Project 2025 applicants revealed to have far-right influences in leaked files

Documents obtained from a major right-wing think tank, the Heritage Foundation, indicate that applicants to a Project 2025 initiative, aimed at building a talent pool for a potential Trump administration, cited Nazi theorists and other far-right figures as influences on their political beliefs. While not all applicants revealed in the leak ultimately joined the administration, several current appointees had submitted applications.

In the midst of ongoing debates within the conservative movement over antisemitism and far-right influence, the materials show that at least seven members of a nationwide network of men-only, nativist, and antisemitic clubs applied for positions, highlighting intersections between mainstream Republican circles and extremist ideologies.

Hannah Gais, a senior analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center, said these findings reflect Project 2025s reactionary goals and the no enemies to the right strategy. She added that applicants likely felt safe openly citing radical thinkers.

Project 2025 was conceived by Heritage to shape the policies and personnel of a second Trump administration along far-right lines. One major goal, as reported in 2024, was creating a database of politically aligned candidates. Project director Paul Dans described it as a conservative LinkedIn, targeting around 20,000 potential recruits. Applicants were invited through the Presidential Administration Academy, which gained attention in conservative media and had its training videos leaked in August 2024.

The leaked database, released by the nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDOSecrets) in June 2025, contained 13,726 applications. Most were serious submissions, though a small number clearly mocked Heritage and the Trump movement. Applicants detailed their political philosophy, influences, preferred books, and stances on policies such as immigration.

Among those cited by applicants was Carl Schmitt, a German political theorist associated with the Nazi regime. Scholars note Schmitts work legitimized authoritarian and antisemitic policies. Some applicants, including current administration officials Paul Ingrassia and Max Matheu, listed Schmitts writings as key influences. Their applications emphasized the friend-enemy political distinction central to Schmitts theory and framed politics as conflict between homogeneous groups.

Other applicants expressed admiration for El Salvadors authoritarian president, Nayib Bukele, praising his tough on crime policies and advocating for a more centralized U.S. presidency. Several cited Jared Taylor, a prominent white nationalist, and other far-right thinkers, linking their political philosophy to nativist and anti-democratic ideas.

The leak also revealed applications from members of the Old Glory Club, a secretive men-only far-right network. Though none are known to have been employed in the administration, their submissions openly espoused discriminatory views and aligned with extremist ideologies.

Heritage has stated they could not verify the political beliefs of applicants submitted via the public portal. They dismissed inquiries from media outlets, asserting that publications reporting on the materials are biased.

The findings highlight the intersection of mainstream conservative politics with far-right ideology, showing the extent to which extremist thought has influenced individuals seeking positions in government through Project 2025.

Author: Sophia Brooks