Inside Project 2025’s Confidential Training Videos

Project 2025, a contentious policy and playbook agenda for a right-wing presidential campaign, has watched its director leave and faced harsh criticism from Democratic groups and former President Donald Trump. Yet, its mission to train political appointees to combat the so-called deep state for a potential future Trump administration continues to progress.

A notable feature of this program includes dozens of previously unpublished videos assembled for Project 2025’s Presidential Administration Academy. ProPublica and Documented obtained 23 of these videos, totaling over 14 hours of content, from a source with access to them.

These videos guide future appointees on a multitude of governance topics, including strategies to avoid embarrassing Freedom of Information Act disclosures and ensuring conservative policies aren’t overturned by “left-wing judges.” Some advice is typical for any incoming political appointee, while other segments propose radical changes to the federal government’s structure and operations.

In one video, Bethany Kozma, a conservative activist and former deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development under Trump, diminishes the seriousness of climate change, describing efforts to combat it as a scheme to “control people.”

Kozma indicates, “If the American people elect a conservative president, his administration will have to eradicate climate change references from absolutely everywhere.” She also labels the concept of gender fluidity as “evil.” Similarly, Katie Sullivan, who served as acting assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice under Trump, criticizes executive actions by President Joe Biden’s administration that created gender adviser positions across the federal government. She insists such positions and gender equity plans should be eliminated entirely.

Despite Trump’s attempts to distance himself from Project 2025, including falsely claiming ignorance about it, he has clear connections to the initiative. He flew on a private jet with Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation leading Project 2025. In a 2022 speech at a Heritage Foundation event, Trump praised the group’s efforts.

Of the 36 speakers in the training videos, 29 have worked for Trump in some capacity. These videos were recorded prior to the resignation of Paul Dans, the leader of the 2025 project, although they are still referenced on the project’s website. The Heritage Foundation noted that while they would conclude the policy-related work of Project 2025, the effort to build a personnel apparatus for policymakers at all government levels would continue.

Many from Project 2025 and the video participants did not respond to ProPublica’s requests for comment. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign featured in one of the videos, emphasized that “Agenda 47” is the official policy agenda for Trump’s campaign.

Project 2025’s 887-page “Mandate for Leadership” document details plans to eliminate the Department of Education, reduce Medicaid, reclassify thousands of civil servants to simplify their dismissal and replacement, give the president greater control over the DOJ, and further restrict abortion access. Democrats and liberal groups lambast the project’s agenda as “extreme” and “authoritarian,” noting the many ties between Trump and those involved with the project.

Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, remarked on Trump’s disingenuous attempts to distance himself from Project 2025, citing the close connection evidenced by the involvement of Trump administration alumni in the training videos.

The training videos reveal insights from Trump administration veterans who faced staffing challenges and inexperience, providing critical advice for a future administration. Rick Dearborn, who was part of Trump’s 2016 transition team and later a deputy chief of staff, underscored the significance of establishing a personnel system and expertise, something they lacked initially.

Dan Huff, a former legal adviser in the Trump White House, encouraged future appointees to prepare for substantial changes in American government, ready to face opposition. Stressing the importance of dedication, Huff urged those unsure or hesitant to reconsider joining.

In these videos, experts outline regulatory and policy changes for a Republican administration. One session, “Hidden Meanings: The Monsters in the Attic,” features Kozma discussing supposed left-wing code words and biased language to root out. She sees climate change as a cover to control people and opposes movements that advocate for lessening environmental impacts by discouraging childbirth.

David Burton, an economic policy expert from the Heritage Foundation, highlights the pivotal role of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). He advocates for increasing OIRA’s staffing to help rein in federal regulatory ambitions, despite it seemingly counteracting the conservative goal of minimizing government size.

Most videos avoid explicitly endorsing Trump, instead talking about potential conservative president or administration futures. Nonetheless, the ties to Trump are prominent, with many speakers having served in various capacities during his administration.

A recurring theme is preparing for a hostile reception within the federal government, with emphasis on empowering political staff and avoiding pitfalls that plagued the first Trump presidency. Speakers like Max Primorac and Kristen Eichamer warn of a hostile Washington environment and media misrepresentations.

Tactical advice includes keeping key communications offline to prevent them from becoming part of public records or inquiries, as advised by Tom Jones of the American Accountability Foundation.

The training videos are designed to arm future appointees with strategies to implement conservative changes effectively, with a sharp focus on outsmarting perceived adversaries and navigating complex government procedures.

Source: ProPublica, Documented