The former director of Project 2025 did not step down in July, as was initially reported, but was fired due to “dismissive and unprofessional” workplace behavior, the conservative think tank revealed Friday. The man at the center of the controversy says he’s being made a “scapegoat.”
Project 2025 is only the latest iteration of a longstanding Heritage Foundation initiative to establish a conservative governing blueprint. But incessant attacks by Democrats focusing on Project 2025 have led to intense scrutiny and frequent misrepresentations of the plan’s details.
Still, Paul Dans’ departure from the institution had little to do with that firestorm, according to Heritage.
“Paul Dans was terminated from the Heritage Foundation due to a number of related issues, including his dismissive and unprofessional approach to interacting with a number of his colleagues,” Kelly Adams, director of people operations at Heritage, told Fox News Digital.
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Project 2025 lead Paul Dans in Milwaukee on the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention July 17, 2024. (Dominic Gwinn)
“After some specific disconcerting interactions were brought to the attention of senior management, an internal review was conducted, and a decision was made to separate Mr. Dans’ employment as amicably as possible.”
At the time, Dans was said to be stepping down as the Project 2025 head.
But Heritage soon reportedly received multiple communications from Dans that accused the think tank of terminating him on false grounds.
“I was made a scapegoat by The Heritage Foundation to cover up for their own mishandling of the public relations fiasco over Project 2025,” Dans told Real Clear Politics. “It appears that the Heritage Foundation continues to trash my good name and professional reputation for their benefit.”
The Heritage Foundation defended its decision and said it was Dans’ workplace behavior that led to his firing.
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“The Heritage Foundation deeply values all of our staff and is committed in both practice and principle to maintaining a positive work environment where abusive or demeaning behavior is not welcome,” Adams said.
“We are deeply disappointed that Mr. Dans is using the liberal media to attack Heritage’s decision to terminate him, thereby making the rationale behind his dismissal public. We will not allow him to falsely attack Heritage and its people, without defending the difficult decision to terminate Paul’s employment based on facts. We will continue to defend our staff and our institution from false narratives and disgruntled former employees.”
New reports have surfaced detailing Dans’ behavior leading up to the termination, specifically allegations about his conduct at the Republican National Convention in July, when he reportedly cursed at colleagues while critiquing their performance and was issued a warning by Heritage President Kevin Roberts.
“He was being so demeaning,” a source told Real Clear Politics. “It was constant, and he refused to listen.”
After he was fired, Dans, through his legal counsel, reportedly sought $3.1 million from Heritage and wanted the funds delivered in two days, according to documents reviewed by RCP. Heritage rejected the request.
An exterior view of The Heritage Foundation building July 30, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik)
Soon after he was fired, Dans became a vocal critic of the Trump campaign, telling The New York Times in September the former president should replace two of his senior advisers, Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita. Dans claimed their mismanagement had prevented Trump from surging ahead of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.
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Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in Project 2025’s formation, saying, “I disagree with some of the things they’re saying, and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal.”