Project 2025 Leader Resigns After Trump's Criticism

The leader of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, Paul Dans, has resigned following ongoing criticism from former President Donald Trump and Democratic efforts to associate the initiative with Trump's campaign. Launched in April 2022, Project 2025 aims to provide a framework for a future Republican administration to reform various aspects of the U.S. government, although it is not officially linked to Trump's campaign. Trump has publicly denounced the project, labeling it "absolutely ridiculous and abysmal," as the Biden campaign highlighted the conservative plan's potential to deter voters from supporting Trump in a second presidential run. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts confirmed Dans' departure in a statement, emphasizing the project's achievements under his leadership. Roberts noted that Project 2025 successfully united over 110 conservative organizations to develop a cohesive vision aimed at reducing the power of the administrative state and returning authority to the populace. He reiterated the project's commitment to completing its policy drafting by the end of the party conventions this year, expressing gratitude for Dans' contributions and leadership over the past two years. In response to Dans' resignation, the Trump campaign reiterated its stance that Project 2025 is unrelated to its efforts, stating that any claims of the project's significance to Trump's campaign are misleading. The campaign welcomed the news of Dans' departure, suggesting it serves as a warning to those misrepresenting their connection to Trump and his political agenda.