A significant claim made by President Trump during his 2024 presidential campaign has been challenged by an unlikely source: a Republican congressman. This revelation concerns Project 2025, a comprehensive strategy document for a potential Trump administration.
Project 2025 emerged as a contentious topic during the election cycle when Kamala Harris and her Democratic allies criticized it for containing radical policy proposals aimed at expanding presidential powers and advancing a conservative social agenda. Despite these allegations, Trump maintained he had “nothing to do with Project 25.”
However, Rep. John Rose (R-TN) has now contradicted this claim. Rose acknowledged that Project 2025 played a crucial role in enabling Trump to swiftly implement a series of executive orders that align with the document’s authoritarian and conservative themes.
During an interview with the Williamson Scene, Rose remarked, “How do you think the president was prepared to issue all these executive orders? How do you think they were prepared to make all of these appointments in such quick succession after he got into office? Project 2025.”
These comments precede Rose’s announcement of his gubernatorial campaign in Tennessee. Neither his office nor the White House have responded to requests for comment.
Trump’s attempts to distance himself from Project 2025 seem questionable, given the Heritage Foundation-led initiative was heavily populated with his former aides and staff. Following his recent election victory, Trump’s team has incorporated numerous Project 2025 contributors, such as Russell Vought, who authored a chapter on executive branch strategy and now leads the Office of Management and Budget, a key component of his vision for the administration.
The alignment of Trump’s current administration with the Project 2025 blueprint underscores the significance of this document. Rose’s statement may not be surprising, but it highlights an open acknowledgment of the project’s influence.
