Article Summary –
Project 2025, a 922-page blueprint developed by the Heritage Foundation and other right-wing groups, proposes dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and eliminating federal financial supports like student loan forgiveness and affordable repayment plans, which critics argue would undermine decades of education protections and civil rights advancements. The plan advocates for school vouchers funded by local and state governments, a move that experts say benefits those already able to afford private schooling, and aims to reduce federal involvement in both K-12 and higher education, rebranding college as a luxury. Despite Trump’s claims of knowing nothing about the project, many of his former administration members contributed to it, and he has expressed support for the Heritage Foundation’s initiatives in the past.
Project 2025, the 922-page blueprint of potential right-wing policies for a Trump presidency, includes plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and make college less affordable.
Officially titled “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise,” this plan aims to guide a Republican administration in 2025. Compiled by the Heritage Foundation and 100 other conservative groups, 140 of its supporters previously served in the Trump administration.
The document, penned by Heritage Foundation’s Lindsay M. Burke, advocates for abolishing the Department of Education, undoing over 40 years of protections established since 1979.
“Project 2025 plans to reverse progress on civil rights and adopt models seen in Florida and Texas,” said Skye Perryman from Democracy Forward. “It jeopardizes student loan relief and federal financial aid.”
Josh Cowen, author of “The Privateers,” called the plan “radical and fringe.”
“Eliminating the Department means removing safeguards against discrimination and misuse of funds designated for disadvantaged communities,” Cowen explained.
A major focus is reversing Biden’s expanded discrimination protections for all sexual orientations and gender identities. The document claims Biden seeks to “gut the hard-earned rights of women,” which critics like Perryman argue is misleading.
“Project 2025 is devastating for women and girls, affecting reproductive healthcare and labor protections,” Perryman said.
Economically, Project 2025 aims to abolish affordable student loan repayment plans, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and federally backed student loans.
Cowen noted the plan reframes college as a luxury, discouraging higher education.
“It’s part of a larger attack on higher ed, making college seem expensive and elite,” he said.
Project 2025 also seeks to reduce federal involvement in K-12 education, advocating for state-funded school vouchers.
“This benefits those who can already afford private school,” Cowen said, noting that “70% of voucher users were already in private schools.”
Perryman argued that Project 2025 is both costly and dangerous.
“The goal is to strip away rights and reshape the government to serve political ideology rather than the needs of the majority,” she said.
Despite Trump claiming he “knows nothing” about Project 2025, many of his allies contributed to it. Paul Dans, who directed Project 2025 and served in the Trump administration, recently stepped down from the Heritage Foundation.
Trump expressed support for the Heritage Foundation’s plans during an April 2022 dinner, stating, “They’re laying out plans for our movement when we receive a mandate to save America.”
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