Donald Trump's upcoming second stint in office as President of the United States will likely include plans that could significantly reshape the federal government, and future policy direction. Much of Trump's anticipated agenda draws on Project 2025, a policy roadmap created by the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, which has long influenced Republican leadership. Here's a look at what's in store and where the administration's goals come from.
Government Restructuring With Schedule F
One of the most talked-about plans in Project 2025 is the implementation of Schedule F, a proposed federal employment category that would make it easier to fire career civil servants in positions deemed "policy-shaping." According to The Lever and reporting by ProPublica, the Heritage Foundation and Trump's team aim to use Schedule F to replace thousands of federal employees with Trump-aligned appointees, allowing for a quicker overhaul of policies without resistance from career bureaucrats. Advocates argue this could improve government efficiency, while critics worry it could undercut a historically neutral civil service.
Immigration And Border Security
Immigration was a central issue in Trump's previous campaign, and his upcoming term is expected to feature strong policies aimed at reducing both illegal and legal immigration. Trump has repeatedly discussed expanding mass deportations, which could include prioritizing policies that limit asylum, build on the border wall and restrict paths to citizenship. During his victory speech, Trump reiterated his stance on securing the US-Mexico border, saying that "we're going to fix our borders" and focus on domestic security.
Economic Deregulation And Corporate Influence
Trump's policies often focus on cutting regulations he sees as burdensome to businesses. According a recent Financial Times report, Trump may push to reduce corporate taxes and lower capital gains tax rates, which his team argues will stimulate business growth and encourage investments. Additionally, there's speculation that he might encourage more untraceable "dark money" donations in politics. This proposal, according to The Lever, could involve new tax breaks on corporate political contributions, potentially amplifying the influence of companies like Tesla and SpaceX, backed by Trump ally Elon Musk.
Environmental Policy
Under Project 2025, Trump's administration could shift environmental policies to increase fossil fuel production. Fortune reported that the Trump team has discussed selling off portions of the federal government's environmental programs, especially around climate change research. Trump's administration may also align itself with pending court cases that aim to weaken federal environmental regulations, a move that could encourage more private sector energy projects while scaling back federal oversight.
Healthcare
The Trump administration's approach to healthcare could mean changes to both the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicare. NPR reported that Trump's team is considering rolling back ACA subsidies, which were designed to make healthcare more affordable, and shifting more of Medicare toward privatization. Some of these changes, according to the American Thoracic Society, could impact millions of Americans who rely on these programs to reduce their healthcare costs.
Abortion and Reproductive Rights
Trump's administration plans to back conservative abortion stances, especially now that abortion laws are up to each state. He is expected to encourage states to adopt tougher abortion restrictions, aligning with conservative priorities. Earlier this year, The Lever reported that Vice President-elect JD Vance pushed to remove a rule preventing police from tracking people who've had abortions; now, with both Trump and Vance in office, they could work to remove this protection. Trump's team may also pursue limits on abortion medication and increase funding for "crisis pregnancy centers" that steer women away from abortion.
Religious And Cultural Influence
Many conservative think tanks, including the Heritage Foundation, see Project 2025 as a path to re-emphasize religious values within government. Trump has praised the Heritage Foundation's mission, which includes promoting a vision of the United States as a "Christian nation." Trump and his allies have openly stated plans to support policies aligning with these values, potentially reshaping federal offices and their appointed members to better reflect their purported traditional values.
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