But what exactly is Project 2025? And why are so many progressive leaders deeming it a “dystopian plot” that could have grave consequences for the majority of blue states in the United States like California?

While Trump was not directly involved in creating the policy proposals, over 20 members of his administration and allies, under the leadership of the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, contributed to the extensive 922-page document known as Project 2025, as reported by ABC News.

This has left many progressive politicians in the state in fear that a second Trump administration could potentially harm the principles and policies many of the Democrats in the state have fought to implement.

Progressive politicians have noted that Trump’s own campaign plan, Agenda47, aligns with various aspects of Project 2025, raising concerns about the potential impact of his policies.

The conservative policy proposals also aim to crack down on immigration and ramp up security at the border, which leaders in California argue will drastically affect the lives of millions of immigrants and hurt the economy.

The conservative think tank proposes enhancing the overall power of the president while dismantling what it referred to as the “administrative state,” and eroding the justice department’s independence.

“It’s a dystopian plot that’s already in motion to dismantle our democratic institutions, abolish checks and balances, chip away at church-state separation, and impose a far-right agenda that infringes on basic liberties and violates public will,” he said.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have warned the public that if Trump is reelected, the implementation of Project 2025 could have dire consequences for the nation. They suggest the conservative blueprint will end federal housing assistance and slash social welfare programs, amongst other things. 

At a rally in June, he said, “They are extreme, seriously extreme,” said Trump in a July 20 rally. “I don’t know anything about it. I don’t want to know anything about it.”

Other progressive leaders don’t believe that many of the policies laid out in Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership” will ever come to fruition.

“I don’t think they are capable of pulling off a lot of the things they want to pull off,” he said.

In response to the other policies proposed in Project 2025 that could affect California, Thornberg argues, “This state is good at finding ways around the policies. The size of the economy makes it easier to do that.”