Who are the 20–30 most influential named contributors to Project 2025 and what chapters did they write?
Executive summary
Project 2025’s 920‑page “Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise” names roughly 35 primary authors/editors across 30 chapters and credits hundreds more as contributors; multiple reviewers found that former Trump officials authored most chapters and that several named architects have since taken prominent administration roles [1] [2] [3]. The clearest, best‑documented list of the most influential named contributors includes a mix of chapter authors, editors and project leaders whose chapter assignments and roles are explicitly cited in reporting and the Mandate itself [1] [3] [4].
1. Project editors and architects who shaped the table of contents
Paul Dans and Steven Groves are listed as the editors of the Mandate for Leadership volume, responsible for compiling and structuring the 30 chapters that constitute Project 2025’s policy playbook [1]. Russell Vought is described across outlets as one of Project 2025’s top architects, credited with authoring the chapter on the Executive Office of the President and reportedly spearheading the project’s opening playbook for early administration days [1] [5] [4]. Spencer Chretien served as an associate project director and represents the personnel‑focused strand of Project 2025, tying the project’s staffing ambitions to its policy aims [6].
2. Cabinet‑level and agency authors tied to chapters
Several former or soon‑to‑be administration officials are explicitly credited with authoring chapters: Christopher Miller wrote the chapter on the Department of Defense [6] [3], Ben Carson authored the housing chapter [3], and Russell Vought authored the Executive Office chapter [3]. Brendan Carr wrote the chapter addressing the Federal Communications Commission and suggested reforms that he later pursued while nominated to chair the FCC [5] [7]. Peter Navarro authored the trade chapter (“The Case for Fair Trade”) and later served as a top trade adviser to the administration [4] [7].
3. Regulatory and enforcement chapter authors
Paul Atkins is credited as a contributor/author on the sections addressing financial regulatory agencies including ideas aimed at reshaping the SEC and related bodies [4]. Ken Cuccinelli — previously a deputy at DHS — and other former homeland officials are named among chapter authors covering immigration and homeland security topics, reflecting Project 2025’s reliance on former Trump administration personnel [3] [2]. Tom Homan appears as a listed contributor on immigration policy material and has been publicly identified with Project 2025’s border and enforcement agendas [5] [4].
4. Intelligence, foreign policy and executive office contributors
John Ratcliffe is cited as a contributor to the intelligence community chapter; the Mandate references interviews and prior service in making recommendations for intelligence leadership [4]. Michael Anton is listed as a contributor in the Executive Office chapter and later took a role in the administration’s foreign policy apparatus, illustrating how chapter authorship doubled as a personnel pipeline [4]. The Mandate’s foreword and afterword were written by senior Heritage figures, underscoring institutional authorship beyond named chapter writers [1].
5. What reporting documents, and where the record stops
Multiple trackers and reporting projects — including The New York Times’ roster, the Revolving Door Project’s analysis and FactCheck’s guide — show that about 25 of 30 chapters were authored fully or in part by former Trump officials and that the Mandate credits 35 primary authors and editors while acknowledging hundreds of additional contributors [1] [2] [3]. Available reporting identifies many of the most influential named contributors above, but a definitive 20–30 name list tied to specific chapter by chapter authorship requires consulting the Mandate’s author list or the Project 2025 contributors page and archived chapter pages for a full roster [1] [8].
6. Bottom line and caveats
The most influential named contributors documented in mainstream reporting include Russell Vought (Executive Office), Christopher Miller (Defense), Ben Carson (Housing), Peter Navarro (Trade), Brendan Carr (FCC), Paul Atkins (Financial regulatory agencies), Ken Cuccinelli (homeland security/immigration chapters), Tom Homan (immigration contributor), John Ratcliffe (intelligence contributor), Michael Anton (Executive Office), plus editors Paul Dans and Steven Groves — but the Mandate credits many more primary authors and hundreds of contributors, and researchers should consult the Mandate’s author pages or the consolidated Wikipedia listing for the complete roster [1] [3] [4]. Reporting organizations tracking implementation (Project 2025 Tracker, Revolving Door Project, Center for Progressive Reform) provide ongoing, chapter‑level attribution and tracking for those seeking the exhaustive chapter‑by‑chapter authorship list [9] [2] [10].