\”Throughout much of this year, Project 2025 has been a key focus for Democrats as they grapple with the potential threats posed by former President Donald Trump to American society. The Mandate for Leadership, a massive document exceeding 900 pages, was developed by the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, with input from over 100 organizations. It covers a wide range of topics, including China, ‘wokeness,’ climate denialism, and a desire to reduce or eliminate federal agencies. Despite its extensive scope, the document lacks a cohesive policy framework and instead reflects a variety of concerns and priorities.
While Trump has attempted to distance himself from the project, there are numerous connections linking him to it. His running mate, JD Vance, has ties to Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, and even wrote the introduction to Roberts’ upcoming book. Several chapters of Project 2025 were penned by former officials from Trump’s administration, such as FCC commissioner Brendan Carr and Department of Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli.
If Trump were to be re-elected, it is likely that some of the proposals outlined in Project 2025 would be put into action, although the specifics remain unclear. The document includes controversial ideas such as banning pornography, but lacks detailed explanations for many of its recommendations. Despite the lack of consensus among its authors, the document advocates for both confrontation and collaboration with tech companies.
Project 2025 envisions a significant expansion of government power to target conservative adversaries in the tech industry, remove potential dissenters from federal agencies, and push for right-wing policies like mass deportations and a national abortion ban. This aggressive approach would be paired with deregulation and cuts to social services and federal agencies that support public welfare. The document advocates for a small government in some areas but a larger one for punitive actions.
The chapter on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlights the conservative dilemma regarding tech regulation, presenting two conflicting approaches: one emphasizing strict antitrust enforcement against tech giants, and the other advocating for minimal government intervention. The chapter suggests that the FTC should collaborate with state attorneys general to scrutinize mergers involving major corporations, particularly in the tech sector. It also recommends investigating whether social media platforms engaged in censorship of political speech.
Similarly, the chapter on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) focuses on reining in big tech companies and ensuring they do not suppress conservative viewpoints. FCC member Brendan Carr proposes various policies, such as reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to limit platforms’ ability to moderate content. The chapter also suggests expanding the FCC’s regulatory authority over online platforms and requiring tech companies to contribute to the Universal Service Fund.
Overall, Project 2025 reflects a coherent vision of conservative priorities, advocating for government intervention in certain areas while opposing it in others. The document outlines a comprehensive strategy for reshaping tech regulation and addressing national security concerns related to entities like TikTok. Despite internal contradictions and differing viewpoints, Project 2025 presents a unified stance on the role of government in shaping the tech industry and addressing key policy challenges.\”