Despite denying any involvement in Project 2025 – a controversial policy implementation plan, former US President Donald Trump is still believed to have been strongly influenced by the Heritage Foundation – the policy advisory body that organized the development of Project 2025.
Former US President Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters
Yesterday (August 16), a UK-based investigative journalism organization, CCR (The Centre for Climate Reporting), released a video clip containing a conversation with Mr. Russell Vought – a co-author of Project 2025. A famous figure on the right wing, Mr. Vought once led the US Office of Management and Budget (under the White House) under President Donald Trump.
### Controversial Policy: Secrets and Responses
A controversial video recently gained attention when CCR arranged for two people posing as representatives of major donors to meet with Mr. Vought at a luxury hotel in Washington D.C. During nearly two hours of unannounced recordings, Mr. Vought shared details about his behind-the-scenes work, especially his policy plans if former President Trump returns to the White House.
Mr. Vought revealed that his team was quietly drafting hundreds of executive orders, regulations and memos, in preparation for Mr. Trump’s political plans. These policies are expected to expand presidential power and tighten immigration, while also building “shadow” agencies to support the administration if Mr. Trump returns to power.
Mr. Vought’s response is that the content in the video is nothing new and affirms that he is not involved with former President Trump’s campaign. Meanwhile, a representative for Mr. Trump’s campaign declined to comment on the video.
Project 2025, which Mr. Vought mentioned, has been criticized for its policies that are considered too extreme, especially on immigration. The project has been in the works since 2022 and has become a controversial topic. Although Mr. Trump has insisted that he does not know who is behind Project 2025, The Washington Post published a photo showing Mr. Trump and Heritage Foundation strategist Kevin Roberts on a flight together in April 2022 to attend a Heritage Foundation event. Mr. Roberts also confirmed that he had discussed Project 2025 with Mr. Trump, although the Trump campaign has denied this.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts. Photo:Reuters
### The Heritage Foundation: A Study of Power and Influence
The Heritage Foundation, one of the leading policy research and advisory organizations in the United States and globally, has played an important role in setting policy for many Republican U.S. presidents. Under President Donald Trump, the Heritage Foundation has maintained significant influence on White House policies.
Just over a month after Trump took office on February 28, 2017, the Heritage Foundation held a major conference on Indo-Pacific strategy. The conference, which lasted until March 2, 2017, attracted experts from the Asia-Pacific region and required confidentiality. By November 2017, President Trump officially announced the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy, which is considered to have had a significant influence from the Heritage Foundation.
After Trump left the White House in 2021, three former Trump administration officials, Ken Cuccinelli, Mark A. Morgan, and Chad Wolf, joined the Heritage Foundation. They played key roles in implementing immigration policy. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who served under Trump, also joined the Heritage Foundation after leaving office.
In May 2022, the Heritage Foundation shifted its stance on the Ukraine conflict, criticizing Washington’s heavy aid to Kyiv. Since then, Trump has also become increasingly critical of Washington’s aid to Kyiv and current President Joe Biden’s policy toward Ukraine.
