In bombshell reporting from journalism-watchdog ProPublica, scores of Heritage Foundation operatives are seen on video coaching political operatives how to “be ready to serve on day one” to battle (what they falsely claim is) the “administrative state.”
And despite all sorts of denials that Donald Trump has no connection to Heritage’s Project 2025, the slickly produced videos—roughly two dozen, totaling more than 14 hours of content—are presented by operatives with Trump-administration credentials on their résumé. Per ProPublica:
“A review of the training videos shows that 29 of the 36 speakers have worked for Trump in some capacity—on his 2016-17 transition team, in the administration or on his 2024 reelection campaign.”
In other words, the same folks who hail from an administration famously riddled with backbiting, turmoil and leaks are looking to onboard federal employees with the same “work ethic.”
Shedding Staffers
The leaked collection of training videos continues Heritage’s arrogant presumption that conservatives taking back the White House is inevitable—and training up an army of dedicated “believers” is required to enact their agenda.
The mission as-outlined, at least on the surface, presents the appearance of being professional and focused. But don’t forget Trump’s White House was mired in departures, with a turnover rate of 92% according to Brookings Institution. “They shake people like a shaking dog sheds rain” MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow quipped in early 2018.
Since Heritage’s operation was so enmeshed in Trump’s previous administration, they presumably don’t want a repeat of last time.
‘Eradication’ Videos
Dozens of clips outlining things like a “political appointee survival guide” and “the art of professionalism” touch on familiar grievances from the conservative viewpoint, including calling gender fluidity “evil.” But the overarching goal, apparently, is to stamp out beliefs that do not comport with Heritage’s worldview.
In an explainer-video on how to “spot liberal talk,” Katie Sullivan and Bethany Kozma, both of whom served in Trump’s first administration, discuss the evils of progressiveness inside the Biden administration.
“There are monsters in Uncle Sam’s attic—it’s the words, phrases and definitions that may look like one thing, but absolutely mean another. And it is scary… We will teach you how to unwind the words and phrases that have been so artfully layered in the federal government. This training will prepare you to make changes, and fast.”
Eradication of language and beliefs is a common thread throughout the videos, most notably, the goal to strip any mention of the climate catastrophe or how it is caused by fossil fuel.
“If the American people elect a conservative president,” says Kozma, “his administration will have to eradicate climate change references from absolutely everywhere.”
Read the full report, along with all the videos, in the source links below.
SOURCES
- ProPublica: 14 hours of video
- ProPublica: Inside Project 2025’s secret training videos
- Brookings Institute
- The Rachel Maddow Show
Project 2025 & The Council for National Policy
The Council for National Policy (CNP) is a highly secretive right-wing extremist group that works in tandem with public figures and less-secretive organizations to fund and dictate policies for Republican presidents and lawmakers, in Congress and in state legislatures. Its ultimate goal is to establish a Christian autocratic theocracy in the United States of America.
The Heritage Foundation was co-founded by Paul Weyrich, who also co-founded the Council for National Policy. Most of the people associated with Project 2025 are either current or former CNP members or work for organizations connected to the CNP.
Trump File first mentioned the CNP when detailing the group’s involvement in anti-lockdown protests and influence on the Trump administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Months later, CNP members orchestrated “Stop The Steal” and “March for Trump” events that became a battle cry for far-right fascist groups like the Proud Boys to take to the streets of Washington, DC.
