Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has issued a sweeping series of executive orders and policy changes, many of which closely align with Project 2025, a roadmap developed by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. This initiative serves as a blueprint for restructuring the federal government, aiming to reduce bureaucracy, expand executive power, and implement conservative policies across federal agencies.
A Time analysis found that nearly two-thirds of Trump’s executive actions “mirror or partially mirror” Project 2025’s proposals, reshaping fundamental aspects of education, healthcare, environmental regulations, immigration policy, and social programs. However, Project 2025 is more than just a policy framework—it represents a structured plan to overhaul federal institutions, dismantling longstanding systems and redefining economic and social policies.
Trump’s Executive Orders and Their Impact on Everyday Americans
The effects of these changes are far-reaching, influencing public education funding, healthcare access, entitlement programs, income taxes, disaster relief efforts, and social welfare services. As these policies take effect, federal protections shrink, ideological governance expands, and essential programs face major cuts, leaving Americans to navigate an uncertain future.
Executive Orders Driving Change
Trump has relied heavily on executive authority to implement this agenda, often bypassing Congressional oversight. To date, he has signed 145 executive orders in his second term, many of which directly reflect Project 2025’s goals, including:
- Dismantling the Department of Education, shifting education policy to state control.
- Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies.
- Reinstating Schedule F, making it easier to fire federal employees and replace them with politically aligned personnel.
- Expanding immigration crackdowns, including stricter border enforcement and asylum restrictions.
- Rolling back environmental protections, expanding fossil fuel production, and weakening climate regulations.
- Restructuring federal agencies, such as FEMA, USAID, and the Social Security Administration
Impact on Healthcare and Social Programs
Defunding healthcare and social programs will have major consequences for millions of Americans, particularly those who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and food assistance. Proposed budget cuts and policy shifts under Project 2025 and Trump’s executive actions will lead to reduced access to medical care, financial instability for seniors, and increased poverty rates.
Healthcare System Changes
- Medicaid funding reductions will leave millions without health coverage, particularly low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
- Medicare cost increases will force seniors to pay more for prescriptions, doctor visits, and hospital stays.
- Rural hospital closures may limit access to care in underserved areas, as these facilities rely on Medicaid reimbursements to function.
Social Security Overhaul
- Trump’s executive order mandates electronic payments for Social Security benefits, ending paper checks by September 30, 2025.
- Stricter Identity Verification requires beneficiaries to use two-factor authentication online or visit an SSA office in person to update information.
- Staff reductions—the SSA has cut approximately 5,500 employees and closed or is in the process of closing offices in multiple states.
Project 2025 Social Security Proposals
- Benefit reductions for higher-income retirees.
- Raising the retirement age, delaying benefit access and forcing seniors to work longer.
- Privatization efforts, shifting Social Security toward individual investment accounts.
Impact on Education
One of the most far-reaching consequences of these policies is the shift in federal education priorities. Proposed cuts to the Department of Education and its programs push education policy toward state and local control, raising concerns about funding disparities and access to quality education.
Education Changes
- Defunding Public Schools – Title I funding, which supports low-income schools, faces major cuts, leading to larger class sizes, fewer resources, and reduced teacher salaries.
- Eliminating Head Start – Although Trump initially announced he would defund the program, immense public pressure forced him to reversed his initial decision.
- Scaling Back Special Education Protections – Federal oversight of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is being reduced, leaving states to determine funding levels, which could result in fewer resources for 7.5 million students with disabilities.
Impact on Food Assistance & Nutrition Programs
Food assistance programs are critical for low-income families, children, seniors, and individuals facing food insecurity. These programs ensure access to nutritious meals, affecting health, education, and economic stability.
Cuts to Nutrition Assistance
- Project 2025 proposes major cuts to SNAP, potentially leading to higher food insecurity for millions of low-income families.
- Meals on Wheels is facing funding reductions, impacting elderly individuals who rely on meal deliveries.
- National School Lunch Program changes would reduce the number of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, leaving families struggling with food insecurity.
Impact on Climate and Environmental Policies
Trump’s environmental policies—many of which align with Project 2025—have focused on rolling back regulations, expanding fossil fuel production, and reducing federal oversight on climate initiatives.
Key Changes & Consequences
- Increased reliance on fossil fuels might lead to short-term reductions in energy costs, but long-term instability due to market fluctuations.
- Cuts to renewable energy incentives could slow the transition to solar and wind power, affecting job growth in clean energy sectors.
- Loosening emission regulations will increase air pollution, leading to higher rates of respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases.
- Cuts to climate research funding will limit efforts to track and mitigate environmental hazards, affecting public health.
- Expansion of fossil fuel industries may create short-term job opportunities, but could lead to long-term instability.
- Reduced investment in green technology will slow innovation, affecting industries focused on sustainable development.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
Trump’s executive orders and Project 2025’s policy framework represent a fundamental shift in governance, restructuring education, healthcare, entitlement programs, disaster relief, and environmental policy. Critics warn of economic instability, reduced social protections, and increased financial hardship for vulnerable populations. As Americans adapt to these policy shifts, the nation faces a crossroads—one where government oversight diminishes, federal protections shrink, and ideological governance reshapes daily life.