The complete series can be read here:
Project 2025: Just Facts, No Hype
Section 1: Taking the Reins of Government
Section 3: The General Welfare
Section 5: Independent Regulatory Agencies
Section 1: Taking the Reins of Government outlines a conservative vision for restructuring the federal government and expanding presidential authority.
Here are the key points and their potential effects on U.S. democracy.
Expanding Presidential Power
The section advocates for a strong executive who can “bend or break the bureaucracy to the presidential will”. This approach aims to centralize power in the presidency and reduce the influence of career civil servants and agencies.
Effect on democracy: This could lead to a more authoritarian style of governance, potentially weakening checks and balances and democratic norms.
Dismantling the “Administrative State”
The plan calls for aggressively reducing the size and scope of federal agencies, which are seen as unaccountable to voters and resistant to presidential control.
Effect on democracy: While potentially increasing responsiveness to elected officials, this could also disrupt essential government functions and expertise.
Restoring “Constitutional Accountability”
The document argues for returning power to Congress and away from regulatory agencies, framing this as restoring the original constitutional balance.
Effect on democracy: This could increase the role of elected representatives in policymaking, but may also lead to gridlock and reduce the government’s ability to address complex issues.
Emphasis on Presidential Appointees
The plan stresses the importance of loyal political appointees who will carry out the president’s agenda, rather than relying on career civil servants or non-partisan experts.
Effect on democracy: This could lead to more ideologically-driven policymaking and potentially reduce the stability and expertise within government agencies.
Regulatory Reform
The document advocates for aggressive use of executive power to roll back regulations and limit the ability of agencies to create new rules.
Effect on democracy: This could reduce government oversight in various sectors, potentially benefiting certain business interests but also possibly weakening consumer and environmental protections.
National Security Council (NSC) Reforms
The plan calls for staffing the NSC with personnel aligned to the president’s policy priorities, emphasizing loyalty over traditional expertise.
Effect on democracy: This approach could lead to more politicized national security decision-making, potentially reducing the role of career experts and established diplomatic norms.
In conclusion, the vision presented in Section 1 would significantly alter the current balance of power in U.S. democracy.
While proponents argue it would restore constitutional principles and increase accountability to voters, critics might see it as a dangerous consolidation of power that could undermine democratic institutions and safeguards.
The implementation of these ideas would likely lead to increased political polarization and potential constitutional conflicts between branches of government.