Kozma Bethany Usaid
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on msnbc trump spox is in a video
as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump tries to downplay his connection to the far-right policy agenda known as Project 2025, ProPublica and Documented have just published dozens of training videos by the group that show how the conservative movement is gearing up for the next Republican administration.
It’s an effort led by the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank and other groups to remake the federal government, including by replacing civil servants with thousands of partisan political appointees who would help carry out the extreme policies envisioned by Project 2025. Many of the people who crafted the policy blueprint are former top Trump officials. The training videos include discussions about undoing climate policy, combatting diversity efforts, denying freedom of information requests and more.
“The first time that Trump … got elected, his operation was very unprepared. They did not have a bench of people ready. There was chaos, there was confusion, and that set back that administration for perhaps months, maybe even a year or two,” says ProPublica reporter Andy Kroll. “If he is elected again, that will not be the case.”
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Transcript
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org. It’s “War, Peace and the Presidency.” I’m Amy Goodman.
We look now at the far-right policy plan to overhaul the federal government, known as Project 2025. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is trying to downplay his connection to the plan. And last week, Kevin Roberts, head of the influential right-wing Heritage Foundation, postponed the release of his Project 2025 book until after the November election. The book’s foreword is written by Trump’s vice-presidential running mate, JD Vance.
Trump’s campaign insists it has no connection to the right-wing blueprint for immigration, almost a thousand pages long — a blueprint for immigration, reproductive rights, climate policy and more. But many of the key figures working for Project 2025 are former top Trump administration officials, some of them featured in newly released videos that were created for Project 2025’s Presidential Administration Academy.
In a major new development, the independent news outlets ProPublica and Documented have now published dozens of these videos, some of which we’ll feature today. In this clip, Trump’s former deputy chief of staff at USAID, the U.S. Agency for International Development, Bethany Kozma, discusses climate change.
BETHANY KOZMAN: Climate change, allegedly, is everywhere. And if the American people elect a conservative president, his administration will have to eradicate climate change references from absolutely everywhere. And according to our intelligence community, the number one threat facing our country today is — drum roll — climate change — not Russia, not China, not AI, climate change. This shows how the federal government is all in on this issue. And climate change activists wield a lot of power. This is an issue to pay attention to, as it has infiltrated every part of the federal government.
Now, when I think of climate change, I immediately think of population control, don’t you? I think about the people who don’t want you to have children because of the “impact” on the environment. Perhaps not everyone will make that connection, but after spending time in the international space trying to protect life, I can tell you that this is part of their ultimate goal: to control people.
AMY GOODMAN: That’s conservative activist and former Trump official Bethany Kozma in a newly released Project 2025 training video.
For more, we go to Washington, D.C., where we’re joined by Andy Kroll, investigative reporter for ProPublica, whose new exposé is headlined “Inside Project 2025’s Secret Training Videos.” ProPublica has posted the full 23 videos, totaling more than 14 hours of content, on its website.
Andy, welcome back to Democracy Now! Explain how you got the videos and their significance as we go through some of them.
ANDY KROLL: Yeah, the videos come from the Presidential Administration Academy, which is one of the main pillars of Project 2025. We’ve heard a lot about, you’ve talked about on this show, the extreme policy proposals that Project 2025 put out in its 900-page “Mandate for Leadership” document. What’s gotten less attention but is no less important to Project 2025’s long-term goal here is to train thousands of future political appointees, so that if a conservative president, which, of course, now means if Donald Trump — a conservative candidate wins in November and we have a Republican president, that there will be a bench of thousands of vetted and trained appointees who can go into the government and fill openings in that government, so that, as Project 2025 itself says on its website, that conservative administration can be ready from, quote-unquote, “day one.”
Now, these videos were provided to us by a source who had access to them. I won’t get into the sourcing on it, but with any kind of situation like this, the key things for us at ProPublica are: Are these videos real? Are they authentic? And are they newsworthy? Obviously the substance is newsworthy. In our reporting process, we talked to people who are in the videos. We verified them, authenticated them and fact-checked them ourself. And now we’ve published on them and, as you helpfully pointed out, also published all of these 23 videos, totaling more than 14 hours, on our website. Anyone watching today can go and watch them now....
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THE WORST POLITICAL APPOINTEES OF THE TRUMP ERA
BETHANY KOZMA
Deputy Chief of Staff
TRUMP SENDS ANTI-TRANS PRO-LIFER BETHANY KOZMA TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS CONFERENCE AT THE U.N.
March 22, 2018
Kozma has publicly campaigned against transgender students being given the right to use bathrooms which match their gender identity since 2016, when President Obama released guidance to public schools on the issue which was later withdrawn by the Trump administration.
"The silent majority must no longer be silent. With Trump, we now have a president who is focused on remedying the lawlessness of the prior administration," she wrote following the decision.
FEDERAL WATCHDOGS TARGET BULLYING, RETALIATION AT STATE DEPARTMENT
Many in the network are linked to Stephen Miller, an influential senior advisor to the president who oversees the Domestic Policy Council at the White House...Kozma has injected politics into traditional technical deliberations, seeking, for instance, to remove any reference to issues such as reproductive rights and gender from United Nations resolutions, according to several officials.
September 7, 2018
U.S. FOREIGN AID AGENCY DEFENDS POLITICAL APPOINTEES WHO WROTE ANTI-LGBT, ANTI-ISLAM POSTS
In addition, ProPublica reported that Bethany Kozma, previously an anti-transgender activist who wrote in 2016 that transgender girls are boys “claiming gender confusion,” had taken a new position as USAID’s deputy chief of staff.
June 9, 2020
ERASED FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S DRAFT OF A KEY FOREIGN AID POLICY: ANY MENTION OF LGBT PEOPLE
One official involved in the policy update process was Bethany Kozma, the USAID deputy chief of staff. Before joining the Trump administration in 2017, Kozma advocated against Obama-era guidelines that schools allow transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity. During her time in the administration, she has played a key role in advancing conservative causes globally, such as opposing references to sexual and reproductive health in United Nations documents.
August 20, 2020
THE INSIDE STORY OF USAID'S TUMULTUOUS YEAR
January 6, 2021
In June, Barsa released a statement defending the appointees who had received negative press coverage. He voiced his support for Bethany Kozma, a deputy chief of staff who sources described to Devex as the conduit between USAID and more extreme members of the administration; Merritt Corrigan, a deputy White House liaison with a history of making anti-LGBTQ comments and arguing that women should remain at home; and Mark Kevin Lloyd, a religious freedom adviser who described Islam as a “barbaric cult.”
Barsa expressed his full confidence in each of them and condemned “unwarranted and malicious attacks” in the press.
USAID CHIEF PLANS TO BLOCK LAST-MINUTE PUSH TO ADD TRUMP LOYALISTS
At USAID, Bethany Kozma, the agency’s deputy chief of staff, led the effort, which sought to short-circuit the agency’s competitive hiring process and to favor political allies over career employees and veterans, who have traditionally received preferential treatment in the hiring process, according to U.S. officials. Kozma, a former campaigner for limits on school bathroom access for transgender students, made the hiring of allies her No. 1 priority, according to two USAID officials.
January 13, 2021
trumpallstars@gmail.com
GGL 2 25
The Guardian
Project 2025 mainly led by ex-Trump officials, leaked videos reveal
Newly leaked training videos confirm how the staffing initiative of Project 2025, the controversial rightwing plan for the next Republican presidency, is...
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GLAAD
Bethany Kozma
Reporting reveals that Bethany Kozma said during closed-door meetings at the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women that the United States...
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Leaked Project 2025 videos: ‘Eradicate’ climate references
A training video produced by a conservative presidential transition effort urges political appointees to “look for climate change language...
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The Trump administration has reportedly sent a delegate who once called trans children "gender confused" and described the US as a "pro-life nation" to a...
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'You Weirdo!': 'Daily Show' Exposes Cringiest Trump Allies Behind Project 2025
Desi Lydic revealed some of the people expected to shape a potential second Trump administration.
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Project 2025 video says a conservative administration should ‘eradicate’ climate change references
A training video associated with Project 2025 — a controversial playbook for a future conservative presidency by the right-wing Heritage...
.Aug 12, 2024
Esquire
Get a Load of Project 2025’s Horrifying Series of “Training” Videos
The Project 2025 videos coach future appointees on everything from the nuts and bolts of governing to how to outwit bureaucrats.
.Aug 12, 2024
MSNBC News
Leaked videos show how Trump’s allies plan to equate abortion with murder
Project 2025 lays out multiple anti-abortion plans, including revoking FDA approval of mifepristone and using the Comstock Act as a means of...
.Aug 16, 2024
BuzzFeed News
Trump Administration Appoints Anti-Transgender Activist To Gender Equality Post
"To put it simply, a boy claiming gender confusion must now be allowed in the same shower, bathroom, or locker room with my daughter," wrote...
.Jun 29, 2017
[### Bethany Kozma Trump All Stars
https://www.trumpallstars.com › bethany-kozma](https://www.trumpallstars.com/bethany-kozma)
Kozma has publicly campaigned against transgender students being given the right to use bathrooms which match their gender identity since 2016.
[### Bethany Kozma
Equity Forward
https://equityfwd.org › global-spotlight › trump › bethan...](https://equityfwd.org/global-spotlight/trump/bethany-kozma)
Bethany Kozma joined USAID in June 2017 as Senior Advisor for Women's Empowerment, and was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff of the agency in March 2020. She ...
Missing: keystone | Show results with: keystone
[### Conservative Governance 101
Project 2025
https://www.project2025.org › Training](https://www.project2025.org/training/conservative-governance-101/)
Hidden Meanings: The Monsters in the Attic Bethany Kozma, Keystone Policy Katie Sullivan, 1792 Exchange. 6. How to Work With the Media Alexei Woltornist ...
[### Biden Admin Moves to Expand Title IX Protections ...
BestColleges.com
https://www.bestcolleges.com › news › biden-expands-tit...](https://www.bestcolleges.com/news/biden-expands-title-ix-protections-lgbtq-students/)
Jun 23, 2022 — ... Bethany Kozma of Keystone Policy. Some schools already skirt Title IX rules and discriminate against LGBTQ+ people via religious exemptions.
[### Board of Advisors
The American Family Project
https://staging.amfamproject.org › board-of-advisors](https://staging.amfamproject.org/board-of-advisors/)
Bethany Kozma is the founder and CEO of Keystone Policy, a non-profit focused on the keystone policies protecting life, religious liberty, and the family.
[### Prepared to Serve
Project 2025
https://www.project2025.org › Training](https://www.project2025.org/training/prepared-to-serve/)
The Prepared to Serve certificate program provides aspiring appointees with background information about the role of political appointees in federal service.
[### PEPFAR Funds Comprehensive Sexuality Education ...
The Washington Stand
https://washingtonstand.com › news ›](https://washingtonstand.com/news/-pepfar-funds-comprehensive-sexuality-education-overseas-experts-warn)
Sep 11, 2023 — Kozma said PEPFAR funds comprehensive sexuality education through the “DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe)” ...
[### The Many Links Between Project 2025 and Trump's World
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com › U.S. › Politics](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/10/22/us/politics/project-2025-trump-heritage-foundation.html)
Oct 22, 2024 — Bethany Kozma. Keystone Policy. Deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Matthew Kozma. Chief information officer ...
Project · Also pledged to do · Heritage Foundation Makes...
[### Position: Bethany Kozma, Keystone Policy - LittleSis
Little Sis
https://littlesis.org › relationships](https://littlesis.org/relationships/1980127)
Position: Bethany Kozma, Keystone Policy · Bethany Kozma has/had a position (CEO) at Keystone Policy. Title, CEO. Start Date, 2022-03-24. Executive, yes ...
[### Bethany Kozma
GLAAD
https://glaad.org › gap › bethany-kozma](https://glaad.org/gap/bethany-kozma/)
Bethany Kozma said during closed-door meetings at the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women that the United States was a “pro-life nation.”
Missing: keystone | Show results with: keystone
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[### Board of Advisors
The American Family Project
https://amfamproject.org › board-of-advisors](https://amfamproject.org/board-of-advisors/)
Kevin Garvey is an attorney for Jones Day where he counsels clients in international trade, foreign investment, and national security matters and represents ...
[### Bethany Kozma Trump All Stars
https://www.trumpallstars.com › bethany-kozma](https://www.trumpallstars.com/bethany-kozma)
Kozma has publicly campaigned against transgender students being given the right to use bathrooms which match their gender identity since 2016, ...
[### Bethany Kozma
GLAAD
https://glaad.org › gap › bethany-kozma](https://glaad.org/gap/bethany-kozma/)
—Partnered with anti-LGBTQ hate groups including Family Research Council in a campaign to overturn the Obama Department of Education guidance for transgender ...
[### Bethany Kozma is a board member for fascist Project 2025. ...
Threads
https://www.threads.net › @suspersists](https://www.threads.net/@suspersists/post/C8fj7Vzxugw?hl=en)
Jun 21, 2024 — “Bethany Kozma is the founder and CEO of Keystone Policy, a non-profit focused on the keystone policies protecting life, religious liberty ...
[### PEPFAR Funds Comprehensive Sexuality Education ...
The Washington Stand
https://washingtonstand.com › news ›](https://washingtonstand.com/news/-pepfar-funds-comprehensive-sexuality-education-overseas-experts-warn)
Sep 11, 2023 — While pro-life advocates warn that the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) subsidizes non-governmental organizations ...
[### Conservative Governance 101
Project 2025
https://www.project2025.org › Training](https://www.project2025.org/training/conservative-governance-101/)
Throughout the Conservative Governance 101 certificate program, you will learn from a distinguished roster of former political appointees who will impart ...
[### Prepared to Serve
Project 2025
https://www.project2025.org › Training](https://www.project2025.org/training/prepared-to-serve/)
Christopher Malagisi, Hillsdale College (D.C.). 3. Why Your Service Matters: How Presidential Appointees at All Levels Impact Policy Derrick Morgan, Roger ...
[### February 5, 2024 The Honorable Mike Johnson The ...
American Legislative Exchange Council
https://alec.org › wp-content › uploads › 2024/02](https://alec.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-0205-AAF-Defund-UNRWA-Letter-FINAL.pdf)
Feb 5, 2024 — Congress must defund UNRWA in the next appropriations vehicle that becomes law. Thank you,. Paul Teller. Ambassador David Friedman. Executive ...
5 pages
[### Bethany Kozma, known for her conservative activism ...
Threads
https://www.threads.net › @tomwellborn3](https://www.threads.net/@tomwellborn3/post/C8fmHQFPOHw?hl=en)
Jun 21, 2024 — Tom L. Wellborn (@tomwellborn3). 1 Reply. 3 Likes. Bethany Kozma, known for her conservative activism, served in the Trump administration at ...
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