The gap between Trump's public disavowal and his administration's actions is stark enough to be its own story. Russell Vought — Project 2025's primary author on federal budget and administrative structure — became Trump's OMB Director. Russ Vought helped write the specific proposals to slash the federal workforce, impound congressionally appropriated funds, and use Schedule F (reclassifying career civil servants as political appointees who can be fired) — all of which the Trump administration implemented within weeks of taking office. Kevin Roberts, Heritage Foundation president, publicly stated that the Trump administration was implementing Project 2025 "at a historic pace."
Reinstate Schedule F to reclassify career civil servants as at-will political employees
Executive order signed Day One reinstating Schedule F
Eliminate the Department of Education
Executive order directing dissolution of Education Department; Betsy DeVos-era architects involved
End all DEI programs across federal government
Executive orders eliminating DEI programs government-wide, Day One
Withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement
Executive order, Day One withdrawing from Paris Agreement
Expand presidential control over independent agencies including the Federal Reserve
Attempted to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook; case pending at Supreme Court
This post distinguishes between documented facts, allegations, and analysis. Where motive, intent, corruption, or illegality remains disputed in the public record, the text attributes that judgment to court findings, official records, direct quotes, or the reporting linked below.
- Project 2025 — Heritage Foundation "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise," 2023; 900 pages; publicly available at heritage.org.
- 140+ contributors in Trump administration — tracked by multiple outlets including Washington Post; Russell Vought as OMB director as primary example.
- Kevin Roberts statement — "implementing Project 2025 at historic pace"; publicly quoted multiple outlets.
- Trump disavowal — July 2024 Truth Social post: "I have not read it, I disagree with some things in it."
- CBPP — "A Record of Historic Harm" January 2026 — documented implementation matching Project 2025 proposals.