Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for government, has gained significant traction in recent weeks as the 2024 presidential election looms ever closer. A primer on what could be in the event that Donald Trump secures the White House in November, its 920 pages touch on all manner of policies covering a range of government functions and services.
Project 2025 Social Security
Is Social Security in the Project 2025 Mandate for Leadership, and what would any proposed changes mean for the American people?
The project is overseen by the conservative Heritage Foundation. In its own words, it serves as a policy “guide” and “playbook” of recommended actions to be taken within a conservative government’s first 180 days in office.
According to its own introduction, Project 2025 is a “collective effort of hundreds of volunteers who have banded together in the spirit of advancing positive change for America.”
- Comprehensive Policy Guide: Spanning 920 pages, the document outlines various government functions and services.
- Focus on Conservative Goals: Aimed at implementing conservative policies within the first 180 days of a new administration.
- Wide Range of Topics: Covers a broad spectrum of governmental policies and services.
As the 2024 election approaches, understanding the implications of Project 2025 is crucial for the American public. Stay tuned for more detailed analyses on specific policies, including potential changes to Social Security and other essential programs.
Critics are voicing strong opposition. President Joe Biden’s campaign team has warned that the project would “give Trump more power over your daily life, gut democratic checks and balances, and consolidate power in the Oval Office.”
Project 2025 raises concerns among various organizations. The Center for American Progress states that if enacted, the project would “concentrate power in the hands of the president—and set in motion a plan to flood the civil service with far-right loyalists to seize control of independent agencies.” Additionally, Democracy Forward has labeled it as “among the most profound threats to the American people.”
Despite these criticisms, former President Donald Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025. He claims to have “no idea who is behind it,” as reported by CNN. However, CNN also discovered that around 140 individuals who previously worked for Trump, including six former cabinet secretaries, have been involved in the project’s creation.
What’s at Stake?
Project 2025 is seen as a significant move that could reshape the power dynamics within the U.S. government. Here are the key concerns:
- Concentration of Power: The project aims to centralize authority in the presidency.
- Flooding Civil Service: There are plans to fill the civil service with far-right loyalists.
- Control of Independent Agencies: Independent agencies could fall under direct presidential control.
- Threat to Democracy: Many view this as a threat to democratic checks and balances.
Trump’s Involvement
While Trump claims ignorance about the project’s origins, the involvement of numerous former officials from his administration suggests otherwise. This raises questions about the true intent and future implications of Project 2025.
As the debate over Project 2025 continues, it remains a contentious issue that could profoundly impact the structure and function of the U.S. government.
“I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they’re saying, and some of their statements are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them,” Trump said last week. Newsweek has reached out to Trump for comment via the contact form on his website.
Denial of Affiliation
The movement itself has denied any affiliation with Trump. “We are not affiliated with former President Trump,” it posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, this week. “We are a coalition of more than 110 conservative groups advocating policy and personnel recommendations.”
Myths vs. Facts About Project 2025
In an effort to clarify misconceptions, the coalition has reiterated its stance:
- We are not affiliated with former President Trump. We are a coalition of more than 110 conservative groups advocating policy and personnel recommendations.
Common Myths Debunked
- End no-fault divorce: FALSE
Divorce is not mentioned in our policy handbook,…
What Could Project 2025 Do to Social Security?
Despite being over 900 pages long and covering a broad range of government departments, including defense, homeland security, agriculture, education, and energy, the mandate text of Project 2025 does not provide specific policy positions on Social Security or its associated government agency.
Project 2025’s Stance
On July 9, Project 2025 clarified their stance via a post on X, stating, “Mandate for Leadership does not advocate cutting Social Security.”
The Heritage Foundation’s Perspective
However, it’s important to note that The Heritage Foundation has previously advocated for changes to Social Security. In a June blog post, Rachel Greszler, a senior research fellow at the Roe Institute, suggested that the normal eligibility age for collecting Social Security retirement benefits should be raised to 70. This adjustment, she argues, would help address the looming funding challenges faced by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
To summarize, while Project 2025 does not explicitly propose cuts to Social Security, influential voices within related organizations are calling for significant reforms to ensure the program’s sustainability.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving issue.
“To restore Social Security’s intent, policymakers should gradually increase the normal retirement age from 67 to 69 or 70—moving the age up by one or two months per year—and index it to life expectancy,” Greszler suggested in the blog post.
The Heritage Foundation’s Proposal
“The Heritage Foundation, which has played a central role in organizing the planned extremist takeover of the federal government known as Project 2025 for the next Republican president, is now calling for the Social Security retirement age to be raised to 70,” said Zachary Pleat, senior researcher at Media Matters.
Republican Study Committee’s Plan
Separately, in March this year, the Republican Study Committee, the largest group of conservatives in the House, proposed raising the retirement age.
What Is Trump’s Position on Social Security?
The last time Trump—in writing—updated his Social Security stance was in January 2023. As part of his Agenda47 campaign, the former president said that “under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security.”
