Trump Administration Nominations Include Project 2025 Contributors
(WASHINGTON) — Although initially distancing himself from Project 2025 during his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated several individuals associated with the initiative to join his administration. Project 2025, a comprehensive set of conservative policy proposals, has been a point of contention, especially among Democrats who view it as a forewarning of Trump’s agenda.
Trump previously labeled the Project 2025 proposals as “extreme, seriously extreme” during a rally on July 20, emphasizing his lack of involvement: “I don’t know anything about it. I don’t want to know anything about it.” Despite this, many contributors to the document are now set to play roles in his incoming administration.
Project 2025, an extensive 900-page document crafted by The Heritage Foundation, outlines policy changes such as restricting abortion and birth control pills, altering Medicare access, and dismantling certain federal agencies. These proposals mirror aspects of Trump’s own Agenda47, which includes plans to abolish the Department of Education, bolster fossil fuel production, and initiate mass deportations.
During a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump maintained his distance from the project: “This was a group of people that got together, they came up with some ideas, I guess some good, some bad, but it makes no difference. I have nothing to do [with it].” Nevertheless, several contributors are poised for significant roles.
Russ Vought
Russ Vought, who contributed a chapter on the Executive Office of the President for Project 2025, has been nominated to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Vought previously served in this capacity during Trump’s first term, where he was influential in shaping executive policies and managing federal spending.
In Project 2025, Vought argued for reducing the autonomy of federal regulatory agencies and suggested using existing tools to consolidate executive power. In an interview on the “Tucker Carlson Show,” he stated his previous efforts to assist Trump, including funding for the border wall through the Department of Defense.
Pete Hoekstra
Pete Hoekstra, a contributor to the project, is nominated to be the ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra has a history as the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands and recently served as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party.
Stephen Miller
Stephen Miller, a former Trump aide involved with Project 2025, is set to be Deputy Chief of Staff. He claims he had “zero involvement” with the project aside from creating an advice video for students. Miller’s organization, America First Legal, was listed on the project’s advisory board.
Brendan Carr
Brendan Carr, nominated as the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), authored Project 2025’s recommendations for the FCC, which include banning TikTok and altering social media moderation. Carr has previously served on the FCC, nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden.
John Ratcliffe
John Ratcliffe, a contributor to Project 2025, is set to become the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. A three-term Republican congressman, Ratcliffe previously served as the Director of National Intelligence during Trump’s first term.
Tom Homan
Tom Homan has been chosen as Trump’s “border czar,” overseeing the mass deportations policy outlined in Project 2025. Homan, who contributed to the project, will focus on expanding ICE’s “expedited removal” authority and enhancing detention facilities.
Additional Project 2025 Connections
Several other figures connected to Project 2025 are poised to influence the Trump administration’s policy direction. Christopher Miller, Ben Carson, Adam Candeub, and Bernard L. McNamee have provided recommendations for various departments, aligning with Trump’s past and potential future policies.
Other advisors, such as Ed Martin and Lisa Correnti, are also linked to Project 2025, either through contributions or advisory roles.
For more information about these developments, readers can refer to ABC News.
