Trump’s Transition Team Allegedly Prepares Staff Blacklist Amid Heritage Foundation Controversy

Former President Donald Trump‘s transition team is reportedly preparing a blacklist of individuals who are to be barred from participating in any future administration, according to several sources. This initiative is being led by Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., as they aim to exclude individuals with connections to a controversial document produced by the Heritage Foundation. The 922-page document proposes significant changes to the U.S. government, including the mass firing of civil servants and outlawing abortion.

The document, known as Project 2025, has been publicly disowned by Trump following polls indicating its drastic proposals were harming his electoral prospects. Many contributors to this document, including its former director Paul Dans, had previous roles within Trump’s administration. As noted by a former official, “Clearly people working on [Project 2025] are blacklisted.”

Additionally, the blacklist targets those who resigned in protest over Trump’s perceived incitement of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Key figures such as Betsy DeVos, former Education Secretary, Mick Mulvaney, former White House Chief of Staff, and Elaine Chao, former Transportation Secretary, are among those who left the administration during its final days.

Howard Lutnick, co-chair of Trump’s transition team, stated that future appointees would need to show unwavering “fidelity” to Trump and his agenda. He asserted that the Heritage Foundation and those linked to its Project 2025 are considered “radioactive.” The exclusion list is seen as a significant indicator of a potentially revamped Trump administration that would prioritize loyalty over traditional governmental roles.

In parallel political developments, Vice President Kamala Harris has launched a campaign ad aiming to portray Trump as “unhinged, unstable and unchecked.” This comes amid wider Democratic efforts to connect Trump’s policies with detrimental effects on social security, Medicare, and women’s rights.

The ad, which will air in several battleground states, directly addresses Project 2025 as a key point of concern. Harris has further asked questions regarding Trump’s mental acuity and his refusal to release recent medical records, emphasizing that Trump might be hiding significant health issues.

Trump’s campaign has rebutted these claims, labeling Harris as “unhinged” for advocating policies that they argue have harmed American livelihoods and security. The Republican campaign continues to assert that Trump speaks directly to the pressing issues of the economy and immigration.