As the U.S. braces for the return of Donald Trump to the presidency, progressive organizations are gearing up for a formidable opposition. At the forefront is the Heritage Foundation’s controversial “Project 2025,” an extensive far-right policy agenda that promises sweeping changes to government protocol. Spearheading the resistance is Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward, who is launching a new coalition named “Democracy 2025” to challenge these initiatives through legal and advocacy channels.
“Democracy 2025,” founded in response to the perceived threats posed by the previous administration under Trump, aims to combat these and new potential threats using a sturdier approach than in the past. During Trump’s first term, implemented policies such as the Muslim travel ban and the Title 10 family planning restrictions triggered a scramble among legal and advocacy groups, which quickly responded with lawsuits and public advocacy.
Under Trump’s administration, many policy changes, often less visible, posed significant threats not only to individuals but to the rule of law in the U.S., according to Perryman. Over his term, Democracy Forward took legal action against the administration more than 100 times on various issues, including contentious voter fraud inquiries and abrupt cuts to bipartisan health initiatives.
Trump’s tenure also spotlighted deeper societal divisions and a shift towards judicial and legal extremism, which escalated national discourse around critical issues like abortion rights following the significant Dobbs Supreme Court decision. Perryman returned to Democracy Forward in 2021, driven by a recognition that threats to democracy and individual rights were escalating, not declining, even as Trump left office.
Her insights reveal a strategic shift in political tactics by Trump and his team. Despite the controversial nature of Project 2025, particularly its stance on LGBTQ+ rights and climate policy, Trump and his running mate JD Vance distanced themselves from the plan, responding to its unpopularity among voters. However, Perryman notes that they have not severed ties with influential groups supporting these extreme agendas, signaling an intent to push forward with those policies in the upcoming term.
To fortify their defenses, Democracy 2025 has garnered support from influential figures and groups including Noah Bookbinder of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington; Norm Eisen, a former ethics czar under Barack Obama; the National Women’s Law Center; and the National Immigration Law Center.
Despite the formidable power shift anticipated in Washington with Republicans controlling both the White House and Congress, Perryman remains optimistic about the power of mobilized communities and legal frameworks to counteract harmful policies. She cites the resilience demonstrated by American voters in recent elections where, despite the far-right’s agenda, ballot measures protecting abortion rights in conservative states passed, potentially indicating a broader disapproval of extreme policies represented by Project 2025.
Nevertheless, the landscape remains challenging. For every step forward, such as successes in judicial appointments under Biden surpassing those in Trump’s first term, there are new challenges. The composition of the Supreme Court significantly tilts right, and midterm elections loom, guaranteeing a volatile political climate.
Yet, from previous public responses against attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act to failed nominations of controversial figures like Matt Gaetz for key legal positions, public and legal resistance has proven impactful. As Perryman emphasizes, the ongoing resistance is not merely defensive but a proactive effort to preserve and protect democratic values.
The ongoing scenario underscores a crucial period in U.S. politics where legal and public actions intertwine, illustrating the enduring strength and challenge in upholding democracy in times of turmoil.
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