These past few weeks have been filled with hope, despair, and confusion for the future of our country. The recent election of Donald J. Trump, our now 47th president, has brought up many emotions for people all over the United States. Some people may look at him and see a great leader who will better our economy as well as our society. However, many people, including myself, see a man full of so much hate for the people of our country, despite saying that he will support every American. This election is going to bring about many changes in America for so many different people, especially due to Trump’s support for Project 2025.
Project 2025 is a plan that will take away many people’s civil liberties and individual freedoms with laws controlling peoples’ bodies, education, and healthcare. It was formed by the Heritage Foundation, an institution whose goal is to promote conservative values and policies within the government. And with the new elected president, it is clear this plan has the support of many government officials. However much Trump denies his involvement in this plan, it is evident that it has his full support. According to cbsnews.com, “…Trump had instituted 64% of its policy recommendations…”. Additionally, many people who worked on this plan worked with Trump on his campaign, like the former project director, Paul Dans, who was the Trump Administration’s chief of staff, as well as Spencer Chretien, who was the former special assistant to Trump. There is no denying that Trump has had an attachment with this plan and now that he is going to be back in office, and has additional support from both the legislative and judicial branches, Project 2025 should be an issue on the minds of any citizen who wants to live in a free democracy.
There are many actions and restrictions that Project 2025 plans to make including taking away the Department of Education, an institution that has helped so many students across America have better learning opportunities. According to nea.org, it will defund Title 1 public schools that are highly dependent on government funding, making learning accessibility extremely difficult for families. Being able to go to school, regardless of income and class, is a right every child should have. Taking away these types of programs that benefit these families is detrimental to an educated American society.
Additionally, Project 2025 aims to take away fundamental healthcare rights for women and trans people. According to guttmacher.org, it asks Congress to enact the Hyde and Weldon Amendments, which are acts that will defund abortion care, making it much harder for women to afford it. However, this does not just mean that abortion will cease to exist, it only means that it will get much riskier, as women will start having abortions done in unsafe environments. It also aims to make access to contraception and plan B much harder, meaning the likelihood of accidental pregnancies will increase. This plan will also deny trans individuals gender-affirming care, meaning any medical procedures or prescriptions that would help them with their transition. Trump has openely declared his want for anit-trans legislation, saying, “On day one, I will evoke Joe Biden’s cruel policies on gender-affirming care…cease all programs that promote the concept of sex and gender transition at any age.” As well as stating on his Agenda 47 platform website, that he will “Cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children,” which, for many students, means a decrease in self-representation in their schools.
In all, Project 2025 is the blueprint for a dictatorial, hateful, and unsafe America. Its policies will present issues for low-income families, women, and trans people. The America it wants to create is one where everyone must look, act, and think the same, stealing the freedom of individuality. Is this really what the American people want, for a president who will restrict our civil liberties?
