The Al Franken Podcast David A. Graham on What Project 2025 Wrought
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Dec 21, 2025 
David A. Graham, a journalist at The Atlantic and author of "The Project: How Project 2025 is Shaping America," dives into the shocking implications of Project 2025. He reveals how its architects viewed Trump’s first term as a failure, prompting a shadow administration plan. Topics include immigration overhaul, education privatization, and radical healthcare reforms. Graham emphasizes Russell Vought’s strategy to centralize power and demoralize government employees, warning of the long-term risks for democracy and federal governance.
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Rob Reiner: Friend, Director, Political Ally
- Al Franken recounts a 20-year-old Air America sketch with Rob Reiner and Meg Ryan that highlights Rob's support for Franken's politics.
- He uses the story to illustrate Rob Reiner's friendship and political activism.
Shadow Administration Built Before Victory
- Project 2025 built a 920-page shadow administration blueprint to execute an ideological agenda.
- The authors combined policy detail, a staffing database, and training to prepare for governing pre-election.
OMB Recast As Political Power Center
- Russell Vought and OMB repurposed administrative power into political control over personnel and departments.
- OMB now directs hiring, firing, and agency directives to enforce the administration's agenda.