Paul Dans, the former head of Project 2025, a conservative plan aimed at overhauling the U.S. government, has pointed to "violent rhetoric" from his former boss, Kevin Roberts, as the reason for the project's downfall. Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, faced backlash after making inflammatory comments that were seen as threats against left-wing opponents.
Dans, who stepped down in July after concerns the project was becoming a political liability for Donald Trump, criticized Roberts for remarks he made on a podcast. Roberts’ statements about a "second American Revolution" that would "remain bloodless if the left allows it" drew widespread attention and were interpreted as a veiled warning to liberals if they resisted the proposed conservative agenda.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Dans urged Trump's running mate, JD Vance, to withdraw a foreword he wrote for Roberts' upcoming book, which has been criticized for its aggressive language. Vance’s foreword encourages right-wing supporters to "load the muskets" in a figurative call to arms.
"If we're asking the left to tone it down, we have to do the same," Dans told the Post, emphasizing that such violent rhetoric is unacceptable, especially given that Trump has faced two assassination attempts.
Roberts first made headlines with his comments in July during a podcast with former Republican congressman Dave Brat, saying: "We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be."
The controversial comments intensified scrutiny on Project 2025, a 922-page manifesto that includes proposals for mass firings of civil servants and curtailing reproductive rights. The project was initially supported by the Heritage Foundation and overseen by Roberts.
As Democrats seized on these statements, highlighting the project's radical provisions, Trump began to publicly distance himself from it. He falsely claimed not to know its authors, despite the involvement of many individuals, including Dans, who had served under him during his presidency.
Dans said he had cautioned Roberts against provocative media appearances, blaming him for tarnishing the project’s reputation and the people involved. "There’s no place for this kind of rhetoric, especially from the head of a prestigious think tank," Dans remarked. He added that Roberts’ comments had unfairly damaged the credibility of those associated with Project 2025.
Roberts has also faced criticism over his forthcoming book Dawn’s Early Light, initially titled Burning Down Washington to Save America. The book's release was postponed, and its subtitle and cover illustration, which featured a lit match, were toned down in response to criticism.
Dans called on JD Vance to distance himself from Roberts by retracting his foreword to the book. Vance’s close ties with the Heritage Foundation and Roberts complicate Trump’s efforts to distance himself from the controversial project.
A spokesperson for the Heritage Foundation, Noah Weinrich, defended Roberts, stating that his comments were being mischaracterized and were actually referring to the threat of left-wing violence. "Any attempt to portray Dr. Roberts’ comments as advocating violence is grotesque," Weinrich told the Post.
JD Vance has not yet commented on the situation, while Dans continues to blame Trump campaign officials for downplaying Project 2025’s importance. He singled out campaign aides Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita, accusing them of jeopardizing Trump’s chances of defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
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