“Explaining Project 2025” with Don Moynihan

This is the third podcast we’ve done about Project 2025. And it’s the first one we’ve done after Project 2025 has become so well known that Donald Trump had to pretend to disavow it. Much of the credit for exposing the public goes to Taraji P. Henson, who made this abomination "the talk of the BET Awards.” And to John Oliver, whose full-episode deep dive into the plan to politicize the entire federal government focused on the personnel aspect of the plan. 

The “how” of the plan is crucial, given that people are starting to become familiar with the ridiculously retrograde policy provisions. Swing voters – reluctant Dems and “double haters" – continually say they don’t believe Trump can make his dictatorial fantasies come true. And the mechanics of the people part of the plan prove that Republicans are ready to take Trump to the Fantasy Suite. One big reason John Oliver’s explainer was so good was that it was informed in part by Don Moynihan, who is the McCourt Chair of Public Policy at the McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, at least until he moves to the University of Michigan in fall. Don focuses on “studying, teaching, and thinking about how governments function and how to make them better.” He’s also the Sultan of Schedule F, at least according to us, because he was one of the loudest voices warning about Trump’s radical plans for the federal government when they were first announced almost four years ago.

Last Week Tonight picked the perfect person to talk to about Project 2025. And so did we. He gave us his perspective on how the piece came together, his view on what he would have added if there had been five more minutes in the episode, and his reaction to the avalanche of brutal anti-democratic rulings from the Supreme Court over the last month.

Listen to “Taking Project 2025 personally” with Andra Watkins and “Thank you, Project 2025” with Thomas Zimmer.

Catch up on all the episodes of “How are you feeling about democracy?” here.

If you want to be a supporter this podcast, please join the earlyworm society – free or paid, your support matters.