Staff Reports
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 is losing its captain, and it can only be described as a move orchestrated in the shadows, likely driven by pressure from the left. Paul Dans, who held the fort as director of this ambitious initiative aimed at reshaping the federal landscape, announced his departure, effective at the end of August. Having previously served as chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management under President Trump, Dans would appear to be the latest causal ingredient in the left’s attempt to discredit a truly noble cause. The left loves to vilify any earnest attempt to shrink government and uphold conservative values, and Dans’ exit seems to validate their narrative rather than challenge it.
Project 2025 aimed to lay out a systematic plan for a future Trump administration, offering a buffet of policies designed to reduce spending and realign Washington with the principles laid out in the Constitution. This wasn’t just about ideation; it was a strategic playbook to ensure that a new administration could swiftly assume control over key government positions that often impede conservative governance. Despite its noble purpose, Trump’s campaign has denied any connection to Project 2025, effectively tossing it under the bus at the first sight of criticism, demonstrating a peculiar reluctance to own their past strategies.
— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) July 30, 2024
Dans, in a farewell missive to his team, expressed a sense of accomplishment, claiming the objective of uniting conservative organizations in dismantling the administrative state had been met. One would expect a defeated figure to lament their failed mission, yet Dans sounds invigorated, emphasizing that this tool can be wielded by any administration committed to conservative principles. With the electoral season breathing down their necks, his intention to pivot towards the upcoming election indicates a strategic shift rather than an admission of defeat.
Trump’s campaign has made clear that Project 2025 is not part of their agenda, a tactic that appears to be an effort at distancing from potential backlash. The lesson here is straightforward: when the left corners any conservative effort, the instinct is to disassociate and run. This pattern not only reveals a defensive posture but also substantiates the notion that there’s an ongoing struggle against a federal bureaucracy rife with adversaries. As Trump prepares for another potential term, he must assemble a team with a reliable action plan to counteract the inevitable partisan sabotage from entrenched bureaucrats.
Ultimately, the significance of Dans’ exit may be overblown. The mainstream media’s fixation on Project 2025 indicates their desperation to undermine any conservative undertaking. While they may momentarily gloat over this development, it serves as a reminder that disarray can often be a strategic retreat. Just as previous administrations faced challenges, Trump’s proposed second term will require a keen eye for assembling a more disciplined team, one prepared to fight for the conservative ideals that Project 2025 sought to promote. With the winds of change blowing again, it remains to be seen how this potential for renewed discipline will unfold in the lead-up to the next election cycle.
