Donald Trump's transition team is reportedly working on a blacklist of potential officials who would be banned from a future administration, particularly focusing on those associated with the controversial Project 2025, aimed at overhauling the U.S. government.
According to a former official from Trump's first administration, the effort is being led by Trump's eldest son, Donald Jr. The initiative comes in response to the backlash against Project 2025, a 922-page document created by the Heritage Foundation, which outlines radical reforms, including significant cuts to the civil service and restrictions on abortion. Trump publicly distanced himself from the project after polls indicated that its proposals could harm his electoral prospects.
Many of the architects of Project 2025, including its former director, Paul Dans, previously held roles in Trump’s administration. Dans has criticized some senior campaign aides for influencing Trump's decision to disavow the project.
Additionally, individuals who resigned in protest over the January 6 Capitol insurrection are also expected to be excluded from consideration. High-profile resignations included those from former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, and former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who is married to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.
Trump has emphasized loyalty as a crucial quality in selecting his top staff, and the creation of this barred list suggests a desire to avoid the high turnover rates that marked his first term, which was characterized by officials often trying to moderate Trump’s more extreme tendencies.
Howard Lutnick, co-chair of the transition team, stated that appointees must demonstrate “fidelity” to Trump and his agenda. He labeled the Heritage Foundation as “radioactive” due to its association with Project 2025, confirming that no individuals linked to the initiative would be considered for positions.
However, some critics have raised concerns about the feasibility of such a blacklist, noting that approximately 18,000 Republicans and numerous think tanks contributed to the document's development, complicating the staffing process. Trump's running mate, JD Vance, has ties to the Heritage Foundation, having written the foreword to an upcoming book by its president, Kevin Roberts.
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