The Director of Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 is announcing their resignation
Paul Dans, the leader of the Heritage Foundation’s contentious Project 2025, is resigning amidst intense scrutiny of the conservative plan.
Kevin Roberts, the head of the Heritage Foundation, verified that Dans has declared he is stepping down from his role.
“When we initiated Project 2025 in April 2022, we established a schedule for the project to finalize its policy creation after the two party conventions this year, and we are adhering to that timeline,” Roberts posted on X.
“Paul, who established the project from the ground up and boldly guided this effort for the past two years, will be exiting the team and advancing to the front where the battle continues,” he wrote.
Nevertheless, it appears that Project 2025 is not approaching its conclusion as Roberts also asserted that they will “persist in our endeavors to construct a staff apparatus for policymakers of all levels.”
Project 2025, arranged by the Heritage Foundation but supported by over 100 groups and written by various allies of Donald Trump, is a 922-page manuscript outlining conservative policy priorities.
It encompasses expanding executive authority, abolishing the Department of Education, removing the abortion pill mifepristone from circulation, reducing federal funding for renewable energy research, limiting social welfare programs, and more.
MORE: Trump is trying to distance himself from Project 2025 — but its architects helped shape his RNC party platform
The initiative has been a subject of contention in the 2024 race, as Democrats vigorously oppose what they’ve labeled its “hazardous” suggestions.
Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025, stating he was unaware “nothing” about it and had “no clue” who was responsible. However, several of the former president’s current and former advisors and appointees have authored or backed the project, including Christopher Miller and Ben Carson.
The Trump campaign cheered the news of Dans’ exit from the presidential transition initiative.
“Reports of Project 2025’s downfall would be greatly welcomed and should serve as a warning to anyone or any group attempting to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign — it will not end well for you,” campaign officials Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita wrote in a statement.
The Harris campaign on Tuesday swiftly tried to dampen the idea there’s a gap between potential second term Trump policies and Project 2025’s platform, emphasizing the close connections he has to members associated with the group.
“Project 2025 is on the ballot because Donald Trump is on the ballot. This is his agenda, penned by his allies, for Donald Trump to impose on our nation,” Harris for President campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement.