Harris Slams Trump Over Project 2025 During Debate

Trump

The presidential debate between Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump ignited as Harris aimed to link Trump directly to Project 2025.

At a Glance

  • Vice President Kamala Harris linked Project 2025 to former President Donald Trump during a debate.
  • Project 2025 is a comprehensive plan by the Heritage Foundation to overhaul the federal government.
  • The plan includes significant changes such as increased presidential control and reductions in government employment.
  • Trump denied any connection to the plan and stated he had not read Project 2025.

Harris Criticizes Trump Over Project 2025

During the recent presidential debate, Vice-President Kamala Harris seized the opportunity to hold former President Donald Trump accountable for the controversial Project 2025. This initiative, a 922-page manifesto created by the Heritage Foundation, proposes sweeping changes to the federal government, including increasing presidential control and dismissing up to 50,000 federal workers to replace them with loyalists. By highlighting this plan, Harris aimed to cast a shadow on the legacy of Trump’s administration.

The Project 2025 plan also proposes shutting down key federal departments, such as the US Department of Education and Homeland Security. One of its most controversial aspects is the promotion of a “right to life” agenda through the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes measures for monitoring pregnancies and miscarriages, restricting personal freedoms regarding body autonomy, and prosecuting the distribution of abortion pills by mail. As Harris emphasized these points, she argued that Project 2025 would dramatically shift the nation’s policy trajectory towards a more autocratic governance model.

Trump Denies Any Involvement with Project 2025

Former President Donald Trump was quick to rebut Harris’s claims during the debate, unequivocally denying any involvement with Project 2025. “I have nothing to do with Project 2025,” Trump insisted. “That’s out there. I haven’t read it. I don’t want to read it, purposely. I’m not going to read it.” He reiterated these denials on his social media platform, Truth Social, distancing himself from the plan altogether. Trump’s approach to rebutting Harris’s accusations was straightforward, attempting to dissociate his policies and future campaign objectives from the controversial manifesto.

“I know nothing about Project 2025,” Trump previously wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them.”

Harris’s efforts to shine a light on Project 2025 during the debate came amid a politically charged atmosphere. The debate, held on September 10, 2024, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, consisted of 90 minutes with structured rules, including no opening statements and specific time frames for responses and rebuttals. This debate marked a critical moment in the race, given that President Joe Biden had recently exited the race after a poor performance and Trump had survived an assassination attempt.

Trump used his time on the debate stage to question Harris’s tenure and future plans. “Why hasn’t she done it?” he asked, pointing out what he perceived as a gap between Harris’s promises and actions during her time in office. The debate allowed both candidates to fiercely defend their platforms while challenging the legitimacy and implications of each other’s policies.

Policy Positions and Debate Highlights

The debate also saw Harris positioning herself as an advocate for middle-class support and future-oriented plans, in stark contrast to what she described as the divisive tactics of Trump. Additionally, she revealed her status as a gun owner, countering Trump’s accusations regarding her stance on gun control, stating that she and Tim Walz are both gun owners. These statements were part of a broader strategy to appeal to disillusioned Republicans and moderate voters.

Throughout the debate, Trump also minimized his role in the January 6 riot, stating he only gave a speech, and questioned the relevance and value of NATO. Trump’s claim that he could broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, potentially violating the Logan Act, added further controversy to the night’s discussions.

Sources

1. Harris tries to pin Project 2025 on Trump during first minutes of presidential debate

2. ‘Why hasn’t she done it?’ – Trump attacks Harris’s White House legacy

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR