications director (2016);[91] DOS head of Public Affairs (2017);[92] EXIM vice president (2017–2020); USAID deputy assistant administrator (2020–2021)[25][91]
Karen KerriganSmall Business & Entrepreneurship Council[93]25 – "Small Business Administration"[94]Supported Trump's nomination of Linda McMahon[95]Supported Trump's nomination of Linda McMahon[95]
Dennis D. KirkMindset[96]3 – "Central Personnel Agencies – Managing the Bureaucracy"[68]OPM associate director;[97] Merit Systems Protection Board chairman[98]OPM associate director;[97] Merit Systems Protection Board chairman[98]
Kent LassmanCompetitive Enterprise Institute †26 – "Trade / The Case for Free Trade"[99]
Bernard L. McNameeMcGuireWoods LLP12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]FERC[101]FERC[101]
Christopher C. MillerAlbers Aerospace, Highpoint Aerotechnologies[102]4 – "Department of Defense"[103]DoD secretary (2020); NCC director (2020);[104] NSC (2018–2019)[105]DoD secretary (2020); NCC director (2020);[104] NSC (2018–2019)[105]
Stephen MooreFreedomWorks †22 – "Department of the Treasury"[44]Member of President Trump's economic task force[106]Member of President Trump's economic task force[106]
Mora NamdarNamdar Law PLLC[107]8 – "Media Agencies / United States Agency for Global Media"[108]NEA senior bureau official (2025); USAGM; CA assistant secretary (2020–2021)NEA senior bureau official (2025); USAGM; CA assistant secretary (2020–2021)
Peter NavarroPaul Merage School of Business (gone emeritus)26 – "Free Trade / The Case for Fair Trade"[109]Assistant to the President; OTMP director; NTC director[110][111]Assistant to the President; OTMP director; NTC director[110][111]
William Perry PendleyFederalist Society;[112] Mountain States Legal Foundation16 – "Department of the Interior"[113]BLM de facto director (2019–2020)[114]BLM de facto director (2019–2020)[114]
Max PrimoracHeritage †9 – "Agency for International Development";[115] 6 – "Department of State" (contributor)[69]USAID chief operating officer[116]USAID chief operating officer[116]
Kevin RobertsHeritage † president[117][118]Foreword – "A Promise to America"[119]Met with Trump; organized events around him.[10]Met with Trump; organized events around him.[10]
Roger SeverinoEthics and Public Policy Center14 – "Department of Health and Human Services"[120]Office of Civil Rights director at HHS[121]Office of Civil Rights director at HHS[121]
Brett D. SchaeferHeritage †6 – "Department of State"[69]Member on the United Nations committee on contributions[122]Member on the United Nations committee on contributions[122]
Kiron K. SkinnerPepperdine University School of Public Policy6 – "Department of State"[123]DOS director of policy planning[124]DOS director of policy planning[124]
Brooks D. TuckerUnited States Marine Corps (retired lieutenant)[10]20 – "Department of Veterans Affairs"[125]VA assistant secretary for congressional and legislative affairs [126]VA assistant secretary for congressional and legislative affairs [126]
Hans A. von SpakovskyHeritage †29 – "Federal Election Commission"[127]Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity (2017)Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity (2017)
Russell "Russ" VoughtCenter for Renewing America (CRA) †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[128]OMB director (2018–2020, 2025-);[129] 2024 Republican National Committee Platform[130]OMB director (2018–2020, 2025-);[129] 2024 Republican National Committee Platform[130]
William L. WaltonResolute Protector Foundation22 – "Department of the Treasury"[44]Transition team top economic advisor (2016)[131][10]Transition team top economic advisor (2016)[131][10]
Paul WinfreeEconomic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC);[132] Heritage †24 – "Federal Reserve";[133] 2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States" (contributor)[134]DPC; OMB; Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (2019–2022)[135]DPC; OMB; Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (2019–2022)[135]

LNK

Other contributors

The editors of Conservative Promise thank their 280 contributors in an "Acknowledgements" section, and lists them as "contributors". Other contributors have earned a special mention in the author's notes at the end of their chapters. Some contributors (like Atkins) have been thanked for having written portions of the chapters, but are not listed as author. Those who have not contributed to any specific chapter are identified as appearing in the "Contributors" section. The New York Times has traced back 307 authors and contributors to Project 2025; 182 of them are tied to Trump.[10]

Organizations marked with a dagger (†) are listed in the "Advisory board" section of the Conservative Promise.

Other Conservative Promise contributors| Name | Affiliation | Chapter | Trump tie |

Paige AgostinCenter for Renewing America †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Associate Director of Policy for the Office of the Vice President (2020–2024)[136][137]
Mark Albrecht"Contributors"
Christopher J. AndersonSen. Steve Daines (2022–); Sen. Bill Cassidy (2014–2017)20 – "Department of Veterans Affairs"[125]VA (2017–2021);[138] testified to the 2019 impeachment inquiry
Jeffrey H. AndersonThe American Main Street Initiative †"Contributors"DOJ: director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2017–2021)[139]
Michael AntonHillsdale College †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]NCS: deputy assistant to the President for strategic communications[140][141]
EJ Antoni IIIHeritage †22 – "Department of Treasury" (cited)Commissioner of Labor Statistics nominee,[142][143] withdrawn[144]
Andrew R. ArthurCenter for Immigration Studies[145] †"Contributors" (identified as "Art")Defended Trump's anti-immigration policies in reports and hearings.[146]
Paul S. AtkinsPatomak Global Partners[147]27 – "Financial Regulatory Agencies / Securities and Exchange Commission and Related Agencies" (portion)[148]SEC chairman (2025 – );[149] Strategic and Policy Forum (2017)[150]
Julie AxelrodCenter for Immigration Studies †"Contributors"EPA (2020–2021)
James Bacon"Contributors"McEntee's aide[3]
James BaehrPelican Institute;[151] Federalist Society[152]"Contributors"General counsel for the Department of Veteran Affairs[149]
Stewart BakerSteptoe and Johnson LLP"Contributors"Testified for FISA reform.[153]
Erik BaptistAlliance Defending Freedom †"Contributors"EPA (2017)[154]
Brent BennettTexas Public Policy Foundation †; FedSoc;[155] Life:Powered[156]12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]
John BerlauCEI †22 – "Department of Treasury"Endorsed Trump's choice for CFPB director[157]
Russell BermanHoover Institution6 – "Department of State"[69]U.S. State Department: Commission on Unalienable Rights[158] in the first Trump administration
Aubrey BettencourtNetafim[159]16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]USDA under his first administration;[161] NRCS (2025-)
Sanjai BhagatUniversity of Colorado Boulder"Contributors"Part of the Economists for Trump[162]
Stephen BillySusan B. Anthony Pro-Life America †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]OMB senior advisor[149]
Brad BishopAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"HUD deputy assistant communications secretary[10]
Willis W. BixbyWWBX LLC; Talisman[163]12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]DOE (2018)[164]
Josh BlackmanSouth Texas College of Law"Contributors"[165]
Jim BlewDefense of Freedom Institute †11 – "Department of Education"[41]ED: assistant secretary for planning, evaluation and policy development[10]
Robert BortinsClassical Conversations"Contributors"
Rachel BovardConservative Partnership Institute †30 – "Federal Trade Commission"[47]Endorsed Trump in various right-wing outlets.[166][167]
Matt BowmanAlliance Defending Freedom †"Contributors"HHS deputy general counsel[10]
Steven G. BradburyHeritage †19 – "Department of Transportation"[168]Acting Secretary of Transportation;[169] acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation;[169] general Counsel of the United States Department of Transportation[169]
Preston BrashersHeritage †22 – "Department of Treasury" (thanked and cited)
Andrew BrembergVictims of Communism Memorial Foundation[170]1 – "White House Office"Office of the United Nations in Geneva: permanent US representative; DPC: assistant to the President[171]
Jonathan BronitskyATHOS1 – "White House Office"Former chief speech writer for William P. Barr, the 2016–2020 Trump administration's attorney general[172]
Kyle BrosnanHeritage †"Contributors"HHS and DHS: senior roles[10]
Patrick T. BrownEthics and Public Policy Center †[173]"Contributors"Defended Trump with op-eds[174]
Robert BurkettAmerican Center for Law & Justice2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States";[134] 21 – "Department of Commerce"[84]DOC; DOL; Office of the Under Secretary chief of staff
Michael BurleyAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"Special assistant to the president and associate director of presidential personnel[10]
Jonathan ButcherHeritage †11 – "Department of Education"[41]
Mark H. BuzbyBuzby Maritime Associates, LLC"Contributors"United States Maritime Administrator[175]
Margaret ByfieldAmerican Stewards of Liberty"Contributors"Involved in the Congressional Western Caucus;[176] lobbied against national parks[177]
David ByrdKorn Ferry"Contributors"Transition team consultant; DOCnational deputy director[10]
Sarah CalvisAmerica Moment[178] †6 – "Department of State";[69]Project 2025 coordinator (2022 – 2025)
Anthony P. CampauCenter for Renewing America †; EPIC[132]2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Presidential transition team[179]
James Jay CarafanoHeritage †6 – "Department of State"[69]Primary aide to the U.S. State Department for the first Trump administration's transition team[180]
Frank CarrollProfessional Forest Management"Contributors"Wanted to rename State Route 260 the Donald Trump Highway.[181]
Oren CassAmerican Compass†18 – "Department of Labor and Related Agencies"[182]Worked with JD Vance[183]
Brian J. CavanaughAmerican Global Strategies"Contributors"National Security Council (2017–2021)[184]
Spencer ChretienHeritage †: Project 2025 associate director6 – "Department of State"[69]

2019–2020 EOP; HUD

2025- senior bureau official at PRM[185]

Claire ChristensenAmerican Cornerstone Institute; Gingrich 360[186]"Contributors"Co-authored Trump vs China with Newt Gingrich
Jeffrey B. ClarkNew Civil Liberties Alliance; Federalist Society[187]2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]United States Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. Acting Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget.
Victoria CoatesHeritage †8 – "Media Agencies / Corporation for Public Broadcasting"Deputy National Security Advisor for Middle East and North African Affairs
Ellie CohanimIndependent Women's Forum †"Contributors"Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in the first Trump administration[188]
Ezra CohenUnion League of Philadelphia"Contributors"DOD[189]
Elbridge ColbyMarathon Initiative"Contributors"Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development in the first Trump administration[190]
Earl ComstockWhite & Case LLP"Contributors"DOC: Wilbur Ross aide (2017–2020)[191][192]
Wesley CoopersmithHeritage Action for America6 – "Department of State"[69]Legislative Director for Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA)[193]
Lisa CorrentiCenter for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam) †"Contributors"Delegate to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women[10]
Monica CrowleyThe Nixon Seminar22 – "Department of Treasury"Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs in first the Trump administration[194]
Laura CunliffeIndependent Women's Forum † America First Policy Institute2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]United Nations ambassador chief of staff; OMB; DPC[195]
Mark CruzUnited States Energy Association[196]16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]DOI (2018–2020); HHS senior advisor (2025)[197]
Tom DansAmberwave Partners22 – "Department of Treasury"USDT: counselor to the under secretary for international affairs[10]
Sohan DasguptaTaft Stettinius & Hollister LLP"Contributors"[198]DHS: Assistant secretary for trade and economic security (2025); previously ED: Special counsel, and DHS: Deputy general counsel[199]
Corey DeAngelisAmerican Federation for Children"Contributors"Trump endorsed his anti-LGBTQ+ book[200]
Caroline DeBerryParagon Health Institute vice-president (2021–2023)[201]"Contributors"FEC; worked for Pence's Chief of Staff Nick Ayers, Brett Giroir,[202]
Arielle Del TurcoFamily Research Council †"Contributors"
Chris De RuyterNational Center for Urban Operations"Contributors"
Irv DennisAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"HUD chief financial officer[10]
David DeptulaMitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies"Contributors"
Sergio de la Peña4: "Department of Defense"[203]

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the first Trump Administration[204][205]

2016 presidential campaign[204]

Chuck DeVoreTexas Public Policy Foundation †4: "Department of Defense"[203]
C. Wallace DeWittAllen & Overy LLP27 – "Financial Regulatory Agencies / Consumer Financial Protection Bureau"[37]SEC counsel to the commissioner[10]
Matthew D. DickersonEPIC; Heritage †; Americans for Prosperity[132]"Contributors"House Budget Committee senior policy advisor
James Di PaneHeritage †"Contributors"
Michael DingAmerica First Legal †"Contributors"
David DitchHeritage †19 – "Department of Transportation"[168]
Natalie DodsonEthics and Public Policy Center †"Contributors"Senior counselor to the HHS secretary
Dave DoreyThe Fairness Center"Contributors"DHS: deputy assistant secretary for counterterrorism and threat prevention[10]
Mike DuffeySenior Vice Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Senior White House official[206]
Max EdenAmerican Enterprise Institute11 – "Department of Education"[41]
Troy EdgarIBM Consulting"Contributors"DHS chief financial officer[10]
Joseph EdlowHeritage †"Contributors"USCIS deputy director[10]
Jen EhlingerBooz Allen Hamilton"Contributors"DoS communications strategist[10]
John EhrettOffice of Senator Josh Hawley30 – "Federal Trade Commission"[47]
Kristen EichamerHeritage †21 – "Department of Commerce"[84]NASA deputy press secretary
Robert S. EitelDefense of Freedom Institute †11 – "Department of Education"[41]ED: counselor to the secretary[10]
Lanny Erdos16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Will EstradaParents Rights Foundation"Contributors"
Farnaz Farkish ThompsonMcGuireWoods"Contributors"ED (2018–2021)[207]
Jon FeereCenter for Immigration Studies †"Contributors"ICE senior advisor;[208] collaborated with Miller and Holman to hype immigrant criminality[209]
Baruch FeigenbaumReason Foundation"Contributors"
Travis FisherHeritage †12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]
George FishmanCenter for Immigration Studies †"Contributors"DHS deputy general counsel and USCIS] chief counsel (2018–2021) [210][211][212]
Leslie FordHeritage †; American Enterprise Institute (2023-)"Contributors"DPC[213][214]
Aharon FriedmanFederal Policy Group[215]"Contributors"USDT: senior adviser to the assistant secretary for tax policy[216]
Bruce FrohnenPettit College of Law; Federalist Society"Contributors"
Joel FrushoneErnst & Young"Contributors"EDA (2019–2021)
Finch FultonK&L Gates"Contributors"DOT (2019–2020)
Caleigh GabelAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"
Christopher GacekFamily Research Council †"Contributors"
Alexandra GaiserRiver Financial Inc."Contributors"
Mario Garza"Contributors"
Patty-Jane GellerHeritage †4 – "Department of Defense"[103] and 12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions" (cited)
Aurelia Giacometto16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]United States Fish and Wildlife Service director[217]
Andrew GillenTexas Public Policy Foundation †11 – "Department of Education"[41]
James S. Gilmore IIIGilmore Global Group LLC"Contributors"served as United States Mission to the United States Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe during the first Trump administration[218]
Vance GinnEconomic Consulting LLC2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]
John G. MalcolmHeritage †"Contributors"LSC board of directors, nominated by Trump (2019-)
Alma GoldenInstitute for Women's Health †9 – "Agency for International Development"[219]Alma L Golden - Add Relationship - LittleSis
Chadwick R. GoreDefense Forum Foundation"Contributors"Donald J. Trump for President inc. (2016); House Foreign Affairs Committee (2018–2019)[220]
David GortlerEthics and Public Policy Center †"Contributors"
Brian GottsteinHeritage †"Contributors"
Dan GreenbergCEI †"Contributors"
Robert "Rob" GreenwayHudson Institute2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Top advisor on the Middle East who stepped down following January 6[221]
Rachel GreszlerHeritage †; EPIC18 – "Department of Labor and Related Agencies"[182]Senior economist on the staff of the Joint Economic Committee of the Congress[132]
DJ GribbinMadrus Consulting"Contributors"Special assistant to the President for infrastructure (2017–2018)[222]
Garrison GrisedaleAmerican Cornerstone Institute; Hillsdale College †[223]"Contributors"HUD: Speechwriter and Deputy White House Liaison[224]
Joseph GroganUSC Schaeffer School for Health Policy and Economics"Contributors"Domestic Policy Council during the first Trump administration[225]
Steven GrovesHeritage †, The Conservative Promise co-editor6 – "Department of State" (contributor)[69]

Ambassador Nikki Haley's Chief of Staff at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations

Assistant Special Counsel, representing the White House in the Mueller investigation White House Deputy Press Secretary[226]

Andrew GuernseyVoice for Life[227]"Contributors"HHS senior advisor[228]
Jeffrey GunterRepublican Jewish Coalition"Contributors"
Joe GuyClub for Growth"Contributors"
Joseph Guzman"Contributors"
Amalia HalikiasHeritage †"Contributors"
Casey Hammond16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]BLM acting director
Richard HananiaCenter for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology"Contributors"
Simon HankinsonHeritage †6 – "Department of State"[69]State Department[229]
David Harlow13 – "Environmental Protection Agency"[85]
Derek HarveyBoard of County Commissioners in Washington County, Maryland (2022–2026)"Contributors"National Security Council (2017); HPSCI (2017–2018)
Jason HayesMackinac Center for Public Policy"Contributors"
Aaron HedlundAmerica First Policy Institute2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Chief Economist for Domestic Policy at the Council of Economic Advisers.[230]
Lou Heinzer21 – "Department of Commerce"[84]
Edie HeipelCenter for Renewing America †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]
Troup HemenwayPersonnel Policy Operations; America First Policy Institute; Club for Growth[231]"Contributors"PPO
Nathan HitchenEqual Rights Institute22 – "Department of the Treasury";[44] (cited)
Pete Hoekstra11 – "Department of Education"[41] (cited)United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during the first Trump administration
Gabriella HoffmanIndependent Women's Forum13 – "Environmental Protection Agency"[85] (cited)
Tom HomanHeritage †"Contributors"Director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the first Trump administration; Border Czar in the second Trump administration
Christopher C. Horner"Contributors"
Mike HowellHeritage †"Contributors"
Valerie HuberThe Institute for Women's Health; † Ascend2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Health and Human Services[232]
Andrew HughesAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"
Joseph M. HumireCenter for a Secure Free Society6 – "Department of State"[69]U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Integration and Defense Support of Civil Authorities[233]
Christopher IacovellaAmerican Securities Association27 – "Financial Regulatory Agencies / Consumer Financial Protection Bureau";[37] 30 – "Federal Trade Commission"[47]
Melanie IsraelHeritage †"Contributors"
Ken IvoryUtah House of Representatives"Contributors"
Roman JankowskiHeritage †"Contributors"
Abby Jones"Contributors"
Diane Auer Jones11 – "Department of Education"[41]
Art KleinschmidtRecovery for America Now Foundation †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]SAMHSA; HHS[234]
Paul J. LarkinHeritage †; Civitas Institute[235]2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Defends various Trump actions: the spending pause,[236] the Congressional Review Act,[237] etc.
Emilie KaoAlliance Defending Freedom†"Contributors"
Jared M. KelsonBoyden Gray & Associates"Contributors"
Aaron KheriatyEthics and Public Policy Center †"Contributors"
Ali KilmartinAlliance Defending Freedom†"Contributors"
Julie KirchnerFederation for American Immigration Reform"Contributors"
Dan KishInstitute for Energy Research †16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Kenneth A. KlukowskiFederalist Society[238]2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Constitutional rights advisor on the transition team; Justice Department staffer[239]
Brian Knight27 (portion): "Financial Regulatory Agencies / Securities and Exchange Commission and Related Agencies"[148]
Adam KorzeniewskiAmerican Principles Project †22
Bethany KozmaKeystone Policy †9 – "Agency for International Development"[219]
Matthew Kozma"Contributors"Under secretary for intelligence and analysis, DHS (2025)[240]
Julius KreinAmerican Affairs"Contributors"
Stanley KurtzEthics and Public Policy Center †"Contributors"
David LaCerteBaker Botts, LLP"Contributors"
Paul R. LawrenceLawrence Consulting20 – "Department of Veterans Affairs"[125]
James R. Lawrence IIIEnvisage Law"Contributors"
Nathan LeamerTargeted Victory"Contributors"
David LegatesUniversity of Delaware (Ret.)2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States";[134] 21 – "Department of Commerce"[84]Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for observation and prediction at the NOAA[241]
Marlo LewisCEI †"Contributors"
Ben LiebermanCEI †12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]
John Ligon"Contributors"
Evelyn LimAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"
Mario LoyolaCEI †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]
Jim MagagnaWYO BEEF ROLLINS16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Scott Mason IV13 – "Environmental Protection Agency"[85]
Joseph MastermanCooper & Kirk PLLC"Contributors"
Earl MatthewsThe Vandenberg Coalition"Contributors"General Counsel of the Department of Defense, held multiple positions in the first Trump administration
Dan MaulerHeritage Action for America"Contributors"
Brian Vaughan McCormackEdison Electric Institute[242]2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States";[134] 12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]Among several aides who declined to participate in the 2019 impeachment hearings against Trump; National Security Council[243]
Drew McCallAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"
Trent McCotterBoyden Gray & Associates"Contributors"
Micah MeadowcroftThe American Conservative†"Contributors"
Edwin Meese IIIHeritage †[244]1 – "White House Office"[74]Presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump[245]
Jessica MeluginCEI †30 – "Federal Trade Commission"[47]
Frank MermoudOrpheus International"Contributors"
Mark MillerOffice of Kristi Noem"Contributors"Office of Governor Kristi Noem
Cleta MitchellConservative Partnership Institute †"Contributors"
Kevin E. Moley"Contributors"
Caitlin MoonAmerican Center for Law & Justice †"Contributors"
David MooreBrigham Young University Law School"Contributors"
Clare MorellEthics and Public Policy Center †"Contributors"
Mark A. MorganHeritage †"Contributors"served multiple roles in the first Trump administration[246][247]
Hunter MorgenAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"
Rachel MorrisonEthics and Public Policy Center †18 – "Department of Labor and Related Agencies"[182]
Jonathan MoyHeritage †"Contributors" (junior staffer)
Casey Mulligan2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Chief Economist of the Council of Economic Advisers[248][249] during the first Trump administration
Iain MurrayCEI †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States";[134] 21 – "Department of Commerce";[84] 26 – "Trade / The Case for Free Trade"
Ryan NabilNational Taxpayers Union;[250] CEI †"Contributors"
Michael NasiJackson Walker LLP[251]"Contributors"
Lucien NiemeyerThe Niemeyer Group LLC"Contributors"
Nazak NikakhtarWiley Rein LLP21 – "Department of Commerce"[84]
Milan "Mitch" Nikolich"Contributors"
Kathy Nuebel KovarikSagitta Solutions LLC"Contributors"
Matt O'BrienImmigration Reform Law Institute"Contributors"
Caleb OrrBoyden Gray & Associates18 – "Department of Labor and Related Agencies";[182] 25 – "Small Business Administration"
Ivan OsorioCEI †[252]26 – "Trade / The Case for Free Trade"[253]
Nina Owcharenko SchaeferHeritage †14 – "Department of Health and Human Services"[120] (cited)
Scott Pace2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Executive Secretary of the National Space Council[254][255] during the first Trump administration
Michael PackClaremont Institute † CEO (2015–2017)8 – "Media Agencies / Corporation for Public Broadcasting"USAGM CEO[256]
Chad PadgettBureau of Land Management in Alaska[257]16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Leah PedersenConvergence[258]"Contributors"USAID
Michael PillsburyHeritage †6 – "Department of State"[69]Architect of Trump's policy towards China
Patrick PizzellaLeadership Institute"Contributors"Deputy and acting Secretary of Labor in the first Trump administration[259][260]
Chelsea Pizzola27 – "Financial Regulatory Agencies / Consumer Financial Protection Bureau"[37]
Jim Pond16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Robert W. Poole Jr.Reason Foundation founder19 – "Department of Transportation"[168]
Kevin PreskenisAllymar Health Solutions"Contributors"Chief of Staff, Office of the chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration, DOC
Pam PryorNational Committee for Religious Freedom"Contributors"
Thomas PyleInstitute for Energy Research †12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]
Rob Roy Ramey II16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
John RatcliffeAmerican Global Strategies7 – "Intelligence Community"[53] (mentioned and cited)Director of National Intelligence[261] selected as CIA Director in the second Trump administration
Paul J. RayHeritage †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs[262] in the first Trump administration
Joseph ReddanFlexilis Forestry LLC"Contributors"
Jay W. RichardsHeritage †"Contributors"
Jordan RichardsonHeise Suarez Melville P.A."Contributors"
Jason RichwineCenter for Immigration Studies †3 – "Central Personnel Agencies – Managing the Bureaucracy" (cited)Mentioned by Stephen Miller in the Breitbart emails[263]
Shaun RieleyThe American Conservative†"Contributors"
Lora RiesHeritage †"Contributors"
Leo Rios"Contributors"
Mark RobeckEnergy Evolution Consulting LLC12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]
James RockasAmerican Center for Law & Justice2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States";[134] 21 – "Department of Commerce"[84]Election team[264]
Mark RoyceNOVA-Annandale College"Contributors"
Reed RubinsteinAmerica First Legal6 – "Department of State"[69]Legal advisor of the Department of State (May, 2025-)
William P. RugerAmerican Institute for Economic Research"Contributors"Trump's Ambassador to Afghanistan[265]
Austin RuseCenter for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam) †"Contributors"
Brent D. SadlerHeritage †4 – "Department of Defense"[103] (cited)
Alexander William SalterTexas Tech University24 – "Federal Reserve"[266]
Jon SandersJohn Locke Foundation"Contributors"
Carla SandsAmerica First Policy Institute"Contributors"Served as United States Ambassador to Denmark during the first Trump administration[267][268][269]
David Sauve"Contributors"
Kyle E. Scherer16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Matt SchuckAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"
Justin SchwabCGCN Law13 – "Environmental Protection Agency"[85]
Jon SchweppeAmerican Principles Project †30 – "Federal Trade Commission"[47]
Marc ScribnerReason Foundation"Contributors"
Darin SelnickSelnick Consulting20 – "Department of Veterans Affairs"[125]
Josh SewellTaxpayers for Common Sense10 – "Department of Agriculture"[28] (cited)
Kathleen SgammaWestern Energy Alliance16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Matt SharpAlliance Defending Freedom†"Contributors"
Judy SheltonIndependent Institute24 – "Federal Reserve"[266]Economic advisor to Trump under his first term[270][271]
Molly SikesCenter for Renewing America †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]
Nathan Simington"Contributors"served as Commissioner of the FCC in the first Trump administration, and continues to serve in that role in the Biden administration[272]
Jeff Smith6 – "Department of State"[69]
Loren SmithSkyline Policy Risk Group"Contributors"
Daniel SimmonsAssociation of Home Appliance Manufacturers12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]DOE: assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy
Zack SmithHeritage †"Contributors"
Thomas W. SpoehrHeritage †4 – "Department of Defense"[103] (cited)
Jack SpencerHeritage †12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]
Adrienne SperoU.S. House Committee on Homeland Security"Contributors"
Christopher StanleyFunctional Government Initiative"Contributors"
Paula M. Stannard"Contributors"HHS senior counselor (2016–2020); director of the Office for Civil Rights (2025)[273]
Parker StathatosTexas Public Policy Foundation †"Contributors"
William R. SteigerIndependent consultant9 – "Agency for International Development"[219]USAID chief of staff[274]
Kenny SteinInstitute for Energy Research †"Contributors"
Robby Stephany SaundersCoalition for a Prosperous America †"Contributors"
Corey StewartStewart PLLC"Contributors"
Peter St OngeHeritage †24 – "Federal Reserve"[266]
Mari Stull"Contributors"
Katharine T. Sullivan1792 Exchange †"Contributors"
Brett SwearingenMiller Johnson"Contributors"
Michael Sweeney"Contributors"
Tara Sweeney16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Robert Swope"Contributors"
Aaron SzaboCGCN Group13 – "Environmental Protection Agency"[85]
Katy TalentoAllBetter Health"Contributors"
Hillary Tanoff6 – "Department of State"[69]
John Tashuda16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Tony TataTata Leadership Group LLC"Contributors"Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the first Trump administration[275]
Todd ThurmanAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"
Brett TolmanTolman Group"Contributors"
Kayla M. TonnessenRecovery for America Now Foundation †2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States"[134]Chief of staff of the Office of National Drug Control Policy[276]
Joe TrotterAmerican Legislative Exchange Council †"Contributors"
Tevi TroyMercatus Center"Contributors"
Katie Tubb12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions";[100] 16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Clayton TuftsJefferson Parish Government"Contributors"DOC special adviser (2019-2021)[10]
Erin ValdezTexas Public Policy Foundation †11 – "Department of Education"[41]
Mark VandroffNavy (ret.)"Contributors"NCS senior director for defense policy[10]
Jessica M. VaughanCenter for Immigration Studies †[277]"Contributors"Spoke regularly with the administration.[278] Testified to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security (2018)[279]
John "JV" VenableHeritage †"Contributors"
Morgan Lorraine ViñaJewish Institute for National Security of America"Contributors"
Andrew N. VollmerMercatus Center27 – "Financial Regulatory Agencies / Securities and Exchange Commission and Related Agencies";[37] (thanked and cited)
Greg WalcherNatural Resources Group LLC"Contributors"
David Wallace16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
David M. WalshTakota Group12 – "Department of Energy and Related Commissions"[100]
Elizabeth Erin WalshHeritage †6 – "Department of State"[69]Assistant Secretary of Commerce (Global Markets);[280] Director General of the United States Commercial Service;[280] Member of the Trump's presidential transition team[280][281]
Jacklyn WardAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"HUD press secretary (2025 – 02)[282]
Emma WatersHeritage †"Contributors"
Rachael WilfongHeritage †10 – "Department of Agriculture" (got it ready for submission)
Michael L. WilliamsAmerican Cornerstone Institute"Contributors"HUD principal deputy general counsel[10]
Aaron Wolff"Contributors"
Jonathan WolfsonCicero Institute2 – "Executive Office of the President of the United States";[134] 18 – "Department of Labor and Related Agencies"[182]U.S. Department of Labor in the Trump Administration[283]
Alexei WoltornistATHOS"Contributors"DHS assistant secretary for public affairs[10]
Clint Woods13 – "Environmental Protection Agency"[85]
Frank WucoConservative talk radio show in Florida[284]8 – "Media Agencies / Corporation for Public Broadcasting"DHS advisor; Department of State; USAGM[285][286][287]
Cesar YbarraFreedomWorks †"Contributors"
Ryan Young26 – "Trade / The Case for Free Trade"
John ZadroznyAmerica First Legal †6 – "Department of State"[69]USCIS official[288]
Gregory Zerzan16 – "Department of the Interior"[160]
Laura ZorcFreedomWorks †"Contributors"

See also

References...

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NYT NO LNX

The Many Links Between Project 2025 and Trump’s World

By Elena Shao and Ashley Wu Oct. 22, 2024

Former president Donald J. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he had nothing to do with Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s conservative policy initiative to reshape the federal government. Mr. Trump has said that he has not read its proposals and does not know who is behind it. But Project 2025 has numerous ties to Mr. Trump and his campaign, a New York Times analysis has found.

The people behind Project 2025 are no strangers to the former president. The Heritage Foundation’s president, Kevin D. Roberts, and a co-founder, Edwin J. Feulner, have each personally met with Mr. Trump. And the analysis of the Project 2025 playbook and its 307 authors and contributors revealed that well over half of them had been in Mr. Trump’s administration or on his campaign or transition teams.

Large portions of the “Mandate for Leadership,” the driving document behind Project 2025, were written by longtime Trump loyalists who were advisers to Mr. Trump during his first term.

Eighteen of the 40 authors and editors who worked on the document served in the first Trump administration:

Jump to the full list of authors, editors and contributors

Spokespeople for Project 2025 have denied that they are advocates for any particular candidate, and Project 2025 has no official ties to the Trump campaign. But the president of the Heritage Foundation told The New York Times in an interview in January that he views the foundation’s role as “institutionalizing Trumpism.”

While Mr. Trump has publicly disavowed Project 2025, there is significant overlap between the playbook and the plans Mr. Trump has articulated in campaign speeches and in his current campaign agenda, Agenda 47.

The policy playbook, known as the “Mandate for Leadership,” is just one pillar of Project 2025. Another is the group’s efforts to compile a database of thousands of vetted conservatives to staff a new conservative administration. That team is led by John McEntee and James Bacon, who helped during Mr. Trump’s first term to purge the federal government of people deemed disloyal to him.

The Heritage Foundation has been staffing Republican administrations since the Reagan era, though it has massively expanded its efforts in this election cycle. To limit the appearance of connection, Mr. Trump’s transition team has been excluding prominent people linked to Project 2025 from its preparations. (A co-chair of that team, Howard Lutnick, called the Heritage Foundation “radioactive” because of the initiative in an interview with The New York Post this month.) But if Mr. Trump were to win the election, it would be unlikely for him to maintain a total ban on those affiliated with Project 2025, given he is personally close to some of its critical players.

The New York Times reached out to the Heritage Foundation and the Trump campaign with its findings; neither responded.

The “Mandate for Leadership” is composed of 30 chapters, organized into five large sections. Here is a section-by-section breakdown showing some of the ways in which Project 2025’s policies and personnel overlap with Mr. Trump’s.

The executive branch and government personnel

The document’s first section calls for an escalation of executive power and a sweeping overhaul of government personnel. This includes reinstating a Trump executive order known as Schedule F, which would have enabled Mr. Trump to fire tens of thousands of federal workers and replace them with loyalists. Mr. Trump signed the order near the end of his presidency and President Joseph R. Biden Jr. later rescinded it.

Dennis Dean Kirk co-wrote the chapter in this section on central personnel agencies. Mr. Kirk was involved with the adoption of Schedule F, which Mr. Trump has pledged to immediately reinstate in a second term.

The Heritage Foundation president, Kevin D. Roberts, wrote the foreword to the Project 2025 document. Photo evidence shows he took a private flight with Mr. Trump in April of 2022 from Palm Beach, Fla., to a Heritage Foundation conference. There, Mr. Trump gave a keynote address, where he said of Mr. Roberts: “I know what he did and where he came from, and he’s going to be outstanding.”

Mr. Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, wrote the foreword to Mr. Roberts’s forthcoming book, “Dawn’s Early Light.”

Circled, clockwise from top left: Kevin Roberts, Rick Dearborn and Russell T. Vought. Sources: The Washington Post (Roberts); Evan Vucci/Associated Press (Dearborn and Vought)

In addition to Mr. Kirk, three other authors of the document’s first section served in Mr. Trump’s administration:

Rick Dearborn, who wrote the chapter on the White House office, served as a White House deputy chief of staff and as executive director of Mr. Trump’s 2016 presidential transition team. Mr. Trump called him a “great asset to the administration” in a statement to The Oklahoman.

Russell T. Vought, Mr. Trump’s former budget director, was selected in May to be the policy director of the committee that develops the Republican Party’s platform.

Project 2025’s former director, Paul Dans, served as chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management in the Trump administration. He and Mr. Kirk co-wrote the chapter on personnel agencies. In recent months, Mr. Dans has criticized the Trump campaign and condemned Mr. Roberts’s “violent rhetoric.”

Immigration, national security and media

The document’s second section covers the Defense, Homeland Security and State Departments, as well as media agencies.

Ken Cuccinelli wrote the chapter on the Homeland Security Department. He served as acting deputy secretary of homeland security in the Trump administration and in another role led legal immigration efforts. In his chapter, Mr. Cuccinelli details aggressive immigration plans, including militarizing the Southern border and completing the border wall, the latter of which was a cornerstone of Mr. Trump’s first campaign. This election cycle, Mr. Trump has promised to lead the biggest deportation operation in American history and to use the military to secure the border.

Circled, from left: Ken Cuccinelli and Christopher Miller. Sources: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Samuel Corum for The New York Times

Christopher Miller wrote the chapter on the Defense Department. He served in the last months of the Trump administration as the acting defense secretary. As president-elect, Mr. Biden said his transition team faced “obstruction” from Mr. Miller and the Defense Department, which Mr. Miller denied.

Mr. Miller’s chapter mentions reversing policies that currently allow transgender people to serve in the military. Early in his presidency, Mr. Trump announced on Twitter a ban on transgender people serving in the military, which Mr. Biden later reversed.

All of the five other authors in this section have connections to the first Trump administration, including Kiron K. Skinner, who wrote the chapter on the State Department. She led policy planning in that department and was also a member of Mr. Trump’s transition team in 2016.

Major executive departments

This section’s 11 chapters call for a significant contraction of many federal agencies and social programs.

The chapters call for a repeal of existing protections for L.G.B.T.Q. individuals and demand an end to many diversity, equity and inclusion programs. In many of his rallies, Mr. Trump has said he would “keep men out of women’s sports.” During his presidency, Mr. Trump erased protections for transgender patients in health care.

Project 2025 also calls for the federal government to further restrict abortion, including outlawing the abortion pill. Mr. Trump has said he opposes a federal abortion ban and that abortion rights should be decided by the states, though he has been inconsistent on the issue.

Gene Hamilton wrote the chapter on the Justice Department. Mr. Hamilton, a lawyer who served in the Trump administration, calls for sweeping changes to the Justice Department that would ultimately erode its independence from White House political control.

Mr. Trump has similarly criticized the legitimacy of the department, particularly its investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election. He has said he would “completely overhaul” the department and pledged to appoint a special prosecutor to “go after” President Biden and his family.

Project 2025 additionally calls for the dismantling of the federal Education Department, which Mr. Trump has also pledged to do.

Circled, from left: Ben Carson in 2016 and 2024. Source: Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Eight other authors who wrote chapters in this section are connected to Mr. Trump’s administration, including Jonathan Berry, who also served as chief counsel for the Trump transition team in 2016, and Ben Carson, who served in Mr. Trump’s cabinet as the secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department.

Mr. Trump announced in September that Mr. Carson would be the national faith chairman of his 2024 campaign.

The economy

Seven authors of the section on the economy took on roles in Mr. Trump’s administration or on his 2016 campaign or transition teams. They include prominent advisers such as Stephen Moore and Peter Navarro, who spoke in support of Mr. Trump at the Republican National Convention this year.

Mr. Navarro wrote a chapter in this section about trade. He was the first senior Trump administration official to serve time over efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He had just been released from prison the morning of his convention speech, after completing a four-month sentence for defying a subpoena in the Jan. 6 investigation.

From left, circled: Karen Kerrigan and Peter Navarro. Sources: Evan Vucci/Associated Press; Ken Cedeno/EPA, via Shutterstock

Both Project 2025 and Mr. Trump have proposed tax policies that would largely benefit corporations and wealthier Americans. Mr. Trump has said he would lower the corporate tax rate to 15 percent from 21 percent.

The Project 2025 blueprint’s authors also want to reduce the corporate tax rate, but they go further, with a proposal to collapse the tax code into just two brackets — 15 percent and 30 percent — while eliminating deductions, credits and exclusions. An analysis by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, found that this plan would raise taxes by thousands of dollars for individual middle-class households each year.

Karen Kerrigan wrote a chapter on the Small Business Administration. She is the president and chief executive of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council and sat with Mr. Trump at a 2017 tax policy meeting at the White House.

Independent regulatory agencies

Project 2025’s fifth and final section recommends large-scale changes for a number of independent regulatory agencies, which would reduce their autonomy and bring them under executive control.

Mr. Trump and his allies likewise intend to bring independent agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (which makes and enforces rules for television and internet companies) and the Federal Trade Commission (which enforces various antitrust and other consumer protection rules against businesses) under direct presidential control.

Circled: Edwin Feulner. Source: Shealah Craighead/White House

Four of the authors of this section of the policy document are linked to Mr. Trump’s first administration, including Robert Bowes, who was also a field director on Mr. Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Edwin J. Feulner, a co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, wrote the closing chapter: “Onward!” He met Mr. Trump at least twice: once at a Heritage event, and a second time at a dinner with conservative grassroots leaders hosted by Mr. Trump in 2017.

Here is how 182 out of 307 authors, editors and contributors to Project 2025’s playbook are tied to Mr. Trump:

Authors and Editors Contributors

Filter by

Trump administration

Trump campaign or transition teams

Other connections

Clear filters

CONNECTION TO TRUNP:

Daren Bakst

Former Heritage Foundation fellow

No known connection

Jonathan Berry

Attorney

Acting assistant policy secretary at the Department of Labor

Chief counsel for the Trump transition team

Robert Bowes

Senior adviser to the assistant housing and urban development secretary

Field director on Trump’s 2016 campaign

Lindsey M. Burke

Heritage Foundation fellow

No known connection

David R. Burton

Heritage Foundation fellow

No known connection

Adam Candeub

Professor

Deputy associate attorney general

Dustin J. Carmack

Former Heritage Foundation fellow; former adviser to Gov. Ron DeSantis

Chief of staff for the Director of National Intelligence

Brendan Carr

Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, attorney

Member of the Federal Communications Commission

Benjamin S. Carson, Sr.

Retired doctor and politician

Housing and urban development secretary

National Faith Chairman for Trump’s 2024 campaign, spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention

Ken Cuccinelli

Lawyer; former attorney general of Virginia

Acting deputy homeland security secretary

Paul Dans

Former director of Project 2025

Chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management

Veronique de Rugy

Columnist

No known connection

Dennis Dean Kirk

Associate director of Project 2025

Senior adviser in the Office of Personnel Management

Rick Dearborn

Heritage Foundation fellow; lobbyist

White House deputy chief of staff

Executive director of Trump’s transition team

Donald Devine

Senior scholar at the Fund for American Studies

No known connection

Edwin J. Feulner

Co-founder of the Heritage Foundation

Met Trump at a Heritage Foundation event and a dinner hosted by Trump with conservative grass-roots leaders in Sept. 2017

Diana Furchtgott-Roth

Economist

Deputy assistant secretary for research and technology at the Department of Transportation

Thomas F. Gilman

Former chief financial officer of Chrysler Financial

Chief financial officer and assistant secretary for administration at the Department of Commerce

Mike Gonzalez

Heritage Foundation fellow

Appointee to Trump’s 1776 Commission to support “patriotic education”

Steven Groves

Heritage Foundation fellow

White House Deputy Press Secretary

Member of State Department transition team

Mandy M. Gunasekara

Energy strategist, former Heritage Foundation fellow

Chief of staff at the Environmental Protection Agency

Gene Hamilton

Vice president of America First Legal, a Trump-aligned legal action group

Counselor to the attorney general, senior counselor to the homeland security secretary

Led development of immigration policy on Trump transition team

Jennifer Hazelton

Consultant, CNN and Fox News journalist

Public affairs official at the U.S. Agency for International Development

Communications director for the Trump-Pence 2016 campaign in Georgia

Karen Kerrigan

President and chief executive of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council

Sat with Trump in a meeting on tax policy with business leaders at the White House

Kent Lassman

President of the Competitive Enterprise Institute

No known connection

Bernard L. McNamee

Consultant

Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Christopher Miller

Retired colonel in the U.S. Army Special Forces

Acting defense secretary

Stephen Moore

Economist, Heritage Foundation fellow, Fox News analyst

Trump planned to nominate him for governor of the Federal Reserve; he later withdrew his name from consideration

Top economic adviser for Trump’s 2016 campaign

Mora Namdar

Attorney

Acting assistant secretary of state

Peter Navarro

Economist; indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress for seeking to overturn in the 2020 presidential election

Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy

Economic policy adviser for Trump’s 2016 campaign, spoke at 2024 Republican National Convention

William Perry Pendley

Attorney, former senior official for Ronald Reagan

Acting director of the Bureau of Land Management

Max Primorac

Heritage Foundation fellow

Acting chief operating officer of the U.S. Agency for International Development

Kevin D. Roberts

President of the Heritage Foundation

Took a private flight with Trump in April 2022 from Palm Beach, Fla. to a Heritage conference

Roger Severino

Attorney

Director of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services

Kiron K. Skinner

Professor; author

Director of policy planning in the State Department

Member of Trump transition team

Brooks D. Tucker

Retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps

Chief of staff for the Department of Veterans Affairs

Worked on veterans affairs policy on the Trump transition team

Hans A. von Spakovsky

Attorney, Heritage Foundation fellow, former member of the Federal Election Commission

Member of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, which ran from May 2017 to Jan. 2018

Russell T. Vought

President of the Center for Renewing America

Director of the Office of Management and Budget

William L. Walton

Heritage Foundation trustee, host of The Bill Walton Show

Top economic adviser on Trump transition team

Paul Winfree

Economist, Heritage Foundation fellow

Deputy director of the Domestic Policy Council, director of Budget Policy

Adviser on the Trump transition team

Note: This list reflects the organizations that contributors were affiliated with as of April 2023, when Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership” was published.

Thomas Gaffney, Charlie Smart and Jonathan Swan contributed reporting.

---

NYT

Hover or tap to see each person’s name.

Headshot of Adam Candeub

Headshot of Dustin J. Carmack

Headshot of Brendan Carr

Headshot of Ken Cuccinelli

Headshot of Paul Dans

Headshot of Dennis Dean Kirk

Headshot of Diana Furchtgott-Roth

Headshot of Thomas F. Gilman

Headshot of Mike Gonzalez

Headshot of Mandy M. Gunasekara

Headshot of Bernard L. McNamee

Headshot of Christopher Miller

Headshot of Mora Namdar

Headshot of William Perry Pendley

Headshot of Max Primorac

Headshot of Roger Severino

Headshot of Hans A. von Spakovsky

Headshot of Russell T. Vought

One worked on Mr. Trump’s first presidential transition team:

Headshot of William L. Walton

Twelve worked both in Mr. Trump’s first administration and on one of his transition or campaign teams:

Headshot of Jonathan Berry

Headshot of Robert Bowes

Headshot of Benjamin S. Carson, Sr.

Headshot of Rick Dearborn

Headshot of Steven Groves

Headshot of Gene Hamilton

Headshot of Jennifer Hazelton

Headshot of Stephen Moore

Headshot of Peter Navarro

Headshot of Kiron K. Skinner

Headshot of Brooks D. Tucker

Headshot of Paul Winfree

Of the 267 additional contributors to the Project 2025 playbook, at least 144, highlighted in the list below, also worked in Mr. Trump’s administration or on his campaign or transition teams:

Mark AlbrechtMark Albrecht, highlighted.

Chris Anderson

Jeff AndersonJeff Anderson, highlighted.

Michael AntonMichael Anton, highlighted.

EJ Antoni

Andrew ArthurAndrew Arthur, highlighted.

Paul AtkinsPaul Atkins, highlighted.

Julie AxelrodJulie Axelrod, highlighted.

James BaconJames Bacon, highlighted.

James BaehrJames Baehr, highlighted.

Stewart Baker

Erik BaptistErik Baptist, highlighted.

Brent Bennett

John Berlau

Russell BermanRussell Berman, highlighted.

Sanjai Bhagat

Stephen BillyStephen Billy, highlighted.

Brad BishopBrad Bishop, highlighted.

Willis Bixby

Josh Blackman

Jim BlewJim Blew, highlighted.

Robert Bortins

Rachel Bovard

Matt BowmanMatt Bowman, highlighted.

Steven G. BradburySteven G. Bradbury, highlighted.

Preston Brashers

Jonathan BronitskyJonathan Bronitsky, highlighted.

Kyle BrosnanKyle Brosnan, highlighted.

Patrick T. Brown

Robert BurkettRobert Burkett, highlighted.

Michael BurleyMichael Burley, highlighted.

Jonathan Butcher

Mark BuzbyMark Buzby, highlighted.

Margaret Byfield

David ByrdDavid Byrd, highlighted.

Anthony CampauAnthony Campau, highlighted.

Frank Carroll

Oren Cass

Brian J. CavanaughBrian J. Cavanaugh, highlighted.

Spencer ChretienSpencer Chretien, highlighted.

Claire Christensen

Victoria CoatesVictoria Coates, highlighted.

Ellie CohanimEllie Cohanim, highlighted.

Ezra CohenEzra Cohen, highlighted.

Elbridge ColbyElbridge Colby, highlighted.

Earl ComstockEarl Comstock, highlighted.

Lisa CorrentiLisa Correnti, highlighted.

Monica CrowleyMonica Crowley, highlighted.

Laura CunliffeLaura Cunliffe, highlighted.

Tom DansTom Dans, highlighted.

Sergio de la PeñaSergio de la Peña, highlighted.

Chris De Ruyter

Corey DeAngelis

Caroline DeBerry

Arielle Del Turco

Irv DennisIrv Dennis, highlighted.

David Deptula

Chuck DeVore

James Di Pane

Matthew Dickerson

Michael DingMichael Ding, highlighted.

David Ditch

Natalie Dodson

Dave DoreyDave Dorey, highlighted.

Max Eden

Troy EdgarTroy Edgar, highlighted.

Joseph EdlowJoseph Edlow, highlighted.

Jen EhlingerJen Ehlinger, highlighted.

John Ehrett

Kristen EichamerKristen Eichamer, highlighted.

Robert S. EitelRobert S. Eitel, highlighted.

Will Estrada

Farnaz Farkish Thompson

Jon FeereJon Feere, highlighted.

Baruch Feigenbaum

Travis FisherTravis Fisher, highlighted.

George FishmanGeorge Fishman, highlighted.

Leslie FordLeslie Ford, highlighted.

Aharon FriedmanAharon Friedman, highlighted.

Bruce Frohnen

Joel FrushoneJoel Frushone, highlighted.

Finch FultonFinch Fulton, highlighted.

Caleigh GabelCaleigh Gabel, highlighted.

Christopher Gacek

Alexandra GaiserAlexandra Gaiser, highlighted.

Mario Garza

Patty-Jane Geller

Andrew Gillen

James S. GilmoreJames S. Gilmore, highlighted.

Vance GinnVance Ginn, highlighted.

Alma GoldenAlma Golden, highlighted.

Chadwick R. Gore

David Gortler

Brian Gottstein

Dan GreenbergDan Greenberg, highlighted.

Rob GreenwayRob Greenway, highlighted.

Rachel Greszler

DJ GribbinDJ Gribbin, highlighted.

Garrison GrisedaleGarrison Grisedale, highlighted.

Joseph GroganJoseph Grogan, highlighted.

Andrew Guernsey

Jeffrey GunterJeffrey Gunter, highlighted.

Joe GuyJoe Guy, highlighted.

Joseph GuzmanJoseph Guzman, highlighted.

Amalia Halikias

Richard Hanania

Simon Hankinson

David HarlowDavid Harlow, highlighted.

Derek HarveyDerek Harvey, highlighted.

Jason Hayes

Lou Heinzer

Edie HeipelEdie Heipel, highlighted.

Troup HemenwayTroup Hemenway, highlighted.

Nathan Hitchen

Pete HoekstraPete Hoekstra, highlighted.

Gabriella Hoffman

Tom HomanTom Homan, highlighted.

Chris HornerChris Horner, highlighted.

Mike HowellMike Howell, highlighted.

Valerie HuberValerie Huber, highlighted.

Andrew HughesAndrew Hughes, highlighted.

Joseph Humire

Christopher Iacovella

Melanie Israel

Ken Ivory

Roman JankowskiRoman Jankowski, highlighted.

James Jay CarafanoJames Jay Carafano, highlighted.

Abby Jones

Emilie Kao

Jared M. KelsonJared M. Kelson, highlighted.

Aaron Kheriaty

Ali KilmartinAli Kilmartin, highlighted.

Julie KirchnerJulie Kirchner, highlighted.

Dan Kish

Kenneth A. KlukowskiKenneth A. Klukowski, highlighted.

Adam KorzeniewskiAdam Korzeniewski, highlighted.

Bethany KozmaBethany Kozma, highlighted.

Matthew KozmaMatthew Kozma, highlighted.

Julius Krein

Stanley Kurtz

David LaCerteDavid LaCerte, highlighted.

Paul J. Larkin

Paul LawrencePaul Lawrence, highlighted.

James R. Lawrence IIIJames R. Lawrence III, highlighted.

Nathan Leamer

David LegatesDavid Legates, highlighted.

Marlo Lewis

Ben Lieberman

John LigonJohn Ligon, highlighted.

Evelyn LimEvelyn Lim, highlighted.

Morgan Lorraine ViñaMorgan Lorraine Viña, highlighted.

Mario LoyolaMario Loyola, highlighted.

John G. Malcolm

Joseph Masterman

Earl MatthewsEarl Matthews, highlighted.

Dan Mauler

Drew McCall

Trent McCotterTrent McCotter, highlighted.

Micah MeadowcroftMicah Meadowcroft, highlighted.

Edwin Meese III

Jessica Melugin

Frank Mermoud

Mark Miller

Cleta Mitchell

Kevin E. MoleyKevin E. Moley, highlighted.

Caitlin Moon

Clare MorellClare Morell, highlighted.

Mark MorganMark Morgan, highlighted.

Hunter MorgenHunter Morgen, highlighted.

Rachel Morrison

Jonathan Moy

Iain Murray

Ryan Nabil

Michael Nasi

Lucian NiemeyerLucian Niemeyer, highlighted.

Nazak NikakhtarNazak Nikakhtar, highlighted.

Milan NikolichMilan Nikolich, highlighted.

Kathy Nuebel KovarikKathy Nuebel Kovarik, highlighted.

Caleb Orr

Nina Owcharenko SchaeferNina Owcharenko Schaefer, highlighted.

Matt O’Brien

Michael PackMichael Pack, highlighted.

Leah PedersenLeah Pedersen, highlighted.

Michael PillsburyMichael Pillsbury, highlighted.

Patrick PizzellaPatrick Pizzella, highlighted.

Robert Poole

Christopher B. Porter

Kevin PreskenisKevin Preskenis, highlighted.

Pam PryorPam Pryor, highlighted.

Thomas Pyle

John RatcliffeJohn Ratcliffe, highlighted.

Paul RayPaul Ray, highlighted.

Joseph Reddan

Jay W. Richards

Jordan RichardsonJordan Richardson, highlighted.

Jason RichwineJason Richwine, highlighted.

Shaun Rieley

Lora RiesLora Ries, highlighted.

Leo Rios

Mark RobeckMark Robeck, highlighted.

James RockasJames Rockas, highlighted.

Mark Royce

Reed RubinsteinReed Rubinstein, highlighted.

William Ruger

Austin Ruse

Brent D. Sadler

Jon Sanders

Carla SandsCarla Sands, highlighted.

David Sauve

Brett D. Schaefer

Matt SchuckMatt Schuck, highlighted.

Justin SchwabJustin Schwab, highlighted.

Jon Schweppe

Marc Scribner

Darin SelnickDarin Selnick, highlighted.

Josh Sewell

Kathleen Sgamma

Matt Sharp

Judy SheltonJudy Shelton, highlighted.

Nathan SimingtonNathan Simington, highlighted.

Loren SmithLoren Smith, highlighted.

Zack Smith

Jack Spencer

Adrienne SperoAdrienne Spero, highlighted.

Thomas W. Spoehr

Peter St Onge

Chris StanleyChris Stanley, highlighted.

Paula M. StannardPaula M. Stannard, highlighted.

Parker Stathatos

William SteigerWilliam Steiger, highlighted.

Kenny Stein

Robby Stephany Saunders

Corey StewartCorey Stewart, highlighted.

Mari StullMari Stull, highlighted.

Katharine T. SullivanKatharine T. Sullivan, highlighted.

Brett Swearingen

Michael Sweeney

Robert SwopeRobert Swope, highlighted.

Aaron SzaboAaron Szabo, highlighted.

Katy TalentoKaty Talento, highlighted.

Tony TataTony Tata, highlighted.

Todd ThurmanTodd Thurman, highlighted.

Brett Tolman

Kayla M. TonnessenKayla M. Tonnessen, highlighted.

Joe Trotter

Tevi Troy

Clayton TuftsClayton Tufts, highlighted.

Erin Valdez

Mark VandroffMark Vandroff, highlighted.

Jessica M. Vaughan

John Venable

Andrew N. Vollmer

Greg Walcher

C. Wallace DeWittC. Wallace DeWitt, highlighted.

David M. Walsh

Erin WalshErin Walsh, highlighted.

Jacklyn Ward

Emma Waters

Alexander William Salter

Michael WilliamsMichael Williams, highlighted.

Aaron Wolff

Jonathan WolfsonJonathan Wolfson, highlighted.

Alexei WoltornistAlexei Woltornist, highlighted.

Frank WucoFrank Wuco, highlighted.

Cesar Ybarra

John ZadroznyJohn Zadrozny, highlighted.

Laura Zorc

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