Trump Denounces Conservative Blueprint for 2025 Agenda

Former President Donald Trump has distanced himself from a conservative blueprint for a potential second term, claiming "absolutely ridiculous" proposals and disavowing the "Presidential Transition Project" known as Project 2025. The effort, led by the Heritage Foundation, has been used by Democrats to target Trump's candidacy.

Former President Donald Trump has attempted to distance himself from a conservative blueprint for a potential second term, claiming "absolutely ridiculous" proposals and disavowing the "Presidential Transition Project" known as Project 2025.

Trump Denounces Conservative Blueprint for 2025 Agenda

Trump posted on Truth Social, claiming he had nothing to do with the initiative and disagreeing with some of its recommendations. He wrote, "I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they're saying, and some of the things they're saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal."

Project 2025, launched in April 2023, offers recommendations on how a future Republican president can enact conservative changes upon entering office. It is not associated with Trump's campaign. A Project 2025 spokesperson confirmed that the effort does not speak for any candidate or campaign.

Trump Denounces Conservative Blueprint for 2025 Agenda

Trump's decision to distance himself from the project follows criticism from Democrats about comments by Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts regarding a "second American Revolution." Roberts' remarks had been used by the Biden campaign and other Democrats to attack Trump's candidacy.

The Biden campaign has projected QR codes leading to a campaign page connecting Project 2025 to Trump, claiming it gives him "more power over your daily life" and "consolidates power in the Oval Office." Democrats have also criticized specific proposals in the project, such as overhauling the Justice Department and FBI.

Trump Denounces Conservative Blueprint for 2025 Agenda

Project 2025 has accused the Biden campaign of "obsessing" over the effort and suggested they should focus on the 25th Amendment instead.

Despite Trump's disavowal of Project 2025, the effort includes several former senior Trump administration officials. Paul Dans, the director of the project, served as chief of staff at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management under Trump. Russ Vought, who wrote one of the chapters, served as director of the Office of Management and Budget under Trump. And John McEntee, a senior adviser for the project, previously served as director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office in the Trump administration.

Trump Denounces Conservative Blueprint for 2025 Agenda

Trump has outlined his own plans to restructure the government if he wins a second term, including staging the largest deportation operation in U.S. history and imposing tariffs on potentially all imports. His campaign has cautioned allies not to presume to speak for the former president and suggested that their transition-in-waiting efforts were unhelpful.

Despite the proposals outlined in Project 2025, Trump has not yet officially announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. However, his actions and statements suggest that he is actively preparing for a potential campaign.