In Washington, D.C., the Heritage Foundation has become the ultimate political Cupid. Their matchmaking strategy has transformed them from a traditional think tank into the grand architect of right-wing politics, hooking up ambitious politicians with pre-packaged conservative policies. Their most devoted suitors? Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.
- When Trump took office in 2017, Heritage was so deeply embedded in Trump’s administration that the White House’s org chart could have been printed on Heritage letterhead. They helped pick everything from Supreme Court justices to cabinet members. In 2018, Heritage reported that 64% of its policy recommendations from the “Mandate for Leadership” series were embraced by the Trump administration in its first year.
- DeSantis’ relationship with the Heritage Foundation has evolved from close collaboration during his time in Congress to an even deeper partnership as Governor of Florida. He has implemented numerous policies aligned with Heritage’s recommendations, particularly in education. The govenor as been a featured speaker at Heritage events, including their 50th Anniversary Leadership Summit in 2023
TRUMP WHITE HOUSE
Several individuals associated with the Heritage Foundation and its Project 2025 initiative have been nominated for key positions in the Trump White House 2.0:
- Tom Homan: Appointed to oversee border policy
- Brendan Carr: Selected to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Russell Vought: Nominated as Director of the Office of Management and Budget
- John Ratcliffe: Intended nominee for CIA Director
- Pete Hoekstra: Selected as Ambassador to Canada
The Trump transition team is utilizing Project 2025’s personnel database to identify potential candidates for various positions. The Heritage Foundation has launched a campaign to support and expedite the confirmation of Trump’s cabinet picks.
Trump and the Heritage Foundation are in agreement on immigration reform, border security and reducing the size and scope of federal agencies. However, less well-known is that many of his appointees also prioritize conservative approaches to education.
FLORIDA: HERITAGE’S LABORATORY
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has made public education, both K-12 and postsecondary, a proving ground for Heritage’s education policies…and likely for President Donald Trump’s administration.
- In 2023, he signed House Bill 1, creating universal school choice in Florida. He implemented policies aligned with Heritage’s stance on curriculum transparency and parental rights in education.
- The state has rejected critical race theory and implemented laws allowing parents to review classroom assignments before use. Parents can challenge any book in school libraries and classrooms.
And the Heritage Foundation rewarded DeSantis by ranking Florida #1 in Education Freedom for three consecutive years.
And there’s more. DeSantis has lowered teacher standards. Florida has new specialized teacher certification for classical schools. The state has also embraced alternative routes for teachers to enter K-12 classrooms.
Florida became the first state to require colleges and universities to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) for admissions, putting it on par with the SAT and ACT.
- Next up, Florida will take on another Heritage priority – creating its own accreditation system for its universities and colleges. Read UWF Trustee Adam Kissel’s “The Politicization of Higher Education Accreditation.”
After he was elected to his second term, DeSantis overhauled New College of Florida to implement a classical curriculum, aligning with Heritage’s emphasis on traditional liberal arts education.
NEXT UP: UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
The appointment of Heritage Foundation fellows Adam Kissel and Scott Yenor to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees is the next step and creates a larger laboratory for Heritage’s policies.
- DeSantis will likely duplicate it at a Division I university before his term ends in 2026.
The Trump White House and the Heritage Foundation will be watching and cheering.