Conservative Organizations Distance Themselves from Project 2025
Project 2025, a controversial 900-page manifesto, has become increasingly unpopular and politically toxic. As a result, the Trump and Vance campaign are attempting to distance themselves from the effort. Former Trump adviser Stephen Miller, who appeared in a promotional video for Project 2025, now claims to have had “zero involvement” with the project. Additionally, The Intercept recently discovered that two more conservative groups, including a national anti-abortion organization, have quietly withdrawn from the advisory board of Project 2025.
One of the first organizations to jump ship was America First Legal Foundation, led by Stephen Miller. Last week, the foundation requested to be removed from the Project 2025 advisory board webpage. However, America First Legal was deeply involved in writing and editing the Project 2025 playbook. Gene Hamilton, the foundation’s vice president and general counsel, drafted an entire chapter proposing the criminalization of mailing abortion pills. Hamilton acknowledged the assistance of the foundation’s staff in this endeavor.
According to Hamilton, one of the unique aspects of Project 2025 is the vast coalition of conservative groups that came together to craft it. He praised the collaboration between organizations and individuals who outlined their expectations for the next conservative administration. The Project 2025 playbook’s list of contributors includes three other America First attorneys: senior vice president Reed Rubinstein, legislative counsel John Zadrozny, and legal counsel Michael Ding.
When questioned about their decision to withdraw from the advisory board, America First Legal did not provide a response. Similarly, Americans United for Life, an anti-abortion group, and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a Michigan think tank, joined the Project 2025 advisory board but have since vanished from the list of participating groups.
Americans United for Life emphasized its non-partisan stance and its commitment to the pro-life movement. While the group’s philosophy and goals align with the anti-abortion proposals in the Project 2025 playbook, they believe maintaining a non-partisan posture during the election season will be more effective in fulfilling their mission. The Mackinac Center, on the other hand, stated that they offered recommendations on energy and labor issues to Project 2025 but did not endorse all the ideas presented in the manifesto.
The reasons behind these organizations’ initial decision to join the Project 2025 board and their subsequent exit remain unclear. Americans United for Life expressed gratitude to J.D. Vance for his contributions to the pro-life movement, indicating a shared commitment to the cause. The Mackinac Center requested the removal of their name from the advisory board due to disagreements with certain aspects of Project 2025.
The Heritage Foundation, the organization leading Project 2025, did not respond to inquiries about these defections. The growing number of conservative groups distancing themselves from the project raises questions about its viability and support within the conservative movement.
