"Project 2025" became a veritable buzzword this week — recently eclipsing both Taylor Swift and the NFL in Google searches — and a former prosecutor has some suggestions for those who are asked what it is.
MSNBC legal analyst Joyce Vance, a former federal prosecutor and law professor at the University of Alabama, took to her newsletter Wednesday to prepare readers for how to handle Project 2025 talk at the water cooler as the Republican plan to upend the federal government becomes a hot talking point.
Vance said a friend, who is an undecided independent voter, had never heard of Project 2025 when it came up in conversation.
"I stopped myself just short of saying, 'what do you mean you haven’t heard about it?' took a deep breath, and thought, what is the most important thing I can say right now?"
In her newsletter, Vance offered others facing similar situations some wisdom. Tailor it to your audience. If talking to an immigrant, focus on immigration, for example.
" I explained that Project 2025 calls for deportations of people who are here without legal status," she said.
Read also: 'It will get bloody': Expert raises alarm over Project 2025 architect's election threat
If talking to a father, bring up its effect on his daughter.
"Project 2025, in the chapter on the Department of Health and Human Services, would end FDA approval for mifepristone and place greater restrictions on its use while it remains available, including only permitting its use until seven weeks, before most women know they are pregnant, and requiring it to be dispensed in person, which means women in rural areas with limited access to doctors would lose their ability to obtain the drug in the mail," she said.
And for many, a simple nudge to show that the plan is "bad for democracy" will suffice.
"Some people will be persuaded by the big picture: Project 2025 is bad for democracy because it’s a plan to centralize power in the hands of 'the next conservative” president, and that means ending the rule of law by, among other things, neutering DOJ’s independence," wrote Vance.
However it's done, she stressed it must be done, and everyone ought to come prepared.
"Suddenly, everyone seems to be asking about and talking about Project 2025. That’s great. Americans should be educated before they vote," wrote Vance. "When someone tells you who they are and what they intend to do, you should believe them!"
