When the Heritage Foundation dropped Project 2025, it made headlines for its bold vision of reshaping the federal government to reflect far-right ideals—shrinking agencies, slashing civil rights protections, and putting loyalists in power. But that was just the warm-up.
It was a sweeping roadmap to reshape the federal government with conservative ideology baked in. According to a community‑driven tracker, out of 317 objectives, 116 are marked “Done”, and 63 are “In Progress”—that’s not theoretical footnotes; it’s real change underway across agencies like the White House and State Department.
Now comes Project Esther, launched in late 2024 as a supposed strategy to fight antisemitism in America. But critics say it’s not about protecting Jewish people—it’s about crushing dissent, especially pro-Palestinian activism, under the guise of national security.
Same Strategy, Different Battlefield
Project 2025 focused on federal overhauls. Project Esther brings that same conservative agenda to college campuses, nonprofits, and activist networks. The blueprint calls for a crackdown on what the Heritage Foundation calls the “Hamas Support Network”—basically any group critical of Israel, especially on college grounds.
This includes denying protest permits, firing faculty, cutting funding to student groups, and even deporting foreign students who participate in demonstrations. The plan doesn’t stop at schools—it encourages using anti-terror laws, immigration rules, and surveillance to shut down political dissent.
It’s already happening. Trump’s second administration has acted on over half of Project Esther’s 47 policy proposals, including visa cancellations and stepped-up law enforcement presence at protests.
How Black Communities and Women Are Impacted
Though not named outright, Black activists and women are caught in the crosshairs. Project Esther targets coalitions that stand in solidarity with Palestinian causes—many of which are led or heavily supported by Black student unions, feminist organizations, and civil rights leaders.
Dr. Angela Davis—a symbol of Black liberation and a long-time supporter of Palestinian rights—was even called out in materials tied to this initiative. The message is clear: Speak up, and you could be branded part of a terror network.
Programs serving underrepresented groups are also vulnerable. Universities like Columbia and Princeton have already faced funding cuts due to perceived noncompliance with these new guidelines. That puts Black faculty, women professors, and students in marginalized departments—like Middle Eastern or African studies—at risk of losing financial and academic support.
And it’s not just the money. With new protest restrictions and campus police getting more power, activism itself becomes dangerous for women and students of color.
Antisemitism—or Authoritarianism?
Let’s be clear: fighting antisemitism is vital. But Project Esther redefines the term to target one side of the political aisle while ignoring real threats from white nationalists and neo-Nazis—the actual source of deadly antisemitic attacks in the U.S. over the last decade.
In doing so, the project weaponizes antisemitism, turning it into a political tool to suppress left-leaning movements, especially those led by minorities. It sets a dangerous precedent: Today it’s Palestinian solidarity that’s criminalized. Tomorrow, it could be labor unions, environmental groups, or NAACP.
A Bigger Plan
Project Esther doesn’t stand alone. It’s a larger authoritarian push tied to Project 2025. Together, they create a roadmap not just to reshape institutions, but to silence those who challenge the power structure.
With women and Black Americans already fighting to be heard, this new playbook makes it even harder. And with implementation already underway, it’s not just theory anymore, it’s the new reality.
