[News Terms] "You Have It All Planned"... The Blueprint of US Conservatives 'Project2025'

"I have no connection to Project 2025"

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump once again denied allegations of ties to 'Project 2025,' raised by Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The U.S. presidential debate held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, starting at 9 p.m. local time on the 10th, was the first public confrontation between the two candidates.

'Project 2025' or the '2025 Presidential Transition Project' is a concept and plan established in 2022 by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative American think tank, in preparation for the next conservative administration, namely a potential Trump re-election. This foundation has published policy recommendation books for conservative governments every election season.

Mandate for Leadership 2025 [Photo by Project 2025 website]

The controversy centers on the latest edition of the 922-page 'Mandate for Leadership 2025' released last April. This book details Project 2025. The project is composed of four pillars: 'Policy, Personnel, Training, and Strategy (Playbook).' Through these pillars, it outlines a 180-day transition strategy to rapidly implement plans such as a massive administrative overhaul, expansion of presidential powers, and the infusion of conservative Christian values.

The book is characterized by aggressive and radical language and content. From the opening section titled 'A Note On “PROJECT 2025,”' it states, "Our goal is to assemble an army of aligned, vetted, trained, and prepared conservatives. We go to work on day one to dismantle the administration." While it is common for political parties or groups to plan policies to regain or maintain power, Project 2025 is composed of such extreme and unrestrained content.

The most notable proposal is to dismantle the U.S. central bank, the Federal Reserve, and introduce a free banking system. Paul Winfree, a former Trump administration aide involved in Project 2025, said, "Free banking will bring stable and sound currency and a strong financial system," adding, "The next administration should consider the possibility of returning to the gold standard."

The revival of 'Schedule F' also stands out. Schedule F is an executive order that allows public officials to be dismissed at any time. It was implemented by the Trump administration in 2020 but was abolished when the Biden administration took office. If the Trump administration succeeds in regaining power, it essentially declares that public officials will be replaced only with individuals loyal to former President Trump. The book also includes numerous policy recommendations such as transferring the Department of Justice and FBI directly under the president and nullifying the Biden administration's executive orders on climate change response.

American citizens watching the presidential candidate TV debate
Photo by Yonhap News

In this TV debate, Vice President Harris pointed out, "Donald Trump has a dangerous plan called Project 2025." She continued, "You will hear an old, worn-out playbook, countless lies, grievances, and insults," calling it "a dangerous and detailed playbook called Project 2025." In response, former President Trump rebutted, "That is outside my jurisdiction, and I have not read it nor will I read it."

Among the 37 authors of the core agenda of this project, 27 are former Trump administration officials or close associates. This is why allegations of connections to former President Trump continue to be raised.