In the United States, there has been a growing political movement led by far-right groups who want to change the way our government works. One of the main efforts behind this movement is called Project 2025. This plan is full of radical ideas that threaten American democracy and personal freedoms. However, it’s not just a political theory anymore with Donald Trump officially being announced as the 47th President of the United States. It’s already being put into action in many states. If Project 2025 continues to gain power, it could seriously harm the freedoms we all take for granted, from the right to choose what we learn, to the ability to control our own bodies and the right to vote.
One of the most dangerous aspects of Project 2025 is its push to give the president domineering power. The plan suggests that the president should have complete control over federal agencies, which are supposed to be independent. This means the president could fire government workers who don’t agree with them, and replace them with people who have demonstrated loyalty. This idea goes against a value instrumental to our functioning government: the idea of having checks and balances to make sure no one branch has majority control. By concentrating power in the hands of one person, Project 2025 would undermine the independence of government agencies and make it easier for a president to push through their own agenda without any real opposition, essentially establishing a dictatorship.
This isn’t just a plan on paper. States like Florida, Texas, and others are already implementing some of these ideas. For example, in Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has been at the forefront of banning books and canceling courses that he believes don’t fit his political agenda. Thousands of books, the majority about race, gender, identity, and overall personal ideals have been removed from school libraries. In some places, educators are even being threatened with jail time for giving students access to books that conservative politicians don’t like. In addition, DeSantis blocked both AP African American Studies courses and an AP Psychology course after the College Board refused to remove long-standing sections on gender and sexual orientation from the courses. This censorship is used to limit students’ access to important topics in history and the ability to learn about themselves and explore their developing ideals. This kind of censorship is a direct attack on free speech and the ability for students to learn and think for themselves.
The attack on education is just the beginning. Project 2025 also wants to take away people’s rights to make decisions about their own bodies. This includes making it harder for women and others to access abortion or birth control. States like Texas, Alabama, and Idaho have already passed strict laws that make it almost impossible for people to get an abortion, even in cases where it’s necessary for their health. Some states are even trying to limit access to birth control, like emergency contraception and IUDs, which would take away people’s ability to control their reproductive health. These moves are a direct attack on personal freedom, and they would force people to make life-altering decisions based on what politicians think is best for them.
Another troubling part of Project 2025 is its plan to weaken worker protections. The proposal calls for cutting budgets for the U.S. Department of Labor, which enforces laws that protect workers. It also wants to loosen restrictions on child labor, allowing kids to work longer hours and in dangerous conditions. States like Florida and Iowa have already passed laws that make it easier for businesses to exploit young workers. These laws put profits over people’s safety and dignity. It’s clear that Project 2025 doesn’t care about the well-being of workers, especially those who are already vulnerable.
What’s even more dangerous is how Project 2025 aims to control elections. The plan suggests weakening the Federal Election Commission and allowing political leaders to control the election process. States like Georgia, Arizona, and Texas have already made it harder for people—especially people of color—to vote. These states have passed laws that restrict voting, making it more difficult for citizens to have a say in their government. Project 2025 would make it even easier for politicians to manipulate the election process, ensuring that only certain people’s votes count.
In the end, Project 2025 is a clear move toward authoritarianism, where a small group of powerful people control everything, and the rights of everyday Americans are ignored. The project is not just a set of policies, it’s a dangerous vision for an America where freedom and democracy no longer exist in the way we know them, some even go as far as to say that if this plan goes through it will plunge America into a fascist government. These changes are already happening in many states, and they threaten to strip us of our rights, including the right to choose what we learn, the right to decide what happens to our bodies, and the right to vote.
As students, young voters, and active citizens, we have to stay informed about and speak out against these policies. If we don’t, we could lose the freedoms that make America unique. We have the power to stop this, but only if we stand up for what’s right and demand our voices be heard. Our democracy is at risk, and it’s up to us to protect it.
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