Project 2025 architects lay out 2026 policy vision
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The conservative Heritage Foundation released its policy priorities for 2026, many of which align with goals already on the Trump administration's horizon.
The big picture: The think tank crafted Project 2025, which President Trump sought to distance himself from while campaigning despite embracing many of those same policies when back in in office.
- The White House did immediately respond to Axios' request for comment, but the foundation's priorities — originally released in March — map out the conservative movement's wish list.
Here's what the Heritage Foundation is pushing for in 2026.
Resisting the Chinese Communist Party
The think tank warns that the U.S. is falling behind in the "New Cold War" with China and says America should separate critical supply chains and economic factors to limit Beijing's influence.
- Aligning with the Trump administration's efforts to combat "narcoterrorism," Heritage also says the U.S. must stop the influx of fentanyl from China.
Immigration restrictions
Immigration reform and criminal enforcement have been central to Trump's first year back in office, and Heritage is calling for a continued, aggressive immigration system to maintain "national integrity."
- The group says it will also use messaging to "encourage enforcement of the law."
Election refinements
A federal judge struck down Trump's March executive order requiring proof of citizenship on voter registration forms, but Heritage is still making it a priority.
- The foundation also wants to end the practice of ranked-choice voting to restore American "confidence" in election outcomes.
Reality check: Ranked-choice voting, now used in both deep red and deep blue jurisdictions, has increased in popularity. Research shows the party-neutral system can increase voter turnout and improve representation for women and people of color.
Eliminating the Education Department
Trump signed an executive order earlier this year to dismantle the Education Department, and Heritage says it will support the efforts to eliminate the agency, which would require congressional action.
- The group's goal is reducing federal influence over K-12 education and "reclaiming higher education from the radical Left."
Fighting Big Tech
To counter Big Tech, Heritage promises to push enforcement of antitrust and other measures to end abuses and advance laws that make the U.S. tech sector the "strongest, most competitive, and most attractive for investment."
- "Big Tech has interfered with our elections, sought to groom and brainwash our children with perverted left-wing ideologies, engaged in anti-competitive behavior that stifles innovation, colluded with authoritarian governments, and sided with woke elites to suppress free speech and disproportionately silence conservatives," the group said.
Yes, but: Trump enjoys significant backing from Silicon Valley, including Elon Musk, who briefly served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
- Trump has heavily encouraged the growth of AI with minimal regulation and has overseen a slew of tech mergers.
Promoting traditional family values
Heritage outlines plans to "restore the nuclear family to the center of American life," with goals that include reducing abortions at every stage and limiting access.
- The foundation also asserts that children should be born to a married "mother and father," signaling opposition to same-sex marriage and efforts to eliminate related protections.
Supporting the Trump administration
Heritage says it will back Trump's efforts to reshape the federal government and restore efficient operations.
- It also plans to emphasize the Constitution's separation of powers and oppose the "expansion of authority for independent agencies."
Increasing fossil fuel production
Heritage warns that the U.S. is on the verge of an electricity shortage, arguing that cutting reliance on renewable energy — and expanding oil and natural gas — is the only way to avoid a crisis.
Go deeper: How Project 2025 would change American life
Editor's note The story has been updated to note the priority list was originally released in March.
