In a dramatic turn of events that unfolded amid a tense government shutdown, former President Donald Trump has finally acknowledged his support for the controversial Project 2025, a detailed blueprint largely crafted by the Heritage Foundation and associated with sweeping presidential powers and government reductions. This confession starkly contrasts his previous claims of ignorance about the project’s origins and intentions.

“Watch what I do, not what I say,” seems to have taken a literal meaning as Trump, following his re-election, implemented measures that starkly reflect the Project 2025 agenda. The strategy, criticized by many as a pathway to expanded presidential authority at the expense of federal structures, was previously denounced by Trump during his campaign as unrelated to his policies or vision.

The public and political analysts alike have seen a pattern where Trump’s actions align closely with Project 2025’s proposals. Since his inauguration, he has issued over fifty directives that include significant cutbacks on diversity policies and controversial pardons linked to the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. A substantial portion of these directives bear a resemblance to the project's published content, suggesting a deep-seated alignment that Trump had fervently denied.

The political fallout has been significant. Both Democratic and some Republican voters have expressed their discontent with Project 2025. Despite this, Trump’s recent actions and statements during the shutdown have unveiled a deliberate strategy to employ the project’s guidelines actively. In a bold post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his ongoing consultation with Russ Vought, a key figure in Project 2025, to discuss significant cuts to what he termed "Democrat Agencies."

This shutdown has not only highlighted the administrative tactics employed by Trump but has also revealed a willingness to use these moments of crisis to push forward a highly partisan agenda that could reshape federal governance extensively. The actions taken so far include halting funds aimed at Democratic-led states and targeting environmental initiatives, which Trump disparagingly refers to as the "Green New Scam."

The implications of Trump’s recent admissions are profound, casting a long shadow over his previous term and setting a precedented approach to his current administration’s operations. Former Vice President Kamala Harris commented on the situation, suggesting that Project 2025 was always part of Trump’s strategy to consolidate power in a manner that restricts public freedoms visibly and substantively.

As the U.S. navigates through these turbulent times, the revelations surrounding Project 2025 serve as a reminder of the complex interplay between political rhetoric and actual governance. What was once dismissed by Trump as irrelevant and unendorsed has now been embraced openly, marking a significant pivot in his political maneuvering and potentially setting the stage for a contentious period in American politics where presidential power faces few boundaries.