TL/DR –
Donald Trump’s key campaign slogan for his second, non-consecutive term is “drain the swamp,” aimed at controlling the federal bureaucracy. A 922-page handbook, known as Project 2025, organized and published by the right-wing Heritage Foundation with the cooperation of more than 100 conservative organizations, outlines a plan to fill positions in the civil service with loyalists, implementing far-right priorities across government agencies. The plan is characterized as restoring “self-governance to everyday Americans,” however, it has been described as a comprehensive authoritarian takeover of the American government and a threat to checks and balances.
Trump’s “Drain The Swamp” Slogan Still Resonates In Second Presidential Quest
Donald Trump, on his second run for presidency, has retained his 2016 campaign promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C. This refers to his intent to eliminate individuals who impose policies yet remain unaccountable to the president. If he wins in November, he’ll have a detailed strategy to bring the entire federal bureaucracy under his direct control.
This strategy, effectively a guide to taking down the government’s administrative structure, has been drafted with the help of over 100 conservative organizations. It is encapsulated in a 922-page manual titled Project 2025, a creation of the right-wing Heritage Foundation.
Thomas Zimmer, a visiting professor at Georgetown University, describes Project 2025 as a “comprehensive authoritarian takeover of American government.” Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, on The War Room with Stephen K. Bannon podcast, stated, “We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless — if the left allows it to be.”
Despite the controversial statements, Trump claimed ignorance about Project 2025 on his Truth Social platform, disagreeing with some of the project’s assertions. Interestingly though, several key appointees from his administration were among those who contributed to Project 2025. Some are reportedly assisting Trump’s re-election behind the scenes.
Project 2025 also includes plans to restore Schedule F, a classification which allows the president to easily appoint loyalists in civil service positions. This could enable thousands of appointees to implement far-right priorities, such as detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants, dismantling social safety nets, infusing Christian values into government policy, eliminating LGBTQ+ rights, directing the Justice Department to prosecute anti-white racism and banning pornography.
The project proposes stricter regulations on reproductive rights than what Trump and the upcoming Republican National Convention are advocating. However, Paul Dans, the project’s head, described Project 2025 as a restoration of “self-governance to everyday Americans” on C-SPAN, attributing its inspiration to Trump’s first presidential term.
The Heritage Foundation declined an interview request for this story but stressed in an email that Project 2025 doesn’t represent any candidate. Progressive Policy Institute President Will Marshall views the project as a “full Trumpian sort of document with an angry and highly polarizing tone.”
The project aligns with Trump’s stance on imposing hefty tariffs on imported goods and curbing America’s support for international organizations. Critics argue this could jeopardize prosperity and global leadership and influence.
President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign has made Project 2025 a key target. Vice President Kamala Harris revealed the project’s plans to cut Social Security, repeal the $35 cap on insulin, eliminate the Department of Education, and end programs like Head Start.
The project also intends to cut government funding for renewable energy and climate change mitigation, overhaul the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees the Voice of America. VOA, whose news content is independent of higher government control, should — according to Project 2025 — be supervised by either the National Security Council or the State Department.
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