About Project 2025, the ideological basis of the Trump Administration

Unlike President Donald Trump's first administration, the economic and social measures that he has been implementing follow a determined roadmap that is very well established with his electoral base. The economic policy, which leverages trade conflict as a tool to achieve tactical victories in a worldview based on bilateral agreements, is underway. The social policy, for its part, aims to ensure internal social support, even in a context where the promised economic reward from his election (investment, growth, lower inflation, etc.) is delayed (or does not materialize).

MAPFRE Economics, MAPFRE’s Research Arm, explains in its report ‘Economic and Industry Outlook 2025’ that the ideological base that is serving as a guide for the rapid implementation of measures by the new administration is fed by the so-called Project 2025.

What is Project 2025?

The Heritage Foundation, created in 1973, is one of the most influential conservative think tanks in the United States. Over the last decades, it has played a key role in formulating policies for Republican administrations, providing ideological frameworks and legislative strategies. In 2023, it launched Project 2025, a comprehensive political plan aimed at preparing a future Republican administration to profoundly reform the federal government starting in January 2025. The document ‘Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise’ presents a series of reforms ranging from the government structure to the economy, education, and foreign policy.

The basis of this project coincides with the principles and measures promoted by the Donald Trump’s new administration, consolidating a political agenda that seeks to reduce the federal government, strengthen the executive branch, and restore conservative values in American society.

The main approaches to this project can be summarized as follows:

Reconstruction of the Federal State and dismantling of the “Administrative State”: it proposes the implementation of the so-called “Schedule F,” a designation that allows the dismissal of key federal employees without traditional restrictions, facilitating the removal of bureaucrats who do not align with the presidential administration. It also outlines the reduction in the power of regulatory agencies (such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)).

Defense of national sovereignty: it establishes the need to strengthen United States borders with physical barriers, advanced surveillance technology, and increased deportations, suggesting the reformulation of the immigration system toward a merit-based model and eliminating family reunification programs. It also calls for the withdrawal from international commitments that do not directly benefit the United States, such as the Paris Agreement or the World Health Organization, promoting the “America First” doctrine.

Restoration of the family and conservative values: the project emphasizes the application of tax incentives to promote marriage and family stability, the protection of parental rights in education, allowing the selection of private or religious schools with public funds, as well as the elimination of progressive ideologies in government policies and the education system, prohibiting terms such as “gender” and “diversity.”

Reforms in educational policy: the introduction of educational vouchers to promote private and religious education is planned, as well as the elimination of progressive theories, such as “Critical Race Theory,” in the school curriculum. It also establishes the reduction of the Education Department, transferring its authority to the states.

Economy and deregulation: an important part of the project is related to fiscal simplification, the reduction of tax rates, and the elimination of subsidies for renewable energy. The promotion of energy independence is established through the expansion of fracking and fossil fuel production, while the privatization of public sectors and the reduction of regulations are proposed to support free enterprise.

National security and defense: the project clearly calls for an increase in the defense budget, with an emphasis on investment in advanced technology and cybersecurity. It also proposes the reduction of military commitments abroad, prioritizing competition with China and Russia, as well as the review of international agreements to align foreign policy with national interests.

Since his return to the White House, Trump has promoted a series of measures that directly reflect the proposals of Project 2025, especially in four areas: the dismantling of the Department of Education, diversity and inclusion reforms, immigration control and deportations, and the restructuring of the federal government. The interconnection between Project 2025 and the actions of the Trump administration seems to confirm that this document is the ideological basis that is guiding this second mandate.