Trump distanced himself from Project 2025 during his campaign. Now he’s tapped several people tied to the controversial manifesto to serve in his administration.
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Donald Trump listens while Russell Vought speaks during an executive order signing regarding federal regulations in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Oct. 9, 2019, in DC.
When news first broke this summer about Project 2025, the conservative mandate for reshaping the federal government, then-candidate Donald Trump immediately distanced himself from the plan, calling some of it “ridiculous and abysmal.”
Fast forward several months, and Trump, now the president-elect, has announced his intention to place several architects of the plan into top positions in his administration.
Project 2025 is a 900-page “presidential transition” plan that consists of a playbook for the first 180 days in office. A coalition of conservative groups organized by The Heritage Foundation, a Washington think tank, developed the plan to “rescue the country.” Some of its more controversial elements include elimination of government agencies, boosting the number of political appointees in government jobs and a vast consolidation of federal authority under the president.
Though Trump spent much of his campaign distancing himself from Project 2025, soon after he won the presidential election, questions resurfaced about whether his administration would enact the plan. Some of his appointments have appeared to validate the Project 2025 agenda, but Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt has warned against reading too much into the administration nods.
“President Trump never had anything to do with Project 2025,” she said in a November statement. “All of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trump's agenda, not the agenda of outside groups.”
Here’s a look at people linked to Project 2025 who have been tapped for the Trump administration:
Russell Vought
Trump picked Russell Vought to serve as his director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought, who will have to be confirmed by the Senate, held the same role in the first Trump administration.
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Russell Vought speaks during a press briefing at the White House in DC on March 11, 2019.
As the agency’s chief, Vought would help the president prioritize policy initiatives and how to fund them.
“Russ has spent many years working in Public Policy in Washington, D.C., and is an aggressive cost cutter and deregulator who will help us implement our America First Agenda across all Agencies,” Trump said in a statement. “Russ knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State and end Weaponized Government, and he will help us return Self Governance to the People.”
Vought was included as one of the authors of Project 2025, and wrote a portion of Section 1: “Taking the Reins of Government.”
Tom Homan
Trump tapped Tom Homan to serve as his new “border czar.” Homan, who will not need Senate confirmation, previously served as Trump’s acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during the first administration.
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Thomas Homan speaks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee.
As “border czar,” Homan will focus on the southern border, the northern border, all maritime and aviation security and deportations, according to Trump.
“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin,” Trump posted on social media.
Homan was a visiting fellow for the Heritage Foundation and a contributor to Project 2025.
Brendan Carr
Trump selected Brendan Carr as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Carr, who was previously confirmed by the Senate, currently serves as the senior Republican commissioner on the FCC and served as the commission’s general counsel prior to that.
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Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission Brendan Carr speaks during the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, on Feb. 24, 2024.
As chairman, Carr will be in charge of regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband.
“Commissioner Carr is a warrior for Free Speech, and has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans’ Freedoms, and held back our Economy. He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America’s Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America,” Trump said in a statement.
Carr authored the section of Project 2025 focused on the FCC where he listed “reigning in Big Tech” as his top priority.
John Ratcliffe
Trump picked John Ratcliffe to serve as CIA director for his new administration. Ratcliffe, who will require Senate confirmation to serve in the role, previously served as director of national intelligence for the final months of Trump's first term.
Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe testifies before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic April 18, 2023 in DC.
As CIA director, Ratcliffe will manage intelligence collection, counterintelligence and liaison relationships with foreign services, among other things.
“John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public,” Trump said in a statement.
Ratcliffe is listed as a contributor to Project 2025, which calls for potentially moving some departments of the CIA outside of Virginia and replacing mid-level staff with people loyal to the president.
Pete Hoekstra
Trump nominated Pete Hoekstra as the ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra, who will need Senate approval to serve as ambassador, is the Michigan Republican party chairman. Previously he served in the House as representative for Michigan's 2nd District and as the ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term.
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Michigan GOP Chairman Pete Hoekstra arrives to hear former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump deliver remarks on the economy, inflation, and manufacturing during a campaign event at Alro Steel in Potterville, Michigan, on August 29, 2024.
“I overhauled the disastrous NAFTA Agreement, the worst Trade Deal in the History of the United States, which was switched to the USMCA (Mexico/Canada), which no one thought could be done. We brought Trade with Mexico and Canada to a level playing field for our wonderful Farmers and Working Families. In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement.
Hoekstra is listed as a contributor to Project 2025.
Karoline Leavitt
Trump picked Karoline Leavitt to serve as White House Press Secretary. Leavitt, who will not need Senate confirmation, worked as the Trump campaign’s national press secretary and previously served as assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term.
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Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump's former campaign press secretary, arrives for his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 29, 2024 in New York City.
As press secretary, Leavitt will be the public face of the administration. Typically the press secretary holds regular briefings for the press corps, though Trump did not keep that tradition in his first term, opting instead to post on social media.
“Karoline Leavitt did a phenomenal job as the National Press Secretary on my Historic Campaign, and I am pleased to announce she will serve as White House Press Secretary,” Trump said in a statement. “Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People.”
Leavitt appeared in a Project 2025 training video as part of a “Conservative Governance 101” course, a resource for potential political appointees.
James Braid
The Trump campaign announced in a statement that James Braid was tapped to serve as deputy assistant to the president and director of the Office of Legislative Affairs. Braid, who will not require Senate approval, previously served as Vice President-elect JD Vance’s lead policy staffer during his term in the Senate. He also worked in legislative affairs at the Office of Management and Budget during Trump’s first term.
Braid taught a training course for Project 2025 titled “Congression Relations: How to Work With Members.”
Tags: Donald Trump, politics, John Ratcliffe, Pete Hoekstra, J.D. Vance
