Trump’s Real Transition Team (Part 1)

By: Steve Barasch

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard were recently named honorary co-chairs of Trump’s transition team. Their roles are mostly symbolic, meant to attract diverse voters and gain media attention. These titles give the appearance of bipartisan support, but they lack real decision-making power. The actual planning is handled by experienced staff and close advisors. This move aims to generate interest without changing the core goals of Trump’s established team members. If he already picked honorary co-chairs, then he must have a real team preparing behind the scenes.

A Half Truth

Project 2025 is widely known now. While the Trump-Vance campaign tries to distance itself from the Heritage Foundation’s blueprint, another think tank is quietly working behind the scenes. Their distancing is a strategic move to avoid backlash from moderates, but it’s not entirely genuine. They still benefit from the plan’s core goals of centralizing power and reducing government oversight. A hidden approach offers more flexibility for a potential second Trump term, using lessons from past criticisms of authoritarianism. Though Trump-Vance denial of any involvement with the project, there is a stealth think tank working in the shadows which is tied to Project 2025.

The Trump campaign is doing everything and anything to keep the focus away from what is and who is shaping the policy of a possible second term. At the core is Project 2025 in other form. Will it get any more bizarre than cats and dogs being eaten by Hattians? It may.

Trump’s Real Transition Team

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is a conservative think tank created in 2021 by key people from Trump’s first administration. It promotes the “America First” agenda, which was central to Trump’s presidency, and it is preparing for a possible second term. AFPI shares similar goals with other conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. However, it works in a way that is more carefully aligned with Trump’s vision.

AFPI and Project 2025 both support similar ideas, like reducing government rules, cutting back on government power, having strong immigration controls, and focusing on energy independence. They also agree on education reform, repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), limiting access to abortion, and having a strong national defense. Because of these shared goals, it’s likely that about 70-80% of the policies backed by AFPI are similar if not the same to those of Project 2025.

AFPI’s Quiet Strategy

AFPI has chosen to keep a low profile compared to other conservative think tanks to avoid controversy. Unlike Project 2025, which has been in the news a lot and has been criticized for its detailed plans to change the federal government, AFPI has taken a quieter path. This allows it to avoid being a target for criticism while still having an impact on policy and strategy.

Their approach involves creating policies and preparing for a possible transition without releasing a lot of public documents that could attract negative attention. By not openly sharing detailed plans like Project 2025, AFPI stays flexible and can change its strategies to fit the political climate and avoid pushing away potential supporters.

How AFPI Affects the Middle Class and Taxes

AFPI’s policy ideas would significantly impact the middle class. Their focus on reducing government rules and cutting taxes for big companies is intended to boost the economy. However, these changes would mostly benefit wealthy people and large corporations. The middle class might see some benefits, like more jobs, but these could be outweighed by cuts to social programs and services they depend on. Proposed changes to taxes, such as flat taxes or taxes on spending, would place a bigger burden on middle- and lower-income families.

Changes to Healthcare and Women’s Rights

AFPI wants to get rid of or greatly reduce the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This would lead to many people losing their healthcare coverage or facing higher insurance costs. The group supports a more private, market-based healthcare system, which would help those with higher incomes but would mean higher costs and less coverage for middle- and lower-income families.

On women’s rights, AFPI backs policies that would make it harder to access abortion and reproductive healthcare. This could include supporting state-level bans, reducing federal funding for clinics, and creating national restrictions. Cutting funding for organizations like Planned Parenthood would limit access to family planning and preventive care, particularly affecting low-income and middle-class women.

Potential Changes to Social Security and Medicare

Both AFPI and Project 2025 want to reduce federal spending, which could mean changes to programs like Social Security and Medicare. These changes might include raising the retirement age, testing benefits based on income, or moving to more private or voucher-based systems. Such reforms could lead to higher costs for seniors and fewer benefits for future retirees, raising concerns about the security of retirement and healthcare affordability.

Workers’ Rights and Labor Protections

AFPI supports reducing labor laws and the power of unions. This could lead to weaker labor standards, affecting things like overtime pay, workplace safety, and job security. Proposals for “at-will employment” for federal workers would increase accountability but also make the workforce more political and reduce job security. Reducing the role of agencies like the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) would limit workers’ ability to deal with unfair labor practices.

Foreign Policy

AFPI’s foreign policy vision, much like Trump’s, is built on the principles of sovereignty, minimal intervention, and a strong defense posture, often advocating for a reassessment of multilateral agreements, such as NATO, reducing reliance on international organizations, and placing U.S. interests ahead of global cooperation at the expense of shared intelligence and diplomacy. This also mirrors the policy of Project 2025

Impact and Goals

AFPI’s efforts show it is a key player in preparing for a possible second Trump administration. It focuses on strategic planning and deep connections to Trump’s team. By staying quiet and well-prepared, AFPI could influence future U.S. policies in a significant way.

Funding and Key People in AFPI

AFPI is a nonprofit organization, so it does not have to disclose its donors publicly. This allows it to get funding from wealthy individuals and corporations who support conservative causes without being transparent or what is referred to as ‘dark money’. In 2022, AFPI raised $23.6 million. In 2023, AFPI continued to fundraise, though specific numbers for 2023 alone are not clearly stated. Their financial support comes primarily from donations, making up about 97.7% of their total revenue. They also received around $522,000 from net fundraising activities, contributing to their overall financial growth. This funding helps AFPI hire former Trump officials and promote its policy goals. Key players in AFPI include:

Linda McMahon – Chair of the AFPI board and former head of the Small Business Administration under Trump. She is involved in planning for a possible second Trump term.
Brooke Rollins – CEO of AFPI and former Director of the Domestic Policy Council in the Trump White House. She helps develop policy strategies and draft executive orders.
Larry Kudlow – Former Director of the National Economic Council under Trump. He focuses on economic policies that align with Trump’s goals for tax cuts and deregulation.
Keith Kellogg – Former National Security Advisor to Vice President Mike Pence. He provides expertise on national defense and security policy.
Rick Perry – Former Secretary of Energy and former Governor of Texas. He promotes policies supporting fossil fuels and energy deregulation.
Chad Wolf – He was the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security under Trump. Wolf is involved in AFPI’s planning, especially for policies about immigration and national security.
Pam Bondi – She was the Attorney General of Florida and is a close ally of Trump. Bondi leads AFPI’s Constitutional Litigation Partnership, which focuses on legal strategies to support conservative policies in court.
Betsy DeVos – She was Trump’s Secretary of Education. While she isn’t a formal leader in AFPI, her ideas on school choice and reducing federal control in education are supported by AFPI.
Scott Turner – A former NFL player and leader of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council under Trump. He co-leads AFPI’s Center for Opportunity Now, which works on economic revitalization and community development.
Robert O’Brien – He was the National Security Advisor to President Trump. Though he isn’t officially listed as part of AFPI, he often participates in policy discussions that align with the group’s goals.
Kellyanne Conway – She was a senior advisor and campaign manager to Trump. Now, she is the chair of AFPI’s Center for the American Child. She focuses on family policies, children’s rights (interchangeable with parental rights), and education. Conway uses her skills in political strategy and communication to help AFPI with public messaging and promoting their agenda. (link is also at the end of this article)

Groups Connected to AFPI

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is closely connected to several conservative and pro-Trump organizations. Here are some key groups linked to AFPI:

The Heritage Foundation: This influential conservative think tank shares many policy goals with AFPI, particularly through its Project 2025, focusing on reducing federal government power and promoting deregulation.
Save America PAC: Trump’s political action committee has provided support to AFPI, aligning their interests and connecting AFPI directly with Trump’s political strategy for a potential second term.
Former Trump Administration Officials: Many key figures from the Trump administration, such as Linda McMahon, Brooke Rollins, Larry Kudlow, and Chad Wolf, are deeply involved with AFPI, reflecting its strong connection to Trump’s first term in office.
Conservative Dark Money Networks: AFPI is funded primarily through donations, many of which come from wealthy individuals and corporations whose identities remain undisclosed, allowing it to operate within the broader “dark money” framework seen in many conservative political organizations.

In addition to the key figures and groups connected directly to the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), several other organizations and networks are linked to AFPI and its policy goals:

Turning Point USA: A conservative youth organization led by Charlie Kirk, which promotes pro-Trump policies, shares some ideological and policy overlaps with AFPI, particularly in areas of economic and social conservatism.
The Federalist Society: This group, focused on promoting conservative legal principles, aligns with AFPI’s push for a more conservative judiciary and reduced regulatory oversight, particularly in areas of labor and environmental law.
Club for Growth: This conservative advocacy group, which focuses on economic policy and tax cuts, is often aligned with AFPI’s push for reducing taxes and deregulating businesses to promote growth.
FreedomWorks: A grassroots conservative organization that advocates for smaller government and fewer regulations, FreedomWorks shares common goals with AFPI, particularly regarding government oversight and economic policy.
Koch Network: While not directly tied to AFPI, the Koch political network, with its focus on free-market principles and deregulation, aligns with many of the policy objectives of AFPI, particularly in the areas of healthcare and tax reform.
Judicial Crisis Network: Focused on shaping the judiciary, this network’s goals align with AFPI’s aim to support conservative judicial appointments and decisions that reflect their vision of limited government and deregulation.

These organizations, through financial backing or shared ideological goals, contribute to the broader network of conservative groups that influence and support AFPI’s policy initiatives.

Trump’s Connection

Trump himself is strongly connected to AFPI. He has endorsed their work and taken part in AFPI events, including hosting fundraisers at his Mar-a-Lago club. His political action committee, Save America, has also donated to AFPI, showing that AFPI is closely aligned with his ideas for a possible second term. This connection helps AFPI act as a key advisor and planner for Trump without being directly part of his campaign.

AFPI’s Transition Team and Executive Orders

AFPI has been quietly working on plans for a possible Trump transition team by interviewing over 1,000 former administration officials, reviewing executive orders from the Biden administration, and drafting more than 100 proposed executive actions. These preparations are designed to help a new Trump administration quickly roll back certain policies and introduce new ones that match conservative priorities.

The Role of Trump’s Sons

Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are not officially part of AFPI’s leadership, but they support the group by helping with fundraising, public events, and promoting AFPI’s ideas to Trump’s supporters. Their involvement helps keep AFPI connected to Trump’s base and his political strategies.

Why AFPI Matters

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) plays an important role in getting ready for a possible second Trump administration. By focusing on quiet but strategic planning and keeping strong ties with Trump’s team, AFPI is in a position to have a big influence on future government policies. Understanding who is involved in AFPI, where they get their money, and what strategies they use is important. As the MAGA campaign attempts to distance itself from Project 2025, the AFPI is quietly and strategically working in the background. Their agenda to adopt or subtly modify the Project 2025 blueprint is a significant concern. This plan involves centralizing power, reducing government oversight, and shifting control to a more authoritarian model. While the Trump-Vance campaign publicly distances itself, the quiet adjustments and influence from aligned think tanks suggest that key elements of Project 2025 are still in play. This approach raises questions about transparency and the potential impacts on government structure and individual freedoms.

Trump’s Real Transition Team – Part 2- Center for the American Child

Trump’s Real Transition Team -Part 3- In The Shadows

Also See : What is the “America First” Policy?