Project 2025 director leaves Heritage Foundation after Democrat attacks and Trump criticism
NEW YORK — The director of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 vision for a complete overhaul of the federal government has resigned, a spokesperson for the think tank confirmed on Tuesday.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said in a statement that the group is sticking to its original timeline and that Paul Dans’ departure comes after the project “accomplished exactly what it set out to do: bring together more than 110 leading conservative organizations to create a unified conservative vision motivated by delegating power from the unelected administrative state and giving it back to the people. This tool is built for use by any future administration.”
However, the news came after former President Donald Trump increasingly rejected and criticized Project 2025, fueling speculation that his campaign forced its withdrawal.
“President Trump’s campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the President in any way,” Trump campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said in a statement. “Any news of the demise of Project 2025 would be most welcome and should serve as a warning to anyone or any group attempting to misrepresent their influence on President Trump and his campaign — it will not end well for you.”
Many of Trump’s allies and former top advisers have contributed to the project, which proposes mass layoffs of government workers and sweeping changes to American life. Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and top Democrats have repeatedly linked Trump to Project 2025 while opposing a second term for Trump.
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Associated Press journalists Michelle L. Price in New York and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.
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