The former head of Project 2025 did not resign in July as originally reported, but was fired for “derogatory and unprofessional” conduct in the workplace, a conservative think tank said on Friday. The man at the center of the controversy said he was being made a “scapegoat”.
Project 2025 is just the latest in the Heritage Foundation's long-standing effort to establish a conservative governance plan. However, constant attacks by Democrats focused on Project 2025 have led to intense scrutiny and frequent misreporting of the plan's details.
Still, according to Heritage magazine, Paul Dance's departure had little to do with the firestorm.
“Paul Dunnes was terminated from the Heritage Foundation due to a number of related issues, including his dismissive and unprofessional approach in his interactions with many of his colleagues,” Kelly Adams, Heritage's director of human resources, said on FOX. He told News Digital.
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Paul Dunnes, head of Project 2025, in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024, the third day of the 2024 Republican National Convention. (Dominic Gwynne)
“After several specific and embarrassing interactions were brought to the attention of senior management, an internal review was conducted and the decision was made to terminate Mr. Dans' employment in the most amicable manner possible.”
At the time, Dans was said to be stepping down as head of Project 2025.
However, Heritage soon reportedly received multiple communications from Dans accusing the think tank of firing him on false grounds.
“I was made a scapegoat by the Heritage Foundation to cover up their own mishandling of the public relations debacle surrounding Project 2025,” Dance told Real Clear Politics. . “The Heritage Foundation appears to continue to damage my good name and professional reputation for their own benefit.”
The Heritage Foundation defended its decision, saying Mr. Dance's conduct at work led to his termination.
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“The Heritage Foundation deeply values all of its employees and is committed in both practice and principle to maintaining a positive work environment where abusive or humiliating behavior is not welcome,” Adams said.
“We deeply regret that Mr. Dunnes has used the liberal media to attack Heritage's decision to terminate his employment, thereby making the basis for his termination public. “We will not condone this difficult decision to unfairly attack Heritage and its associates.” We will continue to protect our staff and facilities from former employees who harbored concerns. ”
New reports have surfaced detailing Mr. Dance's conduct leading up to his firing, particularly allegations regarding his conduct at the Republican National Convention in July, where Mr. Dance reportedly He said he was given a warning by Heritage chairman Kevin Roberts after criticizing the company's performance.
“He was very humiliated,” a source told Real Clear Politics. “It was constant and he refused to listen.”
After being fired, Dance reportedly requested $3.1 million from Heritage through his lawyer and requested that the money be received within two days, according to documents reviewed by RCP. Heritage denied the request.
Heritage Foundation building exterior (July 30, 2024, Washington, DC) (Andrew Harnik)
Shortly after his firing, Dunnes became a vocal critic of the Trump campaign, telling the New York Times in September that the former president should replace him with two senior advisers, Susie Wiles and Chris Lacivita. That's what he said. Dans claimed that their mismanagement prevented Trump from gaining momentum over Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.
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President Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in forming Project 2025, saying, “I don't agree with some of the things they're saying, and some of the things they're saying are just ridiculous and awful.” said.
