In a nearly 1,000-page proposal, a group of far-right former officials and experts have authored a policy agenda, dubbed “Project 2025,” for a future right-wing presidency. The plan includes a vision for the “common defense” that could place the United States in direct confrontation with its adversaries and privilege unilateral militarism over a holistic national security strategy. In doing so, Project 2025’s proposals could undermine America’s national and economic security.
The project seeks to “reorient the U.S. government’s posture toward friends and adversaries alike … represent[ing] the most significant shift in core foreign policy principles and corresponding action since the end of the Cold War.” This reorientation could make Americans less safe.
Project 2025 advocates for staffing the National Security Council and Situation Room with individuals whose primary qualification is political loyalty. Its proposals would replace nonpartisan career national security officials with partisan operatives, potentially leading to confusion and mistrust worldwide. On Inauguration Day, Project 2025 recommends reassigning “nonessential” National Security Council staff to their home agencies, including military officers, intelligence analysts, and diplomats. It also suggests recalling career foreign service ambassadors who have not demonstrated significant loyalty to the incoming president.
The project further proposes politicizing the military chain of command and U.S. intelligence agencies by ensuring senior military promotions align with domestic political priorities and replacing career intelligence officers at the Central Intelligence Agency with new hires more committed to the president’s agenda.
Additionally, Project 2025 recommends eliminating or privatizing several federal agencies critical to national security. These include eliminating the Department of Homeland Security, privatizing the Transportation Security Administration, and limiting CISA’s ability to support states on election security.
On NATO, Project 2025 advocates handing over lead responsibility to deter Russia’s aggression to European allies while pulling back U.S. forces from Europe. This proposition could signal inconsistency or unreliability in U.S. commitments.
Regarding Iran, Project 2025 takes a confrontational stance against diplomacy efforts like the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in favor of advocating for regime change.
In terms of China policy, Project 2025 proposes ramping up funding for conventional forces while rejecting arms control engagement. It calls on U.S. special operations forces to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure projects.
Project 2025 also emphasizes expanding nuclear weapons programs as a top defense priority while dismissing strategic arms control measures. This posture increases nuclear conflict risks at a time when global tensions are already high due to various geopolitical developments.
The proposal also calls for withdrawing from international climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement and UNFCCC entirely—actions that would remove U.S. participation in global climate governance during a critical decade for climate action.
Lastly, Project 2025 contains policies that could impair global health efforts by promoting unilateral approaches over science-based strategies prioritized by current administrations.
While defending national interests is claimed as one of its top priorities, Project 2025's policies might fundamentally undermine America's ability to ensure long-term stability both domestically and internationally.