Undercover in Project 2025

Summary

Undercover reporters meet with Russ Vought, a key figure in drafting 'Project 2025,' a controversial 920-page blueprint for Trump's second term. The plan includes radical policies like eliminating the Department of Education and restricting abortion rights. Despite public disavowals, Vought reveals ongoing support from Trump's circle, detailing a secretive second phase with detailed transition plans for federal agencies, aiming to centralize government power under a potential second Trump administration.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ Two undercover reporters met with Russ Vought, a key architect of Project 2025, which is a radical plan for Trump's second term, in a hotel suite rigged with hidden cameras.
• ☕ Russ Vought, former director of The Office of Management and Budget, is known for his opposition to the Department of Education and his support for Christian nationalism.
• 🤝 Vought thanks Trump for his support of the Center for Renewing America, an organization that aims to implement the policies discussed in Project 2025.
• 📚 Project 2025 is a 920-page blueprint with ambitious goals, including the elimination of the Department of Education, mass firings of civil servants, and further restrictions on abortion rights.
• 🔥 The plans have become controversial, forcing Trump to publicly distance himself from them, though Vought suggests this is not a genuine disavowal.
• 🤫 Vought is involved in the secretive second phase of Project 2025, which involves creating detailed policy packets and executive orders for each federal agency, kept confidential to avoid public scrutiny.
• 🛡️ Vought aims to centralize government power under the president, including firing civil servants and ending the independence of agencies like the FBI and DOJ.
• 📖 He has prepared documents based on fringe legal theories arguing the president has the power to use the military against protesters, which could be used to maintain law and order.
• 🚫 Vought believes in a radical Christian nationalist agenda that could be realized under a second Trump presidency, including blocking funding for Planned Parenthood and restricting abortion.
• 🎯 Despite public backlash and the Trump campaign's attempts to distance from Project 2025, Vought has been chosen to write the Republican policy platform, indicating his influence within the campaign.
• 🔗 Vought is confident that his plans will be implemented regardless of who is appointed head of the Trump transition team, as he has the trust of key figures and can directly hand over his plans.

Q & A

Who is Russ Vought, and why is he significant in the context of Project 2025?

Russ Vought is the former director of the Office of Management and Budget under the Trump administration. He is a key architect of Project 2025, which is a radical plan designed for Trump's potential second term. Vought's involvement is significant as he leads efforts to centralize government power under the president and implement a Christian nationalist agenda.

What is Project 2025, and what are its main objectives?

Project 2025 is a 920-page blueprint that outlines radical policy changes for a potential second Trump administration. Its main objectives include eliminating the Department of Education, mass firings of civil servants, restricting abortion rights, and centralizing government power under the president. The project also includes plans to use the military to maintain law and order.

How has Trump publicly responded to Project 2025?

Trump has publicly distanced himself from Project 2025, stating that he knows nothing about it and has not seen the document. He describes it as a product of the radical right, contrasting it with the radical left. However, behind closed doors, Vought suggests that Trump's disavowal should not be taken seriously.

What role does the Heritage Foundation play in Project 2025?

The Heritage Foundation is the group running Project 2025. They are involved in coordinating the project's efforts and are present at key events, such as the conference for religious nationalists where journalists from the Center for Climate Reporting posed as donors to meet those involved in the project.

What is the 'second phase' of Project 2025, and why is it considered secretive?

The second phase of Project 2025 involves creating detailed policy packets, executive orders, and agenda items for each federal agency. This phase is considered secretive because these plans are kept confidential to avoid Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, which could expose them to public scrutiny.

How does Russ Vought view the 'deep state,' and what actions does he propose to counter it?

Russ Vought views the 'deep state' as a significant obstacle that frustrated Trump's agenda during his first term. To counter it, Vought proposes a radical centralization of government power under the president, including firing civil servants and ending the independence of agencies like the FBI and DOJ.

What is Russ Vought's stance on the Department of Education?

Russ Vought is opposed to the Department of Education, arguing that it is a department promoting critical race theory. As part of Project 2025, he supports the elimination of the Department of Education.

What is the relationship between Project 2025 and Christian nationalism?

Project 2025 is heavily influenced by Christian nationalist ideology. Vought and others involved in the project believe in rehabilitating Christian nationalism, and the project includes policies that reflect this worldview, such as further restricting abortion rights and promoting a pro-life agenda.

How does Project 2025 aim to handle public and media scrutiny?

To handle public and media scrutiny, Project 2025 avoids making its detailed plans publicly accessible. The project's second phase, in particular, is kept confidential to prevent it from being exposed through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The goal is to familiarize transition teams with the plans without leaving a paper trail.

What is the significance of Trump's relationship with Russ Vought despite public disavowals of Project 2025?

Despite Trump's public disavowals of Project 2025, his relationship with Russ Vought remains strong behind the scenes. Trump has supported Vought's organization and selected him to write the Republican policy platform. This indicates that Vought's ideas and Project 2025's goals align with Trump's vision for a potential second term.