The Enemies List Part 1
Project 2025 Collaborators
Today begins day one of official resistance to naked authoritarian fascist rule of our national government. Borrowing from Rick Wilson’s wonderful podcast ‘The Enemies List’, the name felt like a perfect way to start the next, 1459 days. A comprehensive list of participants and organizations behind Project 2025 (Actual name: Mandate for Leadership The Conservative Promise Project 2025 PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION PROJECT produced by the Heritage Foundation) will be listed here.
“Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without fear of defeat.” - Sun Tzu The Art of War
Names and Acknowledgments in the order they appear in the Mandate for Leadership The Conservative Promise Project 2025 PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION PROJECT
Part1 will cover the architects of Project 2025 and Section 1 Taking the Reins of Government
Kevin D. Roberts
President of the Heritage Foundation
President of Heritage Action for America - the lobbying arm of the Heritage Foundation
Instrumental in establishing Project 2025
Wrote the Foreword for Project 2025
Controversies:
Project 2025 backlash - criticism for its extremist agenda, including proposals to dismantle federal agencies that protect the environment and roll back pollution regulations1
Controversial Statement - “We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.” 2
Paul Dans
Director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project at the Heritage Foundation
Co-editor Project 2025 document at the Heritage Foundation
Co-Author, Project 2025 Chapter 3 CENTRAL PERSONNEL AGENCIES: MANAGING THE BUREAUCRACY
Chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC)
Chief of Staff at the Office of Personnel Management during the 1st Trump Administration
Controversies:
His departure from the Heritage Foundation in 2024 was marked by allegations of abusive behavior, though the Foundation later clarified that the separation was due to strategic differences. Real Clear Politics reported he was fired and did not resign. 3
Steven Groves
Director for Policy Campaigns and Margaret Thatcher Fellow at the Heritage Foundation
Co-editor Project 2025 document at the Heritage Foundation
Chief of Staff to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley during the 1st Trump Administration
Special Assistant to the President and Assistant Special Counsel at the White House, representing the administration during Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election
Section on Taking The Reins of Government
Rick Dearborn
Author Project 2025 Chapter 1 WHITE HOUSE OFFICE
Consultant with Washington, D.C. based firm The Cypress Group
Executive Director of Donald Trump’s 2016 Presidential Transition Team
Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy under Donald Trump
Controversies:
Mueller Investigation: He was subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee in connection with efforts to obstruct the Special Counsel’s investigation 4
Russia Communications: During the 2016 campaign, Dearborn was reportedly involved in communications about setting up a meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin5
Russ Vought
Author Project 2025 Chapter 2 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Project 2025 Chief Architect of the comprehensive conservative blueprint designed to reshape the federal government
Founded Center for Renewing America - promoting “America First” agenda and advocating Christian nationalism
Nominated to lead the Office of Manage and Budget (OMB).
Significance of this Nomination:
Project 2025 Connection: Vought’s nomination is closely tied to his role as a co-author and key architect of Project of 2025
Policy Implications: Vought’s leadership at OMB would likely align closely with the goals outlined in Project 2025, potentially leading to significant changes in federal agency operations and budgeting priorities
Controversial Views: Vought has controversial views on expanding presidential powers and his plans to transform the executive office. His approach includes replacing non-partisan career officials with political appointees who are loyal to the president 6
Donald Devine
Co-Author, Project 2025 Chapter 3 CENTRAL PERSONNEL AGENCIES: MANAGING THE BUREAUCRACY
Senior Scholar at The Fund for American Studies and an adjunct scholar at the Heritage Foundation
Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (1981-1985)
In this role, he earned the nickname “Reagan’s Terrible Swift Sword of the Civil Service” from the Washington Post
Prolific contributor to conservative political thought over five decades
Controversies:
Controversial Personnel Regulations: In 1983, the OPM under Devine issued personnel regulations that faced significant opposition from federal employee unions. These regulations, affecting reduction in force (RIF) procedures, performance management systems, and pay administration, were challenged in court by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and ultimately invalidated
Unpopularity with Unions and Media: Devine’s aggressive approach to civil service reform and his management style were often criticized by unions, rand-and-file civil servants, and the media
Political Setback: In 1985, Devine withdrew from consideration for a political post, an event seen as embarrassing for the Regan Administration and highlighting the contentious nature of his career
Dennis Dean Kirk
Co-Author, Project 2025 Chapter 3 CENTRAL PERSONNEL AGENCIES: MANAGING THE BUREAUCRACY
Associate Director for Personnel Policy Project 2025 Presidential Transition Project at the Heritage Foundation
Associate Director of Employee Services at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, he has held this position since March 2020
Controversies:
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Nomination: His nomination was stalled in the Senate for nearly two years, Federal employee unions raised concerns about Kirk’s experiences and business dealings, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee advanced his nomination in February 2019, the full Senate did not move forward with confirming him
Ultimately, Kirk’s nomination was returned to the President under Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate on January 3, 2021
Project 2025 Association with Kirk was linked to Trump, but Trump attempted to distance himself from this project during his 2024 Presidential campaign. This further added political complexity to Kirk’s professional associations 7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Roberts_(political_strategist)
Project 2025 and Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts' views on climate are dangerous and costly
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/kevin-roberts-heritage-revolution-bloodshed-1235052706/
Right-Wing Think Tank Leader Promises Revolution, Warns of ‘Bloodshed’
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2024/09/27/heritage_director_project_2025_did_not_resign_was_fired_151700.html
Heritage: Director of Project 2025 Did Not Resign—He Was Fired
https://project2025admin.com/personnel/rick-dearborn/
Regarding the Mueller investigation, Dearborn was subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee in connection with efforts to obstruct the Special Counsel’s investigation. According to the Mueller Report, he was asked by Corey Lewandowski to deliver a message to then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to limit the scope of the Mueller investigation.
https://project2025admin.com/personnel/rick-dearborn/
Dearborn has been involved in a variety of the worst Trump scandals including the Mueller and Russia investigations. He was reportedly involved in communications about setting up a meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the 2016 campaign. Additionally, he played a role in arranging Trump’s 2016 address at the Mayflower Hotel, where Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak was present.
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-cabinet-russ-vought-project-2025-rcna187838
Russ Vought wants to make Congress obsolete
Trump's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget refused to answer questions about his chilling vision for an even more powerful White House.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/10/22/us/politics/project-2025-trump-heritage-foundation.html