Introduction

“I have nothing to do with Project 2025,” said President Donald Trump in the ABC News debate prior to being elected. At the time, he denied even reading the policy proposal, which was originally created by the Heritage Foundation. However, after his first weeks in office, some people are starting to think this may not actually be the case.

Trump has already signed many documents, called executive orders, that are very in line with the policy proposals outlined in Project 2025. An executive order is an official document through which the President manages the workings of the American government. According to WBALTV, Trump signed more executive orders in his first week than any of the past 15 presidents did in the same period. Many of these orders appear to contradict his earlier claim that he had no knowledge of Project 2025.

Trump vs. Project 2025

Many of the executive orders Trump has signed align closely with Project 2025. For example, on his first day in office (January 20, 2025), Trump signed an order entitled “UNLEASHING ALASKA’S EXTRAORDINARY RESOURCE POTENTIAL,” which allows the government to drill for oil and gas in Alaska. The order says that the United States has the right to “efficiently and effectively maximize the development and production of the natural resources located on both Federal and State lands within Alaska” (The White House). On the other hand, Project 2025 “proposed opening more areas of Alaskan wilderness owned by the federal government for oil and natural gas exploration and development” (MSNBC). Both plans allow for the drilling of natural resources in all parts of Alaska that belong to the U.S.

Similarly, another order Trump signed withdraws the US from the Paris Climate agreement. Project 2025 also called for the immediate withdrawal of the US from the agreement, so both Project 2025 and Trump’s executive order called for the removal of the U.S from the agreement.

As you can see, there are many similarities between Trump’s executive orders and the policies outlined in Project 2025.  This is the case with many of the orders Trump has signed during his second term.  

Immigration 

According to AP News, 10 of the executive orders Trump signed were related to immigration. Some will take immediate effect, and others may take years.

One of the first things Trump did in his presidency was to suspend the admission of refugees into the United States. He explained that in the last four years, immigration was at an all time high, and he did not believe this to be a good thing.

Another executive order Trump signed was an order entitled “PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION” (The White House). The order states that all illegal “aliens” must be deported and sent back to their home countries immediately. Trump says that undocumented immigrants are a threat to national security and the safety of all U.S citizens. As a result, people are being advised to keep their documents with them at all times in case they are asked for their immigration status. 

Trump also militarized the southern border, declaring it a national emergency and stating that immigrants coming through that border are making the country unsafe. However, these aren’t his only plans for immigration. Trump himself has said that he hopes to “launch the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America.” This is a large part of his 100 day plan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Trump may not have had anything to do with Project 2025 at the time of his campaign, but it seems to some people that this may not be the case now. Critics argue that the strong similarities between his executive orders and Project 2025 are unlikely to be a coincidence. Trump may not have written Project 2025, but he definitely read it and now seems to be enforcing it. 

Works Cited: