Trump 2.0 starts tomorrow. 2025 started 19 days ago.
Remember Project 2025?
Might be a good time to study up on the subject, at least the basics.
Not ready to read the full 920 pages? Google NotebookLM can help. I encourage you to upload the PDF yourself, and start asking questions. Sharing mine to help get you started.
I turned the audio podcast summary into a video.
Google NotebookLM v2: Briefing doc, FAQ, Study guide, Podcast | Turn the Lens podcast with Jeff Frick
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Project 2025 - 920 page pdf
https://static.heritage.org/project2025/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf
Source Material
'Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise'
Project 2025, Presidential Transition Project
The Heritage Foundation
PDF - 920 Pages
https://static.heritage.org/project2025/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf
2025 Presidential Transition Project
Project 2025 - The Heritage Foundation
https://www.heritage.org/press/project-2025-publishes-comprehensive-policy-guide-mandate-leadership-the-conservative-promise
Briefing Doc: Project 2025 - A Conservative Promise
Source: Excerpts from "2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf" published by The Heritage Foundation.
Overview: "Project 2025" is a comprehensive roadmap for a future conservative presidential administration, outlining detailed policy recommendations across all major government departments and agencies. The document, framed as "A Promise to America," emphasizes a strong national defense, limited government, individual liberty, free markets, and a return to traditional American values.
Key Themes:
Restoring American Strength: This theme permeates the document, emphasizing the need to rebuild military capabilities, secure borders, and promote American interests on the world stage. The Department of Defense chapter stresses the urgency of expanding the Navy to over 355 ships, investing heavily in unmanned systems and munitions, and achieving dominance in space and cyberspace.
"The U.S. Navy (USN) exists for two primary reasons: to project prompt, sustained, and effective combat power globally, both at sea and ashore, and to deter aggression by potential adversaries."
Curbing Government Overreach: The document consistently advocates for shrinking the federal bureaucracy, reducing regulations, and empowering states and individuals. This includes proposals to streamline agencies, limit federal spending, and refocus the government on its core constitutional duties. For example, the Department of Homeland Security section proposes stricter enforcement of immigration laws and limiting federal housing subsidies to US citizens and lawful permanent residents.
"DHS must be directed to enforce immigration laws and ensure the integrity of the immigration system."
Economic Revitalization: The document promotes policies aimed at stimulating economic growth through tax cuts, deregulation, and free trade agreements. This includes chapters dedicated to the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the Small Business Administration. The document calls for a rejection of globalist economic policies and a focus on American economic interests.
"The Export-Import Bank should be abolished."
Promoting Traditional Values: The document emphasizes a return to traditional American values, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, and social policy. This includes proposals to empower parents in education, protect religious liberty, and uphold the sanctity of life. For instance, the Department of Health and Human Services chapter advocates for the elimination of men’s preventive services from the women's preventive services mandate and the removal of the week-after-pill from the contraceptive mandate.
"HRSA should not incorporate exclusively male contraceptive methods into guidelines that specify they encompass only women’s services."
Important Ideas/Facts:
Decentralization of Power: A consistent thread throughout the document is the desire to shift power away from the federal government and toward states, localities, and individuals.
Emphasis on National Security: The document dedicates significant attention to bolstering the military and intelligence communities, particularly in the face of challenges from China and Russia.
Reining in the Administrative State: Project 2025 calls for a significant reduction in the size and scope of the federal bureaucracy, targeting regulatory agencies like the EPA and the FCC for reform.
Economic Nationalism: The document champions policies aimed at promoting American economic interests, advocating for fair trade over free trade and a strong stance against Chinese economic aggression.
Social Conservatism: Project 2025 strongly advocates for conservative social policies, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, and religious liberty.
Analysis:
Project 2025 offers a detailed blueprint for a conservative transformation of the US government. While the document's ambitious scope may face significant challenges in implementation, it provides a clear vision for a future conservative administration and lays out a roadmap for achieving its policy goals. The document's emphasis on traditional values and American strength is likely to resonate with conservative voters, while its proposals for limiting government and revitalizing the economy may appeal to a broader audience.
Next Steps:
Further Analysis: Detailed examination of specific policy recommendations across each department and agency.
Feasibility Assessment: Evaluating the political and logistical challenges associated with implementing the proposed changes.
Impact Assessment: Analyzing the potential consequences of the proposed policies on various sectors and stakeholders.
Overall, Project 2025 is a significant document that provides a comprehensive overview of the conservative policy agenda and offers a detailed roadmap for a future conservative administration.
FAQ: Mandate for Leadership 2025: The Conservative Promise
1. What is the purpose of Project 2025?
Project 2025, also known as "Mandate for Leadership 2025: The Conservative Promise", is an initiative by The Heritage Foundation to offer comprehensive policy recommendations for a future conservative presidential administration. It serves as a roadmap for transitioning into power and implementing a conservative agenda across various government departments and agencies.
2. How does Project 2025 address national defense?
Project 2025 emphasizes strengthening the U.S. military and national security apparatus. Key recommendations include increasing the size of the Navy, investing in unmanned systems and hypersonic missile defense, and bolstering the defense industrial base. The project also calls for prioritizing exportability of U.S. defense systems to allies and partners, thereby expanding the "defense ecosystem".
3. What are the immigration policy recommendations outlined in Project 2025?
Project 2025 advocates for stricter immigration enforcement measures. These include prioritizing the return of illegal immigrants to their countries of origin, enforcing visa sanctions on nations that refuse to cooperate, and ensuring that federal housing and education benefits are limited to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
4. How does Project 2025 approach the Intelligence Community?
Project 2025 calls for empowering the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to exercise greater control over the Intelligence Community, streamlining intelligence gathering and analysis. It suggests clarifying the DNI's authority to utilize all available intelligence resources, including those within the Department of Defense, to effectively address global threats.
5. What are the key energy policy recommendations in Project 2025?
Project 2025 promotes energy independence and a reduction in reliance on renewable energy sources. It advocates for expanding nuclear power capabilities, streamlining the permitting process for natural gas pipelines, and ensuring electricity grid reliability by limiting the impact of subsidized renewable energy sources.
6. How does Project 2025 address the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?
Project 2025 aims to reform the EPA by limiting its regulatory overreach. This includes reviewing and potentially revoking existing regulations deemed burdensome, restricting the EPA's authority to grant funds to advocacy groups, and ensuring that the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee considers all relevant factors, including economic impacts.
7. What are the proposed reforms for the Department of the Interior in Project 2025?
Project 2025 seeks to increase access to energy resources on federal lands and prioritize the needs of Western states. It suggests streamlining environmental reviews for energy development projects, recognizing state authority over wildlife management on federal lands, and challenging the assertion of federal control over navigable waters in Alaska.
8. What are the trade policy recommendations outlined in Project 2025?
Project 2025 supports a "fair trade" approach and advocates for countering China's aggressive economic practices. It recommends imposing tariffs on countries that engage in unfair trade practices, strengthening enforcement of anti-dumping laws, and re-evaluating existing trade
Project 2025: Mandate for Leadership - A Study Guide
Short-Answer Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
What is the main argument presented in Project 2025: Mandate for Leadership?
Describe the proposed structure and function of the White House Office according to Project 2025.
What are the primary areas of concern regarding the Department of Defense outlined in Project 2025?
Explain the proposed reforms to the U.S. Navy as suggested in Project 2025.
What are the key challenges and recommendations regarding missile defense in Project 2025?
Outline the main concerns and proposed solutions for the Department of Homeland Security according to Project 2025.
Describe the role and importance of the Vice President as presented in Project 2025.
What are the key criticisms and recommendations regarding the intelligence community in Project 2025?
What is the proposed role of the Department of Energy in relation to nuclear capabilities in Project 2025?
What are the primary criticisms and recommendations for trade policy presented in Project 2025?
Project 2025 advocates for a strong conservative agenda for the next presidential administration, outlining detailed plans for restructuring and reforming various government departments and agencies.
The document proposes a streamlined and efficient White House Office with a strong chief of staff, focused policy councils, and clear communication channels to effectively implement the president's agenda.
Project 2025 expresses concerns about declining military strength, a lack of focus on great power competition, and bureaucratic inefficiencies within the Department of Defense.
Project 2025 recommends building a larger fleet, investing in unmanned systems, prioritizing range and lethality in procurement decisions, and accelerating munitions production for the U.S. Navy.
Project 2025 highlights the growing missile threats from adversaries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. It calls for investing in new track-and-intercept capabilities, including cruise missile defense and space-based sensors.
The document criticizes the Department of Homeland Security for its handling of immigration, border security, and cybersecurity. It recommends stricter enforcement of immigration laws, enhanced border security measures, and a more proactive cybersecurity strategy.
Project 2025 emphasizes the Vice President's crucial role in assisting the President, advising on policy matters, and representing the administration domestically and internationally.
Project 2025 criticizes the intelligence community for bureaucratic inefficiencies, politicization, and a lack of accountability. It recommends strengthening the Director of National Intelligence's authority, streamlining intelligence sharing, and focusing on core national security threats.
The document calls for the Department of Energy to focus on strengthening the U.S. nuclear deterrent, expanding nuclear capabilities, and supporting the development of advanced nuclear technologies.
Project 2025 criticizes current trade policies as harmful to American interests and advocates for a more protectionist approach, including renegotiating trade deals, imposing tariffs, and promoting domestic manufacturing.
Evaluate the feasibility and potential consequences of the proposed restructuring of the Department of Defense as outlined in Project 2025.
Analyze the arguments for and against a more protectionist trade policy as presented in Project 2025. Consider the potential economic and geopolitical implications.
Critically assess the proposed reforms to the intelligence community in Project 2025. Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of these recommendations.
Examine the proposed role of the Department of Energy in supporting nuclear capabilities. Discuss the ethical and strategic implications of this approach.
Analyze the arguments for strengthening the Vice President's role within the Executive Branch as presented in Project 2025. Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of this approach.
Glossary of Key Terms:
Defense Industrial Base: The network of companies and organizations involved in the production and support of military equipment and technology.
FMS (Foreign Military Sales): A program that allows the U.S. government to sell defense articles and services to foreign governments.
Hypersonic Missiles: Missiles capable of traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
JCIDS (Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System): The process used by the U.S. military to develop and acquire new weapons systems.
National Security Council: The President's principal forum for considering national security and foreign policy matters.
Nonproliferation: The prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.
RTOs (Regional Transmission Organizations): Organizations responsible for operating the electric grid in different regions of the United States.
Reserve Margins: The amount of extra electricity generation capacity available to ensure reliability on the electric grid.
Sue and Settle: A practice whereby environmental groups sue the EPA, leading to negotiated settlements that result in new regulations.
Title 10 Authorities: The legal authority that governs the activities of the U.S. military.
Unmanned Systems: Vehicles or systems that operate without a human operator onboard.
Civil-Military Fusion Strategy: China's national strategy to integrate its military and civilian sectors to advance its technological and economic development, often by leveraging intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer.
Denied Persons List: A list maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) that identifies individuals and entities that are prohibited from participating in export transactions involving U.S. goods.
Entity List: A list maintained by BIS that identifies foreign individuals and entities subject to specific license requirements for the export, reexport, and transfer of specified items.
Investment Grade: A rating assigned to bonds and other debt securities that indicates a relatively low risk of default.
Jones Act: A federal law that regulates maritime commerce in the United States, requiring goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built, and U.S.-crewed vessels.
Magnuson-Stevens Act: The primary law governing marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters.
National Marine Sanctuaries Act: A federal law that authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate and protect areas of the marine environment with special national significance as national marine sanctuaries.
Section 243(d) Visa Sanctions: A provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows the U.S. to suspend visa issuance to countries that refuse to accept the return of their nationals who have been ordered removed from the United States.
CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission): A U.S. federal agency that regulates the derivatives markets, including futures, options, and swaps.
SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission): A U.S. federal agency that regulates the securities markets and protects investors.
How many US 'Department' organizations mentioned in the document?
The source list 14 Departments
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
Department of Defense
Department of Education
Department of Energy
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of the Interior
Department of Justice
Department of Labor
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Department of Veterans Affairs
How many US 'Bureau' organizations mentioned in the document?
The source mention 13 organizations with the word "Bureau" in their name:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Bureau for Foreign Assistance
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Industry and Security
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
How many US 'Administration' organizations mentioned in the document?
The source mention 11 distinct "administration" agencies:
Administration for Children and Families
Administration for Community Living
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Transit Administration
Food and Drug Administration
General Services Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Social Security Administration
How many US 'Commission' organizations mentioned in the document?
The source mention at least 11** organizations with the word "Commission" in their title.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Election Assistance Commission (EAC)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
International Boundary and Water Commission
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
National Indian Gaming Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
How many US 'Agencies' organizations mentioned in the document?
The source list 11 Agencies
Central Intelligence Agency
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Defense Intelligence Agency
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Housing Finance Agency
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
National Security Agency
U.S. Agency for Global Media
Small Business Administration
Tennessee Valley Authority
How many US 'Service' organizations mentioned in the document?
The source mention 8 organizations with "Service" in the name:
Agricultural Marketing Service
Economic Research Service
Farm Service Agency
Fish and Wildlife Service
Food and Nutrition Service
Forest Service
Internal Revenue Service
National Ocean Service
How many laws mentioned, in the context of 'Acts' ?
The sources mention at least **43 different laws** in the context of "Acts."
Administrative Procedure Act
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Arms Export Control Act (AECA)
Atomic Energy Act of 1954
CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Acts
Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021
CHIPS and Science Act
Civil Service Reform Act of 1978
Clean Air Act
Clayton Act
Commodity Exchange Act
Communications Act
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985
Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
Crime Control Act of 1976
Department of Energy Organization Act
Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2021
Endangered Species Act
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
Energy Policy Act of 2005
Energy Reorganization Act of 1974
FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act)
Fair and Open Competition Act
Federal Advisory Committee Act
Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA)
Federal Unemployment Tax Act
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act)
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
Global Change Research Act of 1990
Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986
Guidance Out of Darkness Act (GOOD Act)
Homeland Security Act of 2002
Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
Immigration and Nationality Act
Indian Environmental General Assistance Act of 1992
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
Judicial Redress Act of 2015
Lacey Act
Mineral Leasing Act
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017
National Environmental Policy Act
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
National Gas Act
National Security Act of 1947
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023
Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act
Omnibus Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980
Pregnancy Discrimination Act
Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
Presidential Records Act
Privacy Act of 1974
Rehabilitation Act
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023 (REINS Act)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act
Robinson–Patman Act
Secure Networks Act
Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022
Sherman Act
Small Business Act
Small Business Amendments of 1974
Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act
SMART Act (Social Media Addiction Reduction Technology Act)
Stafford Act
Teamwork for Employees and Managers (TEAM) Act of 2022
Title IX Abortion Provider Prohibition Act
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act
Toxic Substances Control Act
Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994
Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964
VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act
William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008
Worker’s Choice Act of 2019
Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act
Wetlands Mapping and Protection Act
How many US 'Office' agencies mentioned in the document?
The source mentions a large number of "Office of" offices. Here are some of the most notable ones, organized by the department or agency to which they belong.
Executive Office of the President
* Office of Communications
* Office of the Staff Secretary
* Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA)
* Office of Presidential Personnel (PPO)
* Office of Political Affairs (OPA)
* Office of Cabinet Affairs (OCA)
* Office of Public Liason (OPL)
* Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA)
* Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
* National Security Council (NSC)
Office of Management and Budget
* Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP)
* Office of Performance and Personnel Management (OPPM).
* Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM).
* Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer (OFCIO).
* Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
**Department of Homeland Security**
* Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (PLCY)
* Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA)
* Office of Public Affairs (OPA)
* Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE)
* Office of Operations Coordination (OPS)
* Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)
**Department of State**
* Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
**Agency for International Development**
* Office of Administrator
**Department of Agriculture**
* Office for Postsecondary Education (OPE)
**Department of Education**
* Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
**Department of Energy**
* Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER)
* Office of Electricity (OE)
* Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
* Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
* Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
* Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
* Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED)
* Office of Grid Deployment (OGD)
* Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (IAC)
* Office of Policy (OP)
* Office of Technology Transitions (OTT)
* Office of Science (SC)
* Office of Environmental Management (EM)
* Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM)
* Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition
**Environmental Protection Agency**
* Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ)
* Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS)
* Office of Water (OW)
* Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM)
* Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP)
* Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA).
* Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIR).
* Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR).
* Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO)
**Department of Health and Human Services**
* Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH)
* Office of the Surgeon General (OSG)
* Office of Global Affairs (OGA)
**Department of Housing and Urban Development**
* Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA)
* Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
* Office of Administration
* Office of the Chief Financial Officer
* Office of the Chief Information Officer
* Office of Public Affairs
* Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations (CIR)
* Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD)
* Office of Housing
* Office of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
* Office of Policy Development and Research (PDR)
* Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH)
* Office of Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity
* Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)
* Office of General Counsel (OGC)
* Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control (OHHLHC)
**Department of Justice**
* Office of Legal Policy
* Office of Legislative Affairs
* Office of Public Affairs
* Office of Labor-Management Standards
**Department of Transportation**
* Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP)
**Department of Commerce**
* Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
* Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA)
* Office of Trade and Investment Advocacy
* Bureau of Industry and Security
* Office of Space Commerce
* Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
* Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs
* Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
**U.S. Patent and Trademark Office**
* Office of the Commissioner for Patents
This is not an exhaustive list of every single office mentioned in the sources, but it offers a sense of the breadth of offices involved in these departments and agencies.
Mark:
Welcome back to the Deep Dive. You know, sometimes we find a source and it's not just informative. It's like a crystal ball, you know, into the future. And I think today's source ‘Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise’ [Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation] is a lot like that.
Jackie:
Yeah, it really lays out like a roadmap for conservatives, you know, for the next presidential administration. It's like a blueprint for how they want to govern starting in 2025.
Mark:
Exactly. And it gets really specific to I mean, they dive deep into all kinds of things. Like education, national defense. And even like how they'd actually, like reshape the government.
Jackie:
Yeah, and what's really interesting is this isn't just like a bullet point list or something. It's like they're trying to present a whole vision for the country, you know, based on conservative principles.
Mark:
Okay. So let's get into it. The document starts by talking about families and how important they are to society. But they don't stop there. They actually say they want to use federal power like tax policy to deal with what they're calling a family crisis.
Jackie:
Right. And that's where things get interesting because they suggest things like getting rid of marriage penalties in the tax code and welfare programs.
Mark:
Wow
Jackie:
Basically using money to encourage people to form certain types of families.
Mark:
That's a bold approach, for sure. It really makes you think about how much the government should be involved in family life. That's a debate that's been going on forever. How effective can the government really be when it comes to strengthening families.
Jackie:
It's complicated. And the answer probably depends on a lot of different things. But this document clearly says that the government can and should play a big part.
Mark:
Okay, so moving on. The document then goes after the federal bureaucracy saying it’s gotten too big, too powerful, and that it doesn't care about the needs of everyday Americans.
Jackie:
And they have some pretty dramatic solutions. They want to overhaul the civil service, and they even want to bring back IQ tests for federal hiring.
Mark:
Wait, bring back IQ tests?
Jackie:
Yeah.
Mark:
But those were discontinued like decades ago because people were worried about racial bias.
Jackie:
That's right. And this is a good example of something we see a lot in this document. They want to make government better and more accountable. But they also have to think about what that might mean for things like diversity and equity in the civil service.
Mark:
Let's switch gears to national defense. The document says that China is the biggest priority for U.S. defense planning. And they're calling for a pretty aggressive approach. I mean they want to modernize and expand the nuclear arsenal. Make the defense industry stronger and spend more on the military.
Jackie:
They even want to prioritize American and allied manufacturing when it comes to defense contracts. So they want to rely less on foreign suppliers, especially from countries like China.
Mark:
Okay, so they're thinking about more than just military strength. We're thinking about economic competition as strategy too.
Jackie:
Exactly.
Mark:
Now things get really serious when we get to Homeland Security. They suggest some big changes to the Department of Homeland Security. They even hint at maybe shrinking it or getting rid of it completely.
Jackie:
Yeah, and that goes back to their idea of streamlining the government. And making it smaller. They think that a more focused approach to homeland security might actually be better.
Mark:
But they also want some specific policy changes. And those are sure to be controversial.
Jackie:
Oh definitely. Like they want stricter immigration enforcement. They want to use all the detention space available, and they want to limit the use of parole for people crossing the border. They even say that the Secretary of Homeland Security should be able to ignore certain legal requirements during a mass migration event.
Mark:
Whoa. That's a pretty big idea. I can see how that might make things easier in a crisis, but it also makes you worry about due process and people's rights.
Jackie:
You're right. And that's something that comes up a lot in this document. It's this tension between wanting to be efficient and secure and wanting to protect individual liberties and legal processes.
Mark:
Okay, so we've talked about families, the bureaucracy, defense, and homeland security. What about the economy? What kind of vision do they have for that?
Jackie:
Unsurprisingly they want to go back to classic conservative economic ideas: free trade, less regulation, and responsible spending. But there are some interesting things that go beyond the usual talking points.
Mark:
Like what? Give me the good stuff.
Jackie:
Well, they want to get rid of the Export-Import Bank, which helps American businesses compete globally. They say it's corporate welfare and that it messes up the market.
Mark:
Now, that's a proposal that will definitely get people talking.
Jackie:
Oh, yeah.
Mark:
I bet the people who support the bank would say that it's really important for American jobs and businesses.
Jackie:
Yeah, especially in certain industries. And that's what makes this document so interesting. It's not just repeating the same old things. They're putting forward some specific and sometimes surprising ideas that challenge the usual way of thinking.
Mark:
Okay, so we've covered a lot already, but we're just getting started. Next, we'll look at their ideas for education, social issues, and how they see the role of technology and innovation in the future of the country.
Jackie:
It's definitely a vision that's going to get people talking on all sides. So get ready. It's going to be interesting.
Mark:
All right, buckle up everyone.
Jackie:
So picking up where we left off, this document really gets into education. They're big on school choice. They think that federal education funding should follow the child, not the school system.
Mark:
So like letting parents choose the best schools for their kids.
Jackie:
Exactly.
Mark:
Even if it means going outside the public school system.
Jackie:
Right. They even specifically talk about the D.C. Opportunities Scholarship Program, which gives vouchers to low-income families so their kids can go to private schools.
Mark:
Interesting.
Jackie:
Yeah
Mark:
I can see why people who don't like the public schools would like that. But what about the public schools themselves? I mean, would this hurt them? And can these programs really make sure that all kids have access to good schools?
Jackie:
Those are definitely some of the big questions about school choice. And the document tries to address them. They say that competition would actually make all schools better: public and private.
Mark:
Interesting. Okay, so we've talked about education. Let's move on to something that always gets people riled up. Social issues. How does this document handle those?
Jackie:
Well, they definitely don't hold back when it comes to expressing conservative views. They talk about abortion, transgenderism, and the role of religion in society. They want to protect conscience rights, promote traditional marriage, and limit federal funding for abortion providers.
Mark:
Sounds like they're really getting into the culture wars here.
Jackie:
Yeah, they're definitely sticking to those traditional conservative values. This part of the document really shows how important those moral beliefs are to conservative thinking. It's all about the sanctity of life, the importance of the traditional family, and the role of faith.
Mark:
Yeah, I can see how this part of the document will get strong reactions. These are some of the most divisive issues in America right now.
Jackie:
Absolutely. And the people who wrote this know that they're not avoiding the debate. They're running right into it.
Mark:
Okay. Let's change gears again and talk about technology. This is something that's always changing, and it affects everything from the economy to national security. So how does this document deal with technology and innovation?
Jackie:
Well, they say that technological advancement is important for both the economy and national security. They want more investment in research and development. They want to simplify regulations on new technologies. And they want to protect intellectual property.
Mark:
So basically, they want to make sure America stays ahead of the game. When it comes to things like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and all that.
Jackie:
Exactly. But they're also worried about American businesses helping China develop its own AI. They want a plan to stop that from happening. They want to be more aggressive about protecting American intellectual property and making sure it doesn't end up in the wrong hands.
Mark:
That makes sense. It's a tough balance though. You want to encourage innovation, but you also have to think about national security.
Jackie:
Exactly. And this document suggests that they're leaning more towards security.
Mark:
Okay. So we talked about their vision for families, the bureaucracy, national defense, social issues, and technology. But this document goes even deeper than that. It actually gets into specific departments and agencies. Proposing reforms and even suggesting getting rid of some altogether.
Jackie:
Right. And that's where things get really interesting. It's one thing to talk about ideas. But it's another to actually figure out how to put them into practice. And this document tries to do just that.
Mark:
Okay. So let's dive in. Where do they start?
Jackie:
One of their big targets is the Department of Homeland Security. They think that it's too big and bureaucratic and that might be making it less effective. They even suggest breaking it up into smaller, more focused agencies.
Mark:
Wow. That would be a huge change.
Jackie:
It would.
Mark:
And it really shows how much they want to streamline the government and make it smaller.
Jackie:
Exactly. And they have the same idea for other agencies too. Like the civil service. They want to make it easier to hire, promote, and even fire people. They say that the current system protects workers who aren't doing a good job.
Mark:
So they want the federal government to be more like a business. With more focus on efficiency and accountability.
Jackie:
That's a good way to put it. And they're not afraid of controversial topics.
Mark:
Like what?
Jackie:
Like they say that the Secretary of Homeland Security should be able to waive certain legal requirements during a mass migration event.
Mark:
That sounds like it could be abused. I mean, who decides what a mass migration is? And how do we make sure that this power isn't used unfairly?
Jackie:
Those are good questions. And the document admits that this idea would have to be carefully thought out to make sure it doesn't violate people's rights. But they say that you need some flexibility to deal with a crisis.
Mark:
Right. It's that classic dilemma. Security versus Liberty.
Jackie:
Exactly.
Mark:
Okay, so they're ready to shake things up at Homeland Security. What about other agencies? Who else are they targeting?
Jackie:
Well, they go after some familiar ones, like the EPA and the Department of Education, but they also go after some that you might not expect, like the Federal Reserve.
Mark:
The Federal Reserve? What's wrong with the fed?
Jackie:
They say it has too much power. And that its policies have caused inflation, economic instability. They want to limit the Fed's independence and maybe even go back to some kind of gold standard.
Mark:
Wow. Going back to the gold standard. That's a pretty radical idea.
Jackie:
It is.
Mark:
Nobody's talked about that seriously in a long time. Sounds like they really want to change things up.
Jackie:
They do. And it's not just about the economy. They also want to change social programs like welfare and food stamps. They think those programs are too generous and discourage people from working. They want to make it so you have to work to get those benefits. And they want to reduce the number of people who depend on them.
Mark:
So basically, they want to make the government smaller in every way. That's a pretty ambitious plan.
Jackie:
It is.
Mark:
And I bet the people who benefit from the current system won't be happy about it.
Jackie:
Oh, yeah, they'll definitely push back. But that's what makes this document so interesting. It's a bold vision for how a conservative government would run things. And it shows the fight over ideas is far from over.
Mark:
Okay. So we're back and ready to wrap up our look at ‘Mandate for Leadership’ [The Conservative Promise, Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation]. We've gone over a lot, you know, from those big ideas about the role of government to those really specific policy proposals like for education and national security.
Jackie:
Right. And now we can really zoom in on how those conservative ideas could actually affect how the different departments and agencies work on a day to day basis.
Mark:
Exactly. So let's start with the Department of Energy. The document says they want to change how the department works. Focusing more on energy independence and getting rid of what they see as too many regulations.
Jackie:
They specifically say they want to get rid of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Mark:
Wow.
Jackie:
They think it's messing up the market by choosing winners and losers.
Mark:
So basically they want the government to be less involved. And let the market decide what happens in the energy sector.
Jackie:
Exactly. They think that businesses are better at developing new energy technologies. And that the government just gets in the way and makes things more expensive.
Mark:
Interesting. I can see how people who believe in free markets would like that.
Jackie:
Yeah.
Mark:
What about climate change and switching to cleaner energy?
Jackie:
Well, the document does say that protecting the environment is important. But they think it should be done in a way that doesn't hurt the economy or take away people's freedoms. They want to make regulations simpler and focus on solutions that work with the market.
Mark:
Okay, so let's move on to another agency that's always in the news. The EPA. They want to make some big changes there too.
Jackie:
Yeah, they think the EPA has become too bureaucratic and powerful. They want to combine offices, streamline processes, and just make the agency smaller overall. They also want to look at the EPA's scientific research and advisory committees. They think those groups have been influenced by politics.
Mark:
So basically they want to make sure the EPA's focused on science and the economy and not on ideology.
Jackie:
Exactly. They think the EPA has put too many burdens on businesses. And hurt economic growth all in the name of protecting the environment. They want to find a better balance.
Mark:
Okay, now let's talk about an agency that affects a lot of people every day. The Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD. What do they want to do with HUD?
Jackie:
They want to make some major changes there too. They want to restructure the department, combine programs, make it smaller, and focus on providing affordable housing to people who really need it.
Mark:
So they're basically trying to make HUD more efficient.
Jackie:
That's part of it. But they also want to make sure that HUD's policies match up with their conservative beliefs.
Mark:
Interesting. Like what?
Jackie:
Well, for example, they want to get rid of the Biden administration's PAVE policies, [Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE)]. Which were about making property appraisals more fair. They think those policies actually undermine how appraisals are done.
Mark:
So it's not just about efficiency. They also want to make sure that HUD's policies reflect their ideology.
Jackie:
Exactly. And that's something we see throughout this whole document. They're not just trying to make government work better. They want to make it reflect their values too.
Mark:
Okay. Let's move on to another big one. The Department of the Interior. They manage a lot of land and resources. What are they going to do with that?
Jackie:
They want to change how the department manages those lands. And put more emphasis on energy development and using resources instead of conservation and protecting the environment.
Mark:
That sounds like a pretty big change.
Jackie:
It is.
Mark:
Right now, the focus is on protecting those lands and using them for recreation.
Jackie:
They think those lands should be used to help the American people through economic development. Not just kept for special interest groups. They specifically want to open up more of that land for oil and gas drilling, mining, and logging.
Mark:
I bet that will make a lot of people mad.
Jackie:
Oh, yeah. Especially environmental groups and people who like to use those lands for recreation.
Mark:
What about other parts of the Interior Department, like the Fish and Wildlife Service?
Jackie:
They want to change the Endangered Species Act. They think it's been used to stop economic development, and that the decisions about which species to protect are often based on bad science. They want to make it easier to take species off the endangered list. And to consider the economic impact more when deciding whether to protect a species.
Mark:
That's a controversial idea, for sure. It could really affect how we protect endangered species.
Jackie:
And it shows a bigger theme in this document.
Mark:
What's that?
Jackie:
They don't trust environmental regulations very much. And they think economic growth is more important.
Mark:
Okay, let's move on to an agency that's been in the news a lot. The FBI. They had some pretty big changes planned for the FBI too.
Jackie:
They think the FBI has become too political and powerful. They want to restructure it to focus more on law enforcement. Maybe even create a separate agency for intelligence and counterterrorism.
Mark:
Wow
Jackie:
They also want to stop the FBI from doing anything related to fighting misinformation.
Mark:
Interesting, so they want to limit what the FBI can do.
Jackie:
Exactly. They think the FBI has gone beyond its original purpose. And is getting involved in things it shouldn't. They want to make sure it focuses on fighting crime and terrorism, and not on targeting political opponents or stopping free speech.
Mark:
A lot of conservatives would agree with that.
Jackie:
Yeah, especially after what's happened with the FBI in recent years.
Mark:
But other people might think the FBI is important for protecting national security and our rights.
Jackie:
Definitely, and that's what makes this document so interesting. It shows exactly how a conservative government would run things. But it also makes us think about the role of government, the balance of power. And how to protect individual rights.
Mark:
Okay. So we've covered a lot of ground today looking at the conservative vision for all these different parts of the government.
Jackie:
Yeah, we really have.
Mark:
But this document goes even deeper than that.
Jackie:
It does.
Mark:
What are some final thoughts you want to leave our listeners with?
Jackie:
Well, it's important to remember that this is just one way of looking at things. It's the conservative way. There are other ways of thinking about how to govern. It's up to each of us to think about these ideas. To decide what we believe and to come to our own conclusions.
Mark:
This deep dive has definitely given us a lot to think about.
Jackie:
It has.
Mark:
And we hope it's made you want to learn more about these issues, and to get involved in the conversation on of the future of our country.
Jackie:
We want you to look at different viewpoints. Think about the evidence. And make your own informed decisions.
Mark:
Because in the end,
Jackie:
Yeah,
Mark:
The future of our country is up to all of us.
Jackie:
That's right.
Mark:
Thanks for joining us on this deep dive.
Jeff Frick has helped tens of thousands of executives share their story.
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