Conservatives' 900-Page "Mandate for Leadership" Draws Criticism for "Authoritarian" Agenda

The 2025 Presidential Transition Project, led by the Heritage Foundation, has published a detailed plan to overhaul the US government, including the FBI, prompting criticism from Democrats who call it a playbook for "authoritarianism."

The more than 900-page "Mandate for Leadership" was published in April 2023 and provides a conservative agenda for the country's next president, including a domestic and foreign policy agenda, personnel lineup, training, and a 180-day playbook.

"It is not enough for conservatives to win elections," Project 2025 said. "With the right conservative policy recommendations and properly vetted and trained personnel to implement them, we will take back our government."

The project is directed by Paul Dans, who served in former President Trump's administration. While the handbook doesn't assume Trump will implement its agenda, it does call for an expansion of executive power while criticizing alleged overreaches by the Biden administration.

The Mandate attacks Obama- and Biden-era policies, including student loan forgiveness and Obamacare, and seeks to increase the power of the president to hire and fire federal officials. It also targets LGBTQ+ rights, calling for an end to the DoED and suggesting legislation to forbid educators from using transgender students' names/pronouns without guardian permission.

Democrats have expressed concern, with Rep. Jasmine Crockett stating, "Project 2025 is giving the playbook for authoritarianism as well as the next dictator to come in." Progressive Rep. Ayanna Pressley called it a "far-right manifesto."

[See the full article for more details on Project 2025's controversial plan](https://www.usatoday.com/ story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/10/project-2025-conservative-plan-dismantle-government-explained/6936410001/).

By Rachel Barber, 2024 Election Fellow, USA TODAY