The Heritage Foundation has confirmed that it parted ways with Paul Dans, the now-former director of Project 2025, citing allegations of professional misconduct.

The split, initially presented as amicable, has since turned acrimonious as both parties continue to air grievances, with Dans denying the accusations of wrongdoing and claiming that he is being scapegoated by the organization, as National Review reports

Dans was accused of demeaning and unprofessional behavior toward colleagues, particularly female staff members, leading to his dismissal following an internal investigation.

Heritage’s director of people operations, Kelly Adams, confirmed that Dans was terminated after a series of concerning interactions, particularly during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee. These interactions reportedly involved abrupt and verbally abusive conduct.

Escalating Issues at the Republican National Convention

Concerns over Dans’s behavior came to a head during the Republican National Convention, where multiple staffers reported feeling alarmed by his conduct. Several interactions were described as demeaning, with Dans allegedly berating colleagues. His outbursts became so severe that Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, had to intervene, warning Dans to rein in his behavior.

Following these incidents, an internal investigation was launched by Heritage. The review, led by senior management, concluded that Dans’s behavior violated the organization’s professional standards. Despite these findings, Dans has rejected the accusations, insisting that his dismissal was politically motivated and aimed at distracting from Heritage’s own issues with the public reception of Project 2025.

Allegations of Misconduct and Dans’s Rebuttal

Adams emphasized the reasons behind Dans's dismissal, noting that his interactions with colleagues were unprofessional and dismissive. She explained that the internal investigation confirmed the accusations, leading to the decision to terminate his employment. Adams stressed that the organization had sought to make the split as amicable as possible despite the difficult circumstances.

Dans, however, has repeatedly refuted these claims. In public statements, he accused the Heritage Foundation of using him as a scapegoat for the controversial Project 2025. He stated, “I was made a scapegoat by The Heritage Foundation to cover up for their own mishandling of the public relations fiasco over Project 2025.” He also denied any wrongdoing and accused the organization of trashing his reputation.

Controversy Surrounding Project 2025 and Internal Struggles

Project 2025, a policy initiative designed to influence the next Republican presidential administration, has been a source of controversy for the Heritage Foundation. Critics within and outside the organization have raised concerns about its approach and public messaging. Dans, who was closely involved with the project, has claimed that his firing was linked to the backlash against the initiative rather than his conduct.

Chris LaCivita, an advisor to Donald Trump’s campaign, reportedly described Project 2025 as a “pain in the ass,” underscoring the strain the initiative had caused within the political sphere. Despite these tensions, the project remains a key focus for Heritage as it looks toward influencing future policy.

Dans’s Response to Kevin Roberts’s Remarks

Dans has not only taken issue with the allegations of misconduct but also with comments made by Kevin Roberts, Heritage’s president. Roberts had publicly described the need for a “second American revolution” against left-wing ideologies, a statement that many interpreted as having violent undertones. Dans spoke out against these remarks, further straining his relationship with the organization.

In response to his criticism, Dans claimed that his dismissal was partly driven by his decision to speak out against Roberts’s rhetoric. “This attack is coming because I dared to speak out against Kevin Robert’s violent rhetoric,” Dans said in a statement. His public disapproval of Heritage’s leadership added another layer of complexity to the already tense situation.

Severance Negotiations and Legal Demands

After his termination, Heritage offered Dans a severance package in an effort to resolve the situation. However, according to sources within the organization, Dans’s legal team responded with a demand for a $3.1 million lump-sum payment. This demand was rejected by Heritage, which saw it as excessive.

The failed negotiations further soured the relationship between Dans and the organization, leading to more public statements from both sides. Dans has continued to criticize Heritage, accusing the organization of attempting to deflect attention from its own internal struggles by focusing on his dismissal.

Heritage’s Response to Dans’s Public Statements

Heritage has taken a firm stance in defending its decision to terminate Dans. Kelly Adams, in a statement, expressed disappointment that Dans has chosen to publicly attack the organization. “We are deeply disappointed that Mr. Dans is using the liberal media to attack Heritage’s decision to terminate him,” Adams said, adding that the organization would continue to defend its staff and reputation against what she called false narratives.

Despite the public nature of the conflict, Heritage maintains that its decision to part ways with Dans was based solely on his professional conduct. The organization has reiterated that the termination was not politically motivated, as Dans has suggested, but rather the result of a thorough internal review.

Project 2025’s Future and Impact on Trump Campaign

The controversy surrounding Project 2025 has not only affected Heritage but has also drawn attention from figures within the Trump campaign. Dans has publicly criticized campaign advisors Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, blaming them for what he views as strategic missteps. In response, LaCivita has expressed relief at the troubles facing Project 2025, hinting at its negative impact on the campaign.

Despite these challenges, Project 2025 remains a focal point for Heritage’s future plans. Sen. J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, has written the foreword for Kevin Roberts’s upcoming book, though the publication has been delayed due to the ongoing controversy.

Conclusion

The split between the Heritage Foundation and Paul Dans continues to grow more contentious, with both sides publicly defending their actions. While Heritage insists that Dans was dismissed due to unprofessional behavior, Dans maintains that he was scapegoated for the failures of Project 2025.

The public feud has brought attention to the internal struggles at Heritage and the broader impact of Project 2025 on the conservative movement.