Project 2025 director criticizes Heritage president's rhetoric

In the United States, Paul Dans, who resigned as the head of Project 2025 in July 2024, has publicly denounced Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, for his inflammatory remarks made during a podcast. Dans believes that Roberts' comments, which were interpreted as veiled threats against leftwingers, significantly undermined the credibility of Project 2025, a conservative initiative aimed at overhauling the US government. The project faced increased scrutiny following these remarks, which coincided with Donald Trump's efforts to distance himself from it. Roberts had previously stated that the country was undergoing a 'second American Revolution,' which he claimed would remain bloodless if the left did not resist. This rhetoric intensified concerns about the project, which includes controversial proposals such as mass firings of civil servants and restrictions on reproductive rights. Trump's subsequent disavowal of the project was seen as a strategic move to mitigate political fallout as Democrats highlighted its more radical elements. Dans has called for a more responsible approach to political discourse, emphasizing that if the left is to be asked to tone down its rhetoric, conservatives must also do their part. He specifically urged JD Vance, Trump's running mate, to retract a foreword he wrote for Roberts' upcoming book, which has been criticized for its violent undertones. The controversy surrounding Roberts' comments and the project reflects broader tensions within the Republican Party as it navigates its identity and strategy leading up to the presidential election.