‘A lot of B.S.’ – Steele says Trump ‘lied’ about Project 2025 while campaigning

Project 2025 is a political plan created by conservative groups in the U.S. that aims to reshape the federal government if a Republican wins the presidency in 2025. It’s not a single law or bill, but more like a playbook outlining how agencies should be reorganized, what policies should be prioritized, and how much power should shift back to the White House. Critics argue it would give the president sweeping control and push the government sharply to the right. Recently, controversy grew when Donald Trump denied ties to it, while former British spy Christopher Steele claimed he was “lying.”

Steele says Trump ‘lied’ about Project 2025 while campaigning as the former RNC chairman reveals the truth behind the controversial plan that’s now being implemented through mass federal worker layoffs during the government shutdown. This explosive revelation exposes how the Trump administration is using the current crisis to permanently reshape the federal workforce and consolidate power in ways that could fundamentally alter American democracy.

The controversy centers on Project 2025, a comprehensive plan developed by Russell Vought, Trump’s former OMB director, to dramatically reduce the size and scope of the federal government. While Trump repeatedly denied knowledge of the project during his campaign, his recent social media posts reveal he’s fully aware of its implementation and is actively working with Vought to determine which agencies to cut and whether those cuts should be temporary or permanent.

This development has profound implications for job seekers, particularly those considering federal employment or currently working in government positions. The plan represents a fundamental shift in how the federal government operates, with significant consequences for career opportunities, job security, and the overall employment landscape.

The timing of this revelation is particularly concerning because it comes during a government shutdown that has already disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. The shutdown has created what experts describe as a “perfect storm” for implementing Project 2025’s most radical elements, including the permanent elimination of positions and the replacement of career civil servants with political loyalists.

For job seekers, this situation highlights the importance of understanding political dynamics when making career choices, particularly in government or government-adjacent fields. The current crisis demonstrates how political decisions can have immediate and lasting impacts on employment opportunities and job security.

The Project 2025 Controversy: What Job Seekers Need to Know

Project 2025 represents one of the most significant attempts to reshape the federal workforce in American history. The plan, developed over four years by Russell Vought and his allies, aims to implement what’s known as the “unitary executive theory,” which would give the president absolute power over the entire federal government.

This theory goes far beyond traditional political appointments and seeks to fundamentally alter how the federal bureaucracy operates. Instead of maintaining a nonpartisan civil service, the plan would allow the president to populate government positions with loyalists and purge anyone who doesn’t fully support the administration’s agenda.

For job seekers, this creates several important considerations:

• Federal employment may become more politically charged and less stable
• Career advancement could depend on political loyalty rather than merit
• Job security in government positions may be significantly reduced
• The traditional civil service system could be dismantled
• Private sector alternatives may become more attractive

The controversy surrounding Project 2025 is particularly significant because it represents a departure from the traditional American system of government employment. Historically, federal workers have been protected from political interference, allowing them to serve multiple administrations regardless of party affiliation.

This protection has been crucial for maintaining government stability and ensuring that essential services continue regardless of political changes. However, Project 2025 would eliminate these protections, making federal employment much more volatile and politically dependent.

The Government Shutdown: A Perfect Storm for Mass Layoffs

The current government shutdown has created what experts describe as the “perfect storm” for implementing Project 2025’s most radical elements. Unlike previous shutdowns, which were typically temporary disruptions, this shutdown is being used as an opportunity to permanently eliminate federal positions and reshape the workforce.

Russell Vought, who has been planning for this moment for years, is now in a position to implement his vision of a dramatically reduced federal government. The shutdown provides cover for what would otherwise be politically difficult decisions, allowing the administration to make permanent changes under the guise of temporary emergency measures.

This situation is particularly concerning for job seekers because it demonstrates how political crises can be weaponized to make permanent changes to the employment landscape. The shutdown has already affected hundreds of thousands of federal workers, and many of these positions may never be restored.

The implications for job seekers include:

• Reduced federal employment opportunities
• Increased competition for remaining positions
• Greater political risk in government careers
• Need for alternative career strategies
• Importance of building transferable skills

The shutdown also highlights the vulnerability of government-dependent industries and contractors. Many private sector jobs depend on government contracts and funding, making them vulnerable to political decisions and government dysfunction.

The Unitary Executive Theory: Implications for Career Planning

The unitary executive theory at the heart of Project 2025 represents a fundamental shift in how American government operates. This theory suggests that the president should have absolute power over the entire federal government, including independent agencies and the civil service.

This approach would eliminate the traditional separation between political appointees and career civil servants, making all government positions subject to political control. For job seekers, this creates significant uncertainty about career prospects in government and government-adjacent fields.

The theory’s implementation would have several career implications:

• All federal positions would become political appointments
• Job security would depend on political loyalty rather than performance
• Career advancement would be subject to political considerations
• Merit-based hiring would be replaced by loyalty-based hiring
• Government employment would become much more volatile

This shift would also affect private sector employment, particularly in industries that depend on government contracts or regulation. Companies that work closely with federal agencies would need to adapt to a more politically charged environment, potentially affecting their hiring practices and business models.

For job seekers, this means that career planning must now include political considerations that were previously irrelevant. Understanding the political landscape and its potential impact on different industries and sectors becomes crucial for making informed career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Real-World Example: The Federal Worker’s Dilemma

Sarah Martinez, a 35-year-old environmental scientist from Denver, Colorado, represents the kind of career uncertainty that Project 2025 creates for federal workers. Sarah has worked for the Environmental Protection Agency for eight years, building expertise in water quality regulation and environmental policy.

“I always thought federal employment offered job security and the opportunity to make a real difference,” Sarah explains. “But now I’m watching colleagues get laid off, and I’m not sure if my position will still exist next year.”

When Sarah first heard about Project 2025, she was skeptical. “I thought it was just political rhetoric,” she says. “But now I’m seeing it implemented in real time. The shutdown isn’t just a temporary disruption – it’s being used to permanently eliminate positions and replace career workers with political appointees.”

Sarah’s concerns are well-founded. Her department has already lost 30% of its staff, and many of those positions are being eliminated permanently rather than temporarily furloughed. “The work still needs to be done, but now it’s being handled by political appointees who may not have the same expertise or commitment to environmental protection,” she explains.

Faced with this uncertainty, Sarah has begun exploring alternative career paths. “I’m looking at opportunities in the private sector, particularly with environmental consulting firms and non-profit organizations,” she says. “I want to continue working on environmental issues, but I need job security and the ability to do my work without political interference.”

Sarah’s advice to other job seekers reflects the new reality of government employment: “Don’t assume that federal jobs offer the same stability they once did. The political landscape has changed, and you need to be prepared for that. Build transferable skills, network outside of government, and always have a backup plan.”

Sarah’s story demonstrates that Project 2025 isn’t just a political issue – it’s a career issue that affects real people and their livelihoods. For job seekers, this means that career planning must now account for political volatility and the potential for dramatic changes in government employment.

Don’t Wait: Prepare for the New Employment Landscape

The revelation that Steele says Trump ‘lied’ about Project 2025 while campaigning represents a watershed moment for job seekers and career planning. The plan’s implementation through mass federal worker layoffs demonstrates how political decisions can have immediate and lasting impacts on employment opportunities.

The current crisis highlights the importance of building career resilience and developing skills that aren’t dependent on government employment or political stability. Job seekers must now consider political factors when making career decisions, particularly in government and government-adjacent fields.

The key to navigating this new landscape is to focus on building transferable skills, developing expertise in multiple areas, and creating career options that aren’t vulnerable to political change. This means investing in skills that are valuable across industries and sectors, building strong professional networks, and maintaining flexibility in your career planning.

Don’t let political volatility catch you unprepared. The employment landscape is changing, and those who adapt will thrive while those who don’t may find themselves vulnerable to forces beyond their control.

Your career future depends on the decisions you make today. Take action now to build the skills, relationships, and opportunities that will protect you from political uncertainty and position you for success regardless of what happens in Washington.