Objective 13.1 | Project 2025 Tracker

Project2025 Tracker

Category 13: Overhauling Public Health and Science Agencies

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Objective 13.1 : Defund CDC and NIH

What It Means

Slash public health agency budgets

Our Analysis: To politicize scientific agencies and data, silencing scientists and researchers who contradict administration talking points.

Source References

Pages: pp. 167–171
Chapters: CDC, HHS, Public Health Strategy
Quotes: “The CDC should return to its original mission and stop issuing binding regulations.”

Methodology

Project 2025 proposes restructuring the CDC to eliminate its ability to set or enforce public health mandates. This objective removes CDC authority over school closures, mask requirements, and workplace safety measures.

Tracking Notes

We are monitoring for actions that align with this intent, based on how this objective was derived: Project 2025 proposes restructuring the CDC to eliminate its ability to set or enforce public health mandates. This objective removes CDC authority over school closures, m'sk requirements, and workplace safety me'sures.

April 4, 2025 at 6:24 pm: Status change: On March 12, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a reorganization that reduces the CDC's authority over pandemic response and places certain public health functions under direct HHS oversight. This action limits the CDC's role in setting public health mandates, which aligns with Project 2025 objectives to restructure and curtail the agency's power.

Status: In Progress

Last Updated: April 3, 2025

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Objective 13.2 : Discredit Public Health Data

What It Means

Undermine trust in medical expertise

Our Analysis: To slash funding for public health, environmental science, and medical research to weaken government capacity for long-term planning and response.

Source References

Pages: pp. 172–174
Chapters: NIH, Research Oversight
Quotes: “Federal research should reflect American values, not political correctness.”

Methodology

Project 2025 aims to control NIH research priorities by eliminating funding for studies involving gender, climate, racial equity, or reproductive health — labeling them as “ideological science.”

Tracking Notes

We are monitoring for actions that align with this intent, based on how this objective was derived: Project 2025 aims to control NIH research priorities by eliminating funding for studies involving gender, climate, racial equity, or reproductive health a labeling them 's aideological science.a

April 4, 2025 at 6:24 pm: Status change: In March 2025, the Trump administration directed the Department of Health and Human Services to revise scientific research funding guidelines to exclude studies focused on reproductive health, climate impacts on health, and gender-based disparities. The directive describes these themes as 'ideologically driven.' This aligns with Project 2025's goal of discrediting public health data that does not support conservative policy aims.

Status: In Progress

Last Updated: April 3, 2025

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Objective 13.3 : Roll Back Vaccine Mandates

What It Means

End vaccine rules and promotion

Our Analysis: To dismantle or absorb independent health authorities like the CDC and NIH into politically controlled executive offices.

Source References

Pages: pp. 169–172
Chapters: HHS, Emergency Preparedness, Executive Orders
Quotes: “The President must lead pandemic response to avoid future bureaucratic overreach.”

Methodology

Project 2025 proposes removing autonomy from public health agencies during emergencies and placing direct control of crisis response under the White House. This includes appointment of a pandemic czar and authority to override CDC/HHS recommendations.

Tracking Notes

We are monitoring for actions that align with this intent, based on how this objective was derived: Project 2025 proposes removing autonomy from public health agencies during emergencies and placing direct control of crisis response under the White House. This includes appointment of a pandemic czar and authority to override CDC/HHS recommendations.

April 4, 2025 at 6:24 pm: Status change: On March 12, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a restructuring of the federal pandemic response hierarchy, shifting ultimate authority from the CDC and HHS to a newly created Office of Pandemic Preparedness housed within the White House. This office is led by a presidential appointee and can override public health agency guidance. The change weakens public health agencies'' autonomy and centralizes control under the Executive Branch, aligning with Project 2025 objectives to roll back mandates and reassert presidential authority during public health emergencies.

Status: In Progress

Last Updated: April 3, 2025

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