It is early 2026. If you've spent any time online or watching the news lately, you know the vibe is tense. Everyone is talking about Project 2025 and Trump, but honestly, half the stuff you hear sounds like a fever dream while the other half is buried in 900-page policy PDFs that no one actually reads.
Let's be real.
Most people think Project 2025 is just a campaign wish list. It’s not. By now, looking at the first year of the second Trump administration, we can see it’s basically been the operating manual. It’s the difference between saying "I want to fix the house" and having a blueprint that shows exactly which walls are getting knocked down and who is holding the sledgehammer.
The Reality of Project 2025 and Trump in 2026
The Heritage Foundation spent years building this. They didn't just write down "make things more conservative." They built a database of thousands of people ready to jump into federal jobs on day one.
Personnel is policy. You've probably heard that phrase before, right? It basically means it doesn't matter what the law says if the person in charge of the office doesn't want to enforce it.
What’s actually happened so far?
As of January 2026, trackers from groups like PBS and the ACLU suggest the administration has already moved on about 50% of the proposals found in the "Mandate for Leadership."
- The Schedule F Reset: This is the big one. Trump didn't just fire a few people; he's been working to reclassify tens of thousands of career civil servants as "at-will" employees. Basically, if you don't align with the administration's goals, you're out. This turns the "Deep State" into a "Loyal State."
- The War on DEI: On his first day back, Trump signed executive orders to gut diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the military and federal agencies. It wasn't just a suggestion—it was an immediate halt. High-ranking officials were out within 100 days.
- The Department of Education: While they haven't literally set the building on fire, they've been starving it of oxygen. They've shifted massive amounts of control back to the states and are pushing hard for universal school vouchers. The goal? Make the federal department obsolete.
Is Project 2025 Actually "Trump's Plan"?
This is where things get kinda murky. During the campaign, Trump famously said he "knew nothing" about Project 2025.
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That was... a stretch.
At least 140 people who worked on the project were former members of his first administration. We’re talking about big names like Russ Vought, who ran the Office of Management and Budget, and John McEntee, who handled personnel. These aren't just random interns. These are the people who are now back in the White House in 2026, literally sitting at the desks they wrote about in the manual.
The "Mandate for Leadership" isn't a secret anymore. It’s the playbook. Whether or not Trump read every page doesn't really matter when the people he hires are the ones who wrote it.
The Power of the Unitary Executive
The whole project is built on something called the "Unitary Executive Theory." Sounds boring, I know. But basically, it argues that the President should have absolute control over the entire executive branch.
No more "independent" DOJ.
No more "independent" FBI.
If the President says "investigate this guy," they investigate. If he says "stop this prosecution," they stop. In 2026, we’re seeing this play out with the establishment of new task forces that report more directly to the Oval Office than ever before. It’s a massive shift in how the American government has functioned since, well, forever.
Specific Changes You Might Have Missed
While the headlines scream about mass deportations and abortion bans, some of the smaller shifts are just as wild.
Take the National Weather Service. Project 2025 suggested it should be "privatized." Why? Because they think the government shouldn't be in the business of "climate alarmism." We haven't seen a full sale yet, but there’s been a massive push to charge for data that used to be free.
Then there’s the Comstock Act.
This is a 19th-century law that’s been gathering dust for decades. The project suggested using it to ban the mailing of abortion pills nationwide. In 2025, we saw the administration take steps to "re-examine" how this law applies to the USPS. It’s a backdoor way to restrict abortion even in states where it’s legal, without needing a single vote from Congress.
The Economic Side of the Coin
Project 2025 isn't just about social issues. It’s a total overhaul of the tax system. They want a flat tax. They want to get rid of the IRS as we know it.
In the first year of the term, we saw the July 2025 tax law move closer to these goals. It lowered corporate rates even further while scaling back programs that helped the middle class, like student loan repayment plans.
They also went after "woke" investing.
The SEC has been directed to rescind rules that let investors look at a company’s environmental or social impact. Basically, the government is telling Wall Street: "Focus on the money, ignore the planet."
Is there a backlash?
Sorta. Some Republican governors in rural states are actually nervous. Why? Because things like "Title I" funding for schools—which helps low-income areas—are on the chopping block. If you cut that, rural schools in red states feel the hit just as hard as urban ones.
What's Next for 2026?
The "180-day playbook" is finished. Now we’re in the long game.
Experts are watching the 2026 midterm elections closely. If the administration keeps its grip on Congress, expect the push for the remaining 50% of Project 2025 to accelerate. We're talking about things like:
- Ending birthright citizenship via executive order.
- Further gutting the EPA to "unleash American energy."
- Withdrawing from international alliances like NATO or the WHO.
It’s a lot. Honestly, it’s a total reimagining of what the United States is.
Actionable Steps to Stay Informed
If you want to keep up with how Project 2025 and Trump are actually changing your daily life, don't just wait for the 6 o'clock news. You've got to be a bit more proactive.
- Track the Federal Register: This is where every single new rule and executive order gets posted. It’s dense, but it’s where the real work happens.
- Follow Civil Service Watchdogs: Groups like the Partnership for Public Service are tracking how many career experts are leaving the government. If the scientists and experts leave, the quality of government services (like food safety or air traffic control) changes.
- Check Your Local Impact: Look at how state-level funding for education and healthcare is shifting. A lot of the Project 2025 goals involve "returning power to the states," which often just means "cutting federal checks."
The biggest mistake people make is thinking this is a temporary political phase. Whether you love the direction or hate it, the structural changes being made right now in 2026 are designed to last for decades. It’s not just a second term; it’s a different system.
Stay sharp. The next few months are going to be even busier as the administration tries to lock in these changes before the midterms. Watch the personnel appointments—because that’s where the real power is hiding.
Next Steps for You:
- Download a copy of the original "Mandate for Leadership" to see which chapters are being cited in current executive orders.
- Monitor the "Schedule F" litigation in federal courts, as this will determine if the President can legally fire 50,000 civil servants.
- Review your state's stance on federal grants, as many Project 2025 policies require states to opt into new, more restrictive funding requirements.