PROJECT 2025 - Dead On Arrival

Project 2025 is a policy agenda created by The Heritage Foundation and other conservative think tanks.

Most Republicans in Congress have not endorsed the full plan on record, although many agree with core concepts for a smaller and limited Federal Government.

Donald Trump has not endorsed Project 2025, although Democrat representatives and media have tried to attach it to him.

The media does not provide much detail, so here are the basics of the Project 2025 agenda:

1. Reducing the Size of Government: The project advocates for reducing the size and scope of the federal government, which includes cutting down on regulations and federal agencies.

2. Appointments and Staffing: It involves strategies for appointing like-minded individuals to key positions within the federal government to ensure the implementation of conservative policies.

3. Policy Changes: The plan encompasses a wide range of policy proposals, from economic and tax reforms to changes in immigration, healthcare, and environmental policies.

4. Judicial Appointments: A significant focus is on appointing judges who adhere to a conservative interpretation of the Constitution.

5. Federal Workforce Reforms: It includes proposals to reform the federal workforce, making it easier to hire and fire federal employees based on performance and policy alignment.

The most controversial details of the plan cover DEI and abortion:

DEI

Project 2025 includes significant provisions targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The plan calls for the complete removal of DEI from all federal rules, regulations, and operations. This includes deleting terms like "diversity," "equity," and "inclusion" from federal language and dismantling any DEI offices within government agencies. The rationale behind this is framed within a broader push against what the plan describes as "wokeness" within federal institutions.

Cogport View: 

The basic words of DEI are consistent with the founding principles of the American Republic.  Equality and Equal Opportunity are fundamental values of our culture and the Constitution.

Every individual should have an equal chance to pursue a position that maximizes the merit of their abilities and performance.  That is the basis of a meritocracy without discrimination based on race, gender, or ethnic origin.

The controversy enters when the government tries to enforce a policy of  “affirmative action”  which creates preferences for classes of people regardless of qualification.

No government entity should have the privilege to pick a “Favored Class.”   

It is unfair to people who seek a position on what should be a level playing field.  It is also unfair to people of race or gender who earn their position on merit and may be judged as someone picked in “Favor.”

ABORTION

Project 2025 proposes measures that could greatly limit abortion access.  It aims to revive the Comstock Act, which could criminalize mailing abortion pills and other abortion-related items, effectively curtailing medication abortions.  Additionally, it suggests a return to federal restrictions on abortion.

Cogport View:

The “Dobbs” decision by the Supreme Court overruled “Roe V. Wade” and took the Federal Government out of an issue that was never authorized by the Constitution in the first place.

That was the proper decision.  The issue of abortion is properly addressed by the States which is a fundamental principle of the Republic of States established by the Founding Fathers.

Contrary to the fears of many, the States have been establishing abortion laws that are well considered and approved by the citizens of the States.

For reference, Donald Trump has endorsed the policy of State control on this issue, allowing for abortion under certain circumstances. 

Democrats vary on the issue, but they seem to prefer a reintroduction of Federal Power.  That would be a mistake and out of keeping with the original intent of the Constitution.

David Hollaender          August 16, 2024

Cogport.com