America First Policy Institute (AFPI)

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI)

Background

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is a nonprofit group (501(c)(3)¹) founded in 2021 by two senior advisors to Donald Trump to promote Donald Trump‘s ongoing policy agenda following his departure from office.²The AFPI argues for expanded fossil fuel production by “removing undue regulatory constraints”³ and criticizes the Paris Agreement, describing it as “lopsided” and “unenforceable.”⁴

It counts among its staff individuals who have expressed doubt about the causes and severity of climate change, including Heritage Foundation senior visiting fellow Stephen Moore,⁵ who once described global warming as “one of the greatest propaganda campaigns in world history,”⁶ among others.⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹ ¹² ¹³ ¹⁴

White House domestic policy adviser Brooke Rollins and National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow initially developed AFPI.¹⁵ Rollins and Kudlow had worked together in early 2020 to create a second-term policy agenda for the Trump administration. When Trump lost the election, they continued to work together to develop the AFPI.¹⁶ According to the New York Times, they approached Timothy Dunn, an American billionaire and CEO of an oil and gas company, who Rollins had worked with at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Dunn and two other Texas Public Policy Foundation directors, Cody Campbell and Tim Lyles, subsequently registered the AFPI in April 2021.¹⁷ Kudlow consulted Donald Trump in the development phase for the AFPI and described him as “very enthusiastic” about the concept.¹⁸

After the AFPI’s launch in April 2021, Rollins became the president and CEO, Kudlow vice chair,¹⁹ and Tim Dunn, a board member.²⁰ Linda McMahon, a member of Trump’s Cabinet as the administrator of the Small Business Administration, joined as chair, along with various other individuals affiliated with Trump.²¹

The AFPI has an “advocacy arm,” America First Works.“²² America First Works is a 501(c)(4) organization, which means that it can engage in some partisan politics.²³ The AFPI itself, by contrast, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which by law should be nonpartisan.²⁴ The AFPI also has an affiliation with America First Action, a super PAC dedicated to supporting federal candidates who back the policy agenda of Donald Trump.²⁵ ²⁶

2025 Transition Plans

The AFPI has been preparing for a transition to a new Trump administration since June 2022 through its “America First Transition Project.” The America First Transition Project includes developing policy, creating detailed action plans “to gain full operational, management, policy, and financial control of every department and agency,” identifying critical personnel positions that need to be filled, and producing training materials for future staff.²⁷

The AFPI’s chair, Linda McMahon, was selected by Trump in August 2024 to co-lead the official transition team. Later that month, Politico reported that they had been informed by an anonymous source “familiar with the Trump campaign’s transition prep” that while the AFPI was not going to be an official member of the 2025 transition, “by virtue of how they are situated and that we are in a very late timeline for this work, the AFPI and the transition may be a distinction without a difference.”

Source: Facebook.²⁸

The AFPI’s “America First Agenda” has ten “pillars,” which are:²⁹

Pillar I: Make the greatest economy in the world work for all Americans.
Pillar II: Put patients and doctors back in charge of healthcare.
Pillar III: Restore America’s historic commitment to freedom, equality, and self-governance.
Pillar IV: Give parents more control over the education of their children.
Pillar V: Secure the border, end human trafficking, and defeat the drug cartels.
Pillar VI: Deliver peace through strength and American leadership.
Pillar VII: Make America energy independent.
Pillar VIII: Make it easy to vote and hard to cheat.
Pillar IX: Provide safe and secure communities so all Americans can live their lives in peace.
Pillar X: Fight government corruption by draining the swamp.

The AFPI describes the detailed agenda for each pillar in 55 chapters.³⁰

Stance on Climate Change

December 7, 2022

The AFPI wrote in its document “Pillar VII: Make America energy independent: Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans”:³¹

“The central goal of U.S. environmental policy should be to empower human flourishing, all while protecting our land, water, and air and allowing Americans to make the best use of our Nation’s vast natural resources.”

[…]

“The American people deserve a human-centered approach that delivers results, not more apocalyptic rhetoric that prioritizes lofty ambitions over real progress.”

Discussing actions made during the Biden-Harris administration, the AFPI wrote:³²

“Rather than produce real environmental results, the current misguided approach uses a myopic focus on climate change as a justification for its sweeping radical agenda and massive government expansion.”

The AFPI says that there is “apocalyptic rhetoric” around environmental issues and that climate change the Biden-Harris administration used as “justification for its sweeping, radical agenda and massive government expansion.”

In a chapter under Pillar VII, titled “Lower The Price of Gas and Energy By Increasing Production of America’s Energy Supplies,” the AFPI wrote:³³

“The policies of climate activists only exacerbate the difficulties of providing affordable and reliable energy. The burdensome regulatory policies pushed by ‘build-nothing’ environmentalists mean additional costs for providers of the most affordable and reliable sources of power. These additional costs for providers expose Americans to a greater risk of rolling brownouts and blackouts.”

June 13, 2022

The AFPI wrote the following in its critique of a budget released by the Biden Administration, titled “Missed Opportunity to put America First”:³⁴

“The Biden Administration seeks to replace fossil fuels with green energy. This would cause a significant number of jobs to be eliminated. To compensate, the Biden Administration would use taxpayer funds to create ‘green’ jobs for those who lost theirs due to the Biden Administration’s anti-traditional energy policies. Instead of attempting to end fossil fuels, the United States should have a policy that embraces all energy sources and rewards American energy innovation.”

The AFPI commented on the cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline in a document under “Pillar VII” titled “Create a Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment”³⁵

“Unfortunately, the Left is rolling back critical reforms and overregulating our domestic energy industry,” the AFPI wrote in the document, adding:

“The current administration’s policies seek to allow government intervention to determine the success of only certain companies, industries, and projects at the expense of others. This approach does not consider the implications for consumer costs, grid resiliency, or energy security. The cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline and the threatening of the Dakota Access Pipeline are just two examples of recent actions that have been taken.”

The AFPI added:³⁶

“The administration’s flawed goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050 is set to fail because of its own approach to implementation.”

In another document under Pillar VII, titled “Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans,” the AFPI criticized actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration:³⁷

“This harmful policy approach includes rejoining the Paris Agreement and reversing modernized regulatory reforms that were undertaken to address decades of accumulated red tape,” the AFPI wrote. Describing the prior Trump Administration, they claimed:

“As the pro-growth policies of the previous administration drove incredible economic growth, the U.S. improved on environmental measures by providing cleaner air, water, and land, and led the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the country became a net energy exporter for the first time in nearly 70 years and rejected lopsided, unenforceable, America- last international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.”

March 15, 2022

The following is from an AFPI document titled “The Need to Refocus International Efforts on Traditional Air Pollutants”:³⁸

“The ongoing energy and security crises—that have prompted even Germany to take a critical look at its own climate strategy—serve as a painfully obvious reminder of the danger of an excessive emphasis on climate issues and failure to address other threats. However, the damage that the myopic focus on climate change has done even within the environmental sphere is often overlooked, diverting attention and resources from critical avenues for real progress.”

Stance on Energy

One of the AFPI’s ten pillars of its America First Agenda is American energy independence.³⁹ The agenda promotes parity amongst all energy sources or for the U.S. to “unapologetically” expand fossil fuels, ⁴⁰ stating that fossil fuels are “projected to remain a dominant player through 2050.”⁴¹ ⁴² (Scientists are clear that there will need to be a ‘radical’ phase-down of fossil fuels to meet climate goals⁴³). The AFPI argues for less regulation of the energy sector⁴⁴ and to “end woke climate activism by federal agencies.”⁴⁵

The AFPI’s America First Agenda opposes “renewable-only energy strategies” and the canceling of overseas fossil fuel projects, saying that this will lead to U.S. energy dependence and “would empower China and other foreign adversaries.” It also says this would fail to tackle global energy poverty, calling it “climate colonialism.” It claims that such an approach would lead to stagnated economic growth for the U.S.⁴⁶
The America First Agenda suggests that the U.S. can expand fossil fuels and meet environmental goals. For example, Chapter 32 of the America First Agenda says, “In 2019, the U.S. became a net energy exporter, while also leading the world in CO2 emissions reductions the same year.”⁴⁷(According to a fact check by PolitiFact, this is correct in metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions cut, but this is in the context of the U.S. having very high emissions from which to cut. In terms of percentage improvement, other countries showed more significant progress in 2019.⁴⁸)

Energy policies that the AFPI suggests as part of its America First Agenda include:

“Encourage greater offshore and onshore oil and gas production.”⁴⁹
Allow or expand fossil fuel extraction in Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.⁵⁰
“Promote an expedited rehabilitation of decommissioned power plants to enable the use of existing infrastructure for new power generation capacity, ensuring continued economic opportunity and energy reliability.”⁵¹
“Streamline LNG export authorizations by establishing a 30-day review process by the Department of Energy.”⁵²
“Mitigate or remove the Department of State’s oversight of transnational oil pipeline infrastructure.”⁵³
“Eliminate barriers to financing overseas fossil fuel projects that create market opportunities for U.S. industry and drive parity in bilateral trade relations.”⁵⁴
“Halt all new discretionary regulatory policy activity and actions that would disproportionately target one sector at the expense of another.”⁵⁵
“Establish content requirements of at least 75% for renewable projects, both at home and abroad, as a requirement for receiving federal financial support, guarantees, or contracts.” (Meaning producing or sourcing domestically at least 75% of the components, materials, or inputs used in renewable energy projects).⁵⁶
“Prioritize meaningful and enforceable environmental agreements by using USMCA, not the Paris Agreement, as a model.”⁵⁷ (The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a trade agreement that governs trade between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. In 2019, ten environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club and Greenpeace, wrote a letter opposing USMCA).⁵⁸
“Conduct a comprehensive audit of U.S. associations and memberships within international energy and environmental organizations and right-size engagement toward those that advance American interests.”⁵⁹

Source: Facebook.⁶⁰

May 2024

The AFPI included the following on its Facebook page:⁶¹

The text reads:

“MYTH:
U.S. natural gas is not clean.
FACT:
The U.S. is the world’s cleanest natural gas.”

December 7, 2022

The AFPI wrote a chapter under its Pillar VII titled “Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” which included the following statement:⁶²

“Thanks to the shale revolution, the removal of the crude oil export ban, and the previous administration’s pro-liquefied natural gas (LNG) export policies, the U.S. has become a major player in international energy markets. Our Nation’s successes included becoming a net oil exporter in 2019 and becoming the world’s largest LNG exporter shortly thereafter.”

Funding

In November 2021, Donald Trump hosted a fundraiser for the AFPI at Mar-a-Lago, and his PAC, Save America, had donated $1 million to the AFPI by August 2022.

The AFPI has also received donations from DonorsTrust. This right-wing organization anonymizes contributions and has given grants to groups and projects that are among the most active in questioning the link between fossil fuel emissions and climate change and in attempting to block green legislation.

See the table below for full details of donors or see the attached spreadsheet for additional information on America First Policy Institute funding by year (.xlsx).

AFPI 990 Forms

America First Works 990 Forms

Key People

The following list is from publicly available tax documents combined with the AFPI’s website via the Internet Archive.

For more information, see a spreadsheet of the America First Policy Institute’s key people year over year (xlsx).

Leadership

Linda McMahon. AFPI chair and America First Works board member.⁶³ McMahon is co-leading Donald Trump’s transition team⁶⁴ and is his nominee for secretary of education.⁶⁵ She is the former Small Business Administration (SBA) administrator under Trump.⁶⁶ McMahon co-founded the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). A lawsuit filed in 2024 alleges that she knowingly enabled the sexual exploitation of children by a WWE employee, charges which she denies.⁶⁷

Larry Kudlow is an AFPI co-founder and vice-chair. He is President Donald Trump’s former Director of the National Economic Council under President Donald Trump.⁶⁸

Brooke Rollins is an AFPI co-founder, president, and CEO of the AFPI⁶⁹ and a board member of America First Works.⁷⁰ She has held political roles under Donald Trump⁷¹ and, as of November 2024, has been nominated as Trump’s agriculture secretary.⁷² She is the former president and CEO⁷³ of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), a conservative think tank that has pushed against climate policy in Texas and which has taken donations from major polluters,⁷⁴ and Rollins remains a board member and advisor to the group.⁷⁵ Her husband is an energy industry executive, and she has previously referred to “the alarmism and hysteria of the climate change cult.”⁷⁶

Ashley Hayek. AFPI Chief Engagement Officer⁷⁷ and executive director of America First Works.⁷⁸ She was National Coalitions Director for the Trump-Pence 2020 presidential campaign.⁷⁹ Of climate change, she says perhaps “the threat isn’t so dire after all” and questions whether the actions of the Biden administration suggest that “human-caused ‘climate change’ might be a ruse, one that certainly sounds scary but may be more about increasing their power than improving the world we live in.”⁸⁰

Actions

November 24, 2024

Brooke Rollins, AFPI co-founder and president and CEO of the AFPI, was nominated by Donald Trump to be secretary for agriculture.¹⁰⁷ Her appointment has been met with enthusiasm from the meat industry, with The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) believing that Rollins could assist the beef industry by reducing regulations.¹⁰⁸

November 20, 2024

Donald Trump named Linda McMahon as his pick for Education secretary.¹⁰⁹

Source: Facebook.¹¹⁰

November 11, 2024

Donald Trump picked Lee Zeldin, the chair of the AFPI’s transition project,¹¹¹ as the nomination to lead the EPA. Trump said that Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Zeldin has said that he “will restore US energy dominance” and “revitalize our auto industry.”¹¹²

October 2024

The AFPI co-sponsored a series of swing-state rallies called the Courage Tour,¹¹³ described by investigative journalism non-profit ProPublica as “a far-right Christian revival tour.” Lance Wallnau, a pro-Trump Christian influencer, has said that climate activists are controlled by “demons,”¹¹⁴ hosted the tour.¹¹⁵ The Courage Tour has also partnered for an event with JD Vance, who has expressed doubt on the human-made nature of climate change.¹¹⁶

August 21, 2024

The AFPI published a “factsheet” called “The Costs of Banning Fracking,” which says that “banning fracking would increase the human impact on the environment.”¹¹⁷

August 2024

Linda McMahon, the AFPI chair, was selected to co-lead the official transition team for the Republicans.¹¹⁸

May 24, 2024

The AFPI published an op-ed, “California Has Sacrificed its Energy Stability on the Altar of Green Energy ideology.” This article says Californian politicians “cling stubbornly to their allegiance to costly and unreliable green energy mandates, turning a stubborn blind eye to proven and more affordable alternatives, such as nuclear energy and natural gas.”¹¹⁹

April 2, 2024

The AFPI published a “factsheet” named “The $1.347 Trillion Green New Steal,” which refers to ‘build back better’ energy policies as “build-back-never energy policies” and says that U.S. green energy policy is “crippling the health and prosperity of the American economy.”¹²⁰

January 16, 2024

Carla Sands, Vice Chair of the AFPI’s Center for Energy and the Environment, published an op-ed in The Washington Times, “SEC shows dangerous commitment to ESG agenda.”¹²¹ In this article, Sands opposes Natural Asset Companies (NACs), an initiative that would list on the New York Stock Exchange companies aiming to improve ecosystems and that would monetize the resulting ecosystem benefits.¹²² Sands says the initiative “weaponizes the financial sector in pursuit of leftist political aims” and seeks “to advance a radical climate agenda.”¹²³

August 22, 2023

The AFPI’s “Messaging and Data Lab” produced a memo, “The War on American Energy.” This memo described the Biden administration’s energy policy as a “radical climate agenda.” It said that it had caused “soaring energy costs, a teetering electricity grid, and the loss of American energy independence at the hands of foreign dictators.”¹²⁴

The memo implies that renewable energy is unproven:¹²⁵

“Fossil fuels are the most reliable and affordable source of energy in America today. They power almost every aspect of the country’s transportation system and generate the majority of our electricity. Rather than doubling down on policies with a proven track record, the Biden Administration is forcing a transition to unreliable and weather-dependent sources of energy.”

It argues for re-opening federal lands and waters for energy development and increasing the amount of oil stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the U.S.’s emergency stockpile of petroleum.¹²⁶

The memo says that climate change has the “guise of an emergency” and expresses doubts over the reliability of climate scientists, “Radical climate activists say we need aggressive climate action now. But for decades, bureaucrats, scientists, and elites have predicted doom and destruction would occur on certain dates, only to have the dates come and go. Their predictions for the environment have always been wrong.”¹²⁷

The memo contains a “Mythbusters” section. Examples include:¹²⁸

“MYTH: Climate change is THE existential threat.

FACT: Even though the Paris Climate Accords’ most ambitious goal seeks to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the UN’s top climate scientist recently admitted that ‘The world won’t end if it warms by more than 1.5 degrees.’”

“MYTH: Wind and solar energy can power our country.

FACT: This isn’t even close to true. The wind doesn’t always blow, and the sun doesn’t always shine. Only 10.2% of our energy comes from wind, and only 3.4% comes from solar.”

“MYTH: The Biden Administration’s push to encourage more use of electric vehicles will make us less dependent on fossil fuels.

FACT: Where do you think the electricity to charge those EV’s comes from? Almost 60% of America’s electricity is produced by power plants fueled by natural gas and coal. Media bias is real.”

2023

Carla Sands and Tim Dunn spoke on an AFPI-sponsored panel, “Fighting Climate Extremism & Keeping the Lights On.”¹²⁹ During this event, Dunn stated that he hoped a Trump presidency could use executive orders “to curb all this silliness about CO2 emissions.”¹³⁰

2023

The AFPI published a review of the Biden administration’s 2023 budget. This review opposes increased taxes on the fossil fuel industry and domestic and international spending on climate change. It says that the budget’s provision of 10 million USD to support small businesses to be more resilient to climate change is a waste of money and that “small business owners do not need to be pawns for the climate agenda.” It argues that the transition to renewable energies “would cause a significant number of jobs to be eliminated” and instead argues for parity amongst energy sources.¹³¹

December 2022

America First Works expressed support for a piece of model legislation produced by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) that would empower state governments to blocklist corporations that advocate for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.¹³² ALEC is an organization designed to link state legislators with corporations and create templates for state legislation that has worked with companies such as Koch Industries, ExxonMobil, and Peabody Energy.¹³³

July 26, 2022

Donald Trump delivered the keynote address for the AFPI’s America First Agenda Summit during his first visit to Washington after leaving office.¹³⁴ Within this speech, he said, “We need to rapidly maximize domestic oil and gas production to restore energy independence and bring the price of gasoline back down to a number that nobody even believes anymore.”¹³⁵

July 2022

The AFPI held a “Make America Energy Independent Roundtable,” hosted by the former chair of the AFPI’s Center for Energy & Environment, Rick Perry.¹³⁶ ¹³⁷ During this roundtable, Perry said, “We don’t need to apologise to anybody for being for fossil fuels” and claimed that the U.S. is the cleanest producer of fossil fuels¹³⁸ (a 2023 report from the International Energy Agency found that Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar had the lowest emissions intensity).¹³⁹

Perry also referred to “the altar of the religion of environmentalism” and said, “If you are an individual who stands up and says we need to be net zero by 2050, you need to go ahead and stand up and say, oh by the way, if you’re one of those billions of people around the world that don’t have access to energy today, you’re just going to die. Because that’s basically what it means.”¹⁴⁰

October 29, 2021

The AFPI, in collaboration with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, released a paper opposing the Build Back Better bill, which it says “is about forcing big-government socialism on the American people using climate change as a cover.”¹⁴¹

The paper also criticized the Civilian Climate Corps, saying that it would “serve as a slush fund for progressive groups, with unelected bureaucrats empowered to send taxpayer dollars to political organizations and prioritize racially oriented decision-making.”¹⁴²

The AFPI has twenty “centers” to focus on different action areas, for example, the Center for Energy and Environment, the Center for Litigation, the Center for Media Accountability,¹⁴³ and the Center for American Freedom.¹⁴⁴These centers include a “Messaging and Data Lab” that aims “to empower conservatives with the tools needed to win the argument against the Far-Left ideology—once and for all.” It produces memos offering advice on framing issues, including top lines and counterarguments to common rebuttals.¹⁴⁵

As of November 2024, the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania each have Chapters with their policy priorities.¹⁴⁶ For example, a policy priority for Pennsylvania is to “oppose tax and regulatory proposals that favor some energy sources over others, encourage infrastructure projects that expand production, and push back against harmful ESG policies.”¹⁴⁷

The AFPI also has various initiatives. These include the America First Transition Project, along with initiatives such as “Weaponization of Government” (which focuses on justice and national security reform¹⁴⁸), a “Higher Education Reform Initiative,” and “Women’s Agenda.”¹⁴⁹

America First Works

America First Works (also known as America First Works, Inc.¹⁵⁰) is a nonprofit organization that is “the advocacy arm of AFPI.”¹⁵¹ America First Works launched after the 2016 election as America First Policies. It was renamed America First Works in November 2021 after Trump’s election loss, when it began working closely with the AFPI.¹⁵² Brooke Rollins is now the CEO of both organizations. ¹⁵³ ¹⁵⁴

America First Works is a 501(c)(4) organization,¹⁵⁵ which means that it can accept unlimited donations from corporations and individuals, which it need not disclose.¹⁵⁶

America First Works is known to have accepted 1 million USD from Southern Company, a utility company that has opposed green energy policy after its founding.¹⁵⁷ It has given millions of dollars to groups allied with Trump’s agenda, including in 2020 nearly $4.8 million to the right-wing dark money group DonorsTrust.¹⁵⁸

One of the various causes supported by America First Works is opposition to ESG policies, which it calls “energy discriminators.”¹⁵⁹ For example, America First Works is part of a right-wing coalition that promotes the Heritage Foundation’s proposal for legislation that would ban consideration of ESG factors managing public pensions.¹⁶⁰

America First Action

America First Action is a super PAC supporting federal candidates backing Donald Trump’s policy agenda.¹⁶¹ ¹⁶²
Founded in April 2017, America First Action is affiliated with America First Policies, now known as America First Works, which has become the advocacy arm of the AFPI (see above).¹⁶³

A super PAC is a political committee that can accept unlimited contributions from individuals and organizations and spend unlimited sums of money to support a candidate (distinct from a PAC, which has caps on the amounts it can give and receive). Laws prohibit a super PAC from donating directly to a politician or political party; however, it can independently spend funds to support or oppose political candidates.¹⁶⁴ ¹⁶⁵

In the 2020 election cycle, America First Action raised and spent around 150,000,000 USD, but subsequently, this has tailed off, with 1,186,932 USD spent in the 2024 election cycle and only 36 USD raised.¹⁶⁶

Texas Public Policy Foundation

The AFPI has collaborated with the TPPF,¹⁶⁷ ¹⁶⁸ and the two organizations have staff in common.¹⁶⁹ ¹⁷⁰ ¹⁷¹ ¹⁷²

Ziklag

Ziklag, a conservative Christian charity, paid for a series of swing-state rallies called the Courage Tour, which was co-sponsored by the AFPI.¹⁷³

Contact & Address

America First Policy Institute
1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 530
Washington, D.C. 20004¹⁷⁴

Hilton [email protected]¹⁷⁵

Facebook: America First Policy Institute
Instagram: a1policy
X: @A1Policy
YouTube: America First Policy Institute
Rumble: America First Policy Institute

Other Resources

“America First Policy Institute,” LittleSis.
“America First Policy Institute,” SourceWatch.
“America First Policy Institute,” Wikipedia.

Resources

1
Hailey Fuchs and Meridith McGraw. “Meet the think tank planning a second Trump administration. (It’s not Project 2025.),” Politico, August 29, 2024. Archived August 30, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
2
Alex Isenstadt. “Senior Trump advisers prepare to launch policy group,” Politico, December 22, 2020. Archived December 16, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
3
Become Energy Independent to End America’s Reliance on Foreign Sources of Oil and Gas,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
4
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans (PDF),” AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
5
“Stephen Moore,” Heritage Foundation. Archived December 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iEETg
6
Michael W. Chapman. “Stephen Moore: Climate Change ‘One of Greatest Propaganda Campaigns in World History’–’Very Stalinistic’,” cnsnews.com, June 9, 2016. Archived November 15, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.is/DdOe
7
“Ashley Hayek,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YZPlT
8
Ashley Hayek. “If Climate Change Is Real, Why Don’t the Elites Act Like It?,” Townhall, October 5, 2023. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/blwdu
9
“Steve Moore,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/OWTaK
10
“About America First Policy Institute – Chairs,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9jnAr
11
Oliver Milman. “Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as environment chief and vows to roll back rules,” The Guardian, November 11, 2024. Archived December 2, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
12
Dana Drugmand. “Who Is Lee Zeldin?,” Sierra, November 18, 2024. Archived November 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
13
“AFW Leadership,” America First Works, Accessed December 6, 2024. Archived December 6, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9pqWW
14
“Tim Dunn,” Linkedin. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
15
Mike Allen. “Scoop: Trump alumni launch largest post-administration group,” AXIOS, November 22, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
16
Meridith McGraw. “Trump returns to D.C. this week. These former advisors are plotting the comeback,” POLITICO, November 22, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
17
Ken Bensinger and David A. Fahrenthold. “The Group at the Center of Trump’s Planning for a Second Term Is One You Haven’t Heard of,” The New York Times, December 1, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7JLR7
18
Alex Isenstadt. “Senior Trump advisers prepare to launch policy group,” POLITICO, December 22, 2020. Archived December 22, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/5JCWG
19
Mike Allen. “Scoop: Trump alumni launch largest post-administration group,” AXIOS, April 13, 2021. Archived November 22, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bACsc
20
America First Policy Institute 990 for the year ending Dec. 2022. ProPublica. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
21
Mike Allen. “Scoop: Trump alumni launch largest post-administration group,” AXIOS, April 13, 2021. Archived November 22, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bACsc
22
America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023.
23
“America First Works,” Monitoring Influence, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/68Fgj
24
Brian Schwartz. “Trump-allied dark money group joins forces with a think tank run by ex-president’s former aides,” CNBC, November 22, 2021. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9kHCe
25
“America First Action Outside Spending – 2024,” OpenSecrets, Accessed December 2, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/niJ98
26
“America First Action,” Ballotpedia, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CCaM5
27
“The American First Transition Project,” American First Project Institute. Archived September 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iDYIO
28
“Congratulations Donald J. Trump,” Facebook image from America First Policy Institute, November 6, 2024. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
29
“America First Agenda Pillars,” America First Agenda. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
30
“PILLAR X: Fight Government Corruption by Draining the Swamp: America First Agenda,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
31
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans” (PDF), AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
32
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans” (PDF), AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
33
“Pillar VII Make America Energy Independent: Lower The Price of Gas and Energy By Increasing Production of America’s Energy Supplies (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 30, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/K7p49
34
“Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Review: Missed Opportunity to Put America First (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, June 13, 2022 (document creation date). Archived May 11, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9p5eZ
35
“Pillar VII Make America Energy Independent: Create A Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/sJUDZ
36
“Pillar VII Make America Energy Independent: Create A Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/sJUDZ
37
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans (PDF),” AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 30, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
38
“The Need to Refocus International Efforts on Traditional Air Pollutants” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, March 15, 2022 (document creation date). Archived July 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
39
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WxfzM
40
“Unleashing American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, March 10, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 7, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
41
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WxfzM
42
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
43
Beth Walker, Maria Pastukhova. “An orderly and equitable global transition away from fossil fuels,” E3G, October 14, 2024. Archived December 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zUNOA
44
“Pillar VII Make America Energy Independent: Create A Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/sJUDZ
45
“Unleashing American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, March 10, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 7, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
46
“Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance” (PDF), AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 29, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
47
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become Energy Independent to End America’s Reliance on Foreign Sources of Oil and Gas,” AFPI. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jhLlo
48
Jon Greenberg. “Does the US lead in cutting greenhouse gases? It depends on how you look at it,” PolitiFact, April 6, 2022. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Bhgg1
49
“Become Energy Independent to End America’s Reliance on Foreign Sources of Oil and Gas,” AFPI, Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jhLlo
50
“Become Energy Independent to End America’s Reliance on Foreign Sources of Oil and Gas,” AFPI, Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jhLlo
51
“Create a Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF)” AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
52
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
53
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
54
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
55
“Create a Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF)” AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
56
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
57
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans” (PDF), AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
58
Rylee Wilson. “Major environmental groups opposed the new USMCA trade deal,” PolitiFact, January 22, 2020. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/E0lTX
59
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
60
“Solution: Cut the Bidenomics red tape and return to America First energy policies,” Facebook image from America First Policy Institute, July 3, 2024. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
61
“Myth: U.S. natural gas is not clean,” Facebook image from America First Policy Institute, May 10, 2024. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
62
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived April 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/1WRly
63
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” American First Policy Institute. Archived November 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/8kOGf
64
Hailey Fuchs and Meridith McGraw. “Meet the think tank planning a second Trump administration. (It’s not Project 2025.),” Politico, August 29, 2024. Archived August 30, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
65
Guardian staff and agencies. “Trump picks former WWE executive Linda McMahon for education secretary,” The Guardian, November 19, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/N39ri
66
“Linda McMahon,” SBA: U.S. Small Business Association. Archived December 2, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7OjoY
67
John Towfighi. “Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education pick, was sued for allegedly enabling sexual abuse of children,” CNN, November 21, 2024. Archived December 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YPnZ8
68
“The Honorable Larry Kudlow,” America First Policy Institute, December 3, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/fJsB2
69
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/opfe2
70
“AFW Leadership,” America First Works, Accessed December 6, 2024. Archived December 6, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9pqWW
71
Patrick Svitek. “As Trump Sputters, Texas Republicans Stand by Their Man,” The Texas Tribune, August 19, 2016. Archived December 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AJzKN
72
Robin Levinson King. “Nominee for agriculture secretary completes Trump cabinet,” BBC, November 24, 2024. Archived December 2, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/TNopk
73
“BROOKE L. ROLLINS, PRESIDENT AND CEO,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 5, 2017. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3tLXb
74
“Texas Public Policy Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. August 21, 2018.
75
“Board of Directors,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
76
“At the Crossroads, Closing Lunch Keynote U.S. Senator & Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Texas Public Policy Foundation,” November 24, 2015. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
77
“Ashley Hayek,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YZPlT
78
“America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fq4u
79
“Ashley Hayek,” American First Policy Institute, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YZPlT
80
Ashley Hayek. “If Climate Change Is Real, Why Don’t the Elites Act Like It?,” Townhall, October 5, 2023. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/blwdu
81
“About America First Policy Institute – Chairs,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9jnAr
82
“AFW Leadership,” America First Works, Accessed December 6, 2024. Archived December 6, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9pqWW
83
“The Honorable Lee Zeldin,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SAysZ
84
Oliver Milman. “Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as environmental chief and vows to roll back rules,” The Guardian, Novewmber 11, 2024. Archived November 23, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/SAysZ
85
Oliver Milman. “Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as environmental chief and vows to roll back rules,” The Guardian, November 11, 2024. Archived November 23, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/SAysZ
86
Dana Drugmand. “Who Is Lee Zeldin?” Sierra, November 18, 2024. Archived November 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wuiWK
87
“About America First Policy Institute – Chairs,” America First Policy Institute, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9jnAr
88
“Ambassador Carla Sands,” America First Policy Institute, November 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2Ey1w
89
Scott Waldman. “She says ‘kids are killing themselves’ to stop climate change. Meet a potential Trump advisor,” E&ENews by Politico, September 26, 2024. Archived September 26, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/piocq
90
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 28, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aLTpn
91
Darryl Fears. “Senate confirms former oil and gas lobbyist David Bernhardt as interior secretary,” The Washington Post, April 11, 2019. Archived April 11, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3OZDg
92
“Lobbyist Profile: Bernhardt, David L,” OpenSecrets.org. Accessed December 17, 2018.
93
“The Honorable John Ratcliffe,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 22, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/V4bDn
94
Rachel Leingang. “Project 2025: the Trump picks with ties to ultra-rightwing policy manifesto,” The Guardian, November 26, 2024. Archived November 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ymCcX
95
“America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fq4u
96
“American First Inc: America First Policy Institute,” ProPublica. Archived October 8, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/pPQdO
97
“Tim Dunn,” Linkedin. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
98
“Board of Directors,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
99
Geoff Dembicki. “Trump Megadonor Tim Dunn Has a Plan More Extreme Than Project 2025,” DeSmog, October 23, 2024. Archived December 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/eT8KQ
100
“Steve Moore,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/OWTaK
101
“Denier Stephen Moore says climate change is ‘climate improvement’ and ‘the truth is the 1930s was a warmer decade than the last decade’,” ThinkProgress, June 20, 2009. Archived November 15, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/t3hNI
102
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” About American First Policy Institute. Archived November 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aLTpn
103
“Our Mission,” American First Policy Institute.. Archived September 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/zeRHr
104
“Biography: James R. (Rick) Perry,” Energy Transfer. Archived September 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/2pZPr
105
“Our Mission,” American First Policy Institute.DeSmog. Archived September 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/zeRHr
106
“Andrew Wheeler, former energy lobbyist, confirmed as nation’s top environmental official,” The Washington Post, February 28, 2019. Archived February 28, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/xWYi6
107
Robin Levinson King. “Nominee for agriculture secretary completes Trump cabinet,” BBC, November 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TNopk
108
Rachael Oatman. “Meat industry in favor of nominated ag secretary,” Meat+Poultry, November 26, 2024. Archived December 11, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
109
Kristen Holmes, Kaitlan Collins, and John Towfighi. “Trump names Linda McMahon as his pick for Education secretary,” CNN, November 20, 2024. Archived December 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/hLS1c
110
“CONGRATULATIONS, AFPI Chair of the Board Linda McMahon,” Facebook image from America First Policy Institute, November 20, 2024. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
111
“About America First Policy Institute – Chairs,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9jnAr
112
Oliver Milman. “Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as environment Chief and vows to roll back rules,” Guardian, November 11, 2024. Archived December 2, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UFwWw
113
Geoff Dembicki. “Trump Megadonor Tim Dunn Has a Plan More Extreme Than Project 2025,” DeSmog, October 23, 2024.
114
Gustaf Kilander. “MAGA pastor says climate activists are being controlled by ‘demons’,” Independent, July 14, 2022. Archived September 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/QiN0i
115
Andy Kroll, ProPublica; Phoebe Petrovic, Wisconsin Watch; and Nick Surgey, Documented. “JD Vance Campaign Event With Christian Right Leaders May Have Violated Tax and Election Laws, Experts Say,” ProPublica, October 18, 2024. Archived November 28, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KRhUL
116
Andy Kroll, ProPublica; Phoebe Petrovic, Wisconsin Watch; and Nick Surgey, Documented. “JD Vance Campaign Event With Christian Right Leaders May Have Violated Tax and Election Laws, Experts Say,” ProPublica, October 18, 2024. Archived November 28, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KRhUL
117
Oliver McPherson-Smith. “The Costs of Banning Fracking,” AFPI, August 21, 2024. Archived December 13, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iSd23
118
Hailey Fuchs and Meridith McGraw. “Meet the think tank planning a second Trump administration. (It’s not Project 2025.),” Politico, August 29, 2024. Archived August 30, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
119
“California Has Sacrificed its Energy Stability on the Altar of Green Energy ideology,” American First Policy Institute, May 24, 2024. Archived September 17, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/mWmeb
120
David Vasquez. “Fact Sheet: Center for Energy & Environment: The $1.347 Trillion Green New Steal” (PDF), American First Policy Institute, April 2, 2024. Archived April 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RYESY
121
Ambassador Carla Sands. “SEC shows dangerous commitment to ESG agenda,” America First Policy Institute, January 16, 2024. Archived September 17, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/711sg
122
Jennifer Yachnin. “Invest in nature? Might be possible with ‘natural asset companies’,” E&ENews by Politico, December 11, 2023. Archived September 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/11fwg
123
Carla Sands. “SEC shows dangerous commitment to ESG agenda,” The Washington Times, January 16, 2024. Archived April 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jIJe
124
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
125
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
126
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
127
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
128
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
129
“Fighting Climate Extremism & Keeping the Lights On,” YouTube video uploaded by user Carla Sands on May 30, 2023. Archived December 9, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
130
Geoff Dembicki. “Trump EPA Pick Lee Zeldin Backed by Texas Fracking Billionaire Tim Dunn,” DeSmog, November 13, 2024. Archived November 19, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/w57G9
131
“Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Review: Missed Opportunity To Put America First” (PDF), America First Policy Institute. Archived May 11, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9p5eZ
132
“America First Works,” The Centre for Media and Democracy, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/G8Jiy
133
“ALEC Corporations,” SourceWatch. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/1UBUs
134
“President Donald J. Trump to Headline the America First Agenda Summit,” America First Policy, July 14, 2022. Archived January 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wH6dv
135
“Donald Trump Speaks At America First Agenda Summit In Washington, DC Transcript,” Rev. Archived December 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PTrOS
136
“Make America Energy Independent Roundtable,” YouTube video uploaded by user America First Policy Institute on July 25, 2022. Archived December 9, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
137
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” About American First Policy Institute. Archived November 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aLTpn
138
“Make America Energy Independent Roundtable,” YouTube video uploaded by user America First Policy Institute on July 25, 2022. Archived December 9, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
139
“The Oil and Gas Industry in Net Zero Transitions,” International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook Special Report, Revised version December 2023 and February 2024. Archived November 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ve5Rt
140
“Make America Energy Independent Roundtable,” YouTube video uploaded by user America First Policy Institute on July 25, 2022. Archived December 9, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
141
“Save America (and American Energy), Kill the Bill” (PDF), America First Policy Institute and the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered initiative. Archived October 21, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
142
“Save America (and American Energy), Kill the Bill” (PDF), America First Policy Institute and the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered initiative. Archived October 21, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
143
“About America First Policy Institute,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9xOtg
144
“Center for American Freedom,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 16, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xEmNq
145
“Messaging and Data Lab: Quick Resources,” America First Policy Institute. Archived September 17, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/K62Nt
146
“About America First Policy Institute: State Chapters,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/0qtqq
147
“America First Pennsylvania: Quick Resources,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zfKcc
148
“Weaponization of Government: Quick Resources,” America First Policy Institute. Archived September 17, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/wip/c7JcR
149
“About America First Policy Institute: Initiatives,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EYRre
150
America First Works Homepage. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
151
“America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fq4u
152
Brian Schwartz. “Trump-allied dark money group joins forces with a think tank run by ex-president’s former aides,” CNBC, November 22, 2021. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9kHCe
153
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/opfe2
154
AFW Leadership,” America First Works, Accessed December 6, 2024. Archived December 6, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9pqWW
155
“America First Works,” Monitoring Influence, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/68Fgj
156
Ki P. Hong Charles M. Ricciardelli Matthew Bobys Melissa L. Miles Tyler Rosen Karina Bakhshi-Azar Theodore R. Grodek Olivia N. Marshall Sam Rothbloom. “Complying With the Rules of Governing 501(c)(4) Organizations: Key Issues,” Skadden, March 20, 2023. Archived September 14, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/M1aTK
157
Andrew Perez. “Southern Co., CVS, Dow Chemical Funding Trump Dark Money Group Tied to Racist, Anti-Semitic Views,” MapLight News Archive, May 31, 2018. Archived November 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/eCUon
158
Carrie Levine. “Pro-Trump nonprofit gives millions to groups boosting his agenda,” Center for Public Integrity, November 20, 2021. Archived July 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/gzBFR
159
“America First Works,” The Center for Media and Democracy: State Financial Officers Foundation Exposed project, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/G8Jiy
160
“America First Works,” The Center for Media and Democracy: State Financial Officers Foundation Exposed project, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/G8Jiy
161
“America First Action Outside Spending – 2024,” OpenSecrets, Accessed December 2, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/niJ98
162
“America First Action,” Ballotpedia, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CCaM5
163
“America First Action,” Ballotpedia, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CCaM5
164
“America First Action,” Ballotpedia, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CCaM5
165
“What is a PAC,” OpenSecrets, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 2, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vyJQo
166
“PAC Profile: America First Action,” OpenSecrets, Accessed December 10, 2024. Archived November 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ueU9p
167
“Unleashing American Energy,” America First Policy Institute, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered initiative. Archived June 7, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UhYf9
168
“Save America (and American Energy), Kill the Bill,” America First Policy Institute and the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered initiative. Archived October 21, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
169
“America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fq4u
170
“Board of Directors,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
171
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” About American First Policy Institute. Archived November 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aLTpn
172
“Board of Directors,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
173
Andy Kroll, ProPublica; Phoebe Petrovic, Wisconsin Watch; and Nick Surgey, Documented. “JD Vance Campaign Event With Christian Right Leaders May Have Violated Tax and Election Laws, Experts Say,” ProPublica, October 18, 2024. Archived November 28, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KRhUL
174
“Re: RIN 1235-AA39, Proposed Rule, Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees, 88 FR 62125 (September 8, 2023),” America First Policy Institute, November 7, 2023. Archived November 16, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PasCE
175
“Communication Team Contact Page,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xKDAV

1
Hailey Fuchs and Meridith McGraw. “Meet the think tank planning a second Trump administration. (It’s not Project 2025.),” Politico, August 29, 2024. Archived August 30, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
2
Alex Isenstadt. “Senior Trump advisers prepare to launch policy group,” Politico, December 22, 2020. Archived December 16, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
3
Become Energy Independent to End America’s Reliance on Foreign Sources of Oil and Gas,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
4
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans (PDF),” AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
5
“Stephen Moore,” Heritage Foundation. Archived December 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iEETg
6
Michael W. Chapman. “Stephen Moore: Climate Change ‘One of Greatest Propaganda Campaigns in World History’–’Very Stalinistic’,” cnsnews.com, June 9, 2016. Archived November 15, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.is/DdOe
7
“Ashley Hayek,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YZPlT
8
Ashley Hayek. “If Climate Change Is Real, Why Don’t the Elites Act Like It?,” Townhall, October 5, 2023. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/blwdu
9
“Steve Moore,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/OWTaK
10
“About America First Policy Institute – Chairs,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9jnAr
11
Oliver Milman. “Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as environment chief and vows to roll back rules,” The Guardian, November 11, 2024. Archived December 2, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
12
Dana Drugmand. “Who Is Lee Zeldin?,” Sierra, November 18, 2024. Archived November 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
13
“AFW Leadership,” America First Works, Accessed December 6, 2024. Archived December 6, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9pqWW
14
“Tim Dunn,” Linkedin. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
15
Mike Allen. “Scoop: Trump alumni launch largest post-administration group,” AXIOS, November 22, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
16
Meridith McGraw. “Trump returns to D.C. this week. These former advisors are plotting the comeback,” POLITICO, November 22, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
17
Ken Bensinger and David A. Fahrenthold. “The Group at the Center of Trump’s Planning for a Second Term Is One You Haven’t Heard of,” The New York Times, December 1, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7JLR7
18
Alex Isenstadt. “Senior Trump advisers prepare to launch policy group,” POLITICO, December 22, 2020. Archived December 22, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/5JCWG
19
Mike Allen. “Scoop: Trump alumni launch largest post-administration group,” AXIOS, April 13, 2021. Archived November 22, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bACsc
20
America First Policy Institute 990 for the year ending Dec. 2022. ProPublica. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
21
Mike Allen. “Scoop: Trump alumni launch largest post-administration group,” AXIOS, April 13, 2021. Archived November 22, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/bACsc
22
America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023.
23
“America First Works,” Monitoring Influence, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/68Fgj
24
Brian Schwartz. “Trump-allied dark money group joins forces with a think tank run by ex-president’s former aides,” CNBC, November 22, 2021. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9kHCe
25
“America First Action Outside Spending – 2024,” OpenSecrets, Accessed December 2, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/niJ98
26
“America First Action,” Ballotpedia, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CCaM5
27
“The American First Transition Project,” American First Project Institute. Archived September 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iDYIO
28
“Congratulations Donald J. Trump,” Facebook image from America First Policy Institute, November 6, 2024. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
29
“America First Agenda Pillars,” America First Agenda. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
30
“PILLAR X: Fight Government Corruption by Draining the Swamp: America First Agenda,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
31
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans” (PDF), AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
32
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans” (PDF), AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
33
“Pillar VII Make America Energy Independent: Lower The Price of Gas and Energy By Increasing Production of America’s Energy Supplies (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 30, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/K7p49
34
“Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Review: Missed Opportunity to Put America First (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, June 13, 2022 (document creation date). Archived May 11, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9p5eZ
35
“Pillar VII Make America Energy Independent: Create A Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/sJUDZ
36
“Pillar VII Make America Energy Independent: Create A Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/sJUDZ
37
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans (PDF),” AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 30, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
38
“The Need to Refocus International Efforts on Traditional Air Pollutants” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, March 15, 2022 (document creation date). Archived July 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
39
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WxfzM
40
“Unleashing American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, March 10, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 7, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
41
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WxfzM
42
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
43
Beth Walker, Maria Pastukhova. “An orderly and equitable global transition away from fossil fuels,” E3G, October 14, 2024. Archived December 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zUNOA
44
“Pillar VII Make America Energy Independent: Create A Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF),” America First Policy Institute, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/sJUDZ
45
“Unleashing American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, March 10, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 7, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
46
“Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance” (PDF), AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived June 29, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
47
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become Energy Independent to End America’s Reliance on Foreign Sources of Oil and Gas,” AFPI. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jhLlo
48
Jon Greenberg. “Does the US lead in cutting greenhouse gases? It depends on how you look at it,” PolitiFact, April 6, 2022. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Bhgg1
49
“Become Energy Independent to End America’s Reliance on Foreign Sources of Oil and Gas,” AFPI, Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jhLlo
50
“Become Energy Independent to End America’s Reliance on Foreign Sources of Oil and Gas,” AFPI, Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jhLlo
51
“Create a Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF)” AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
52
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
53
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
54
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
55
“Create a Predictable, Transparent, and Efficient Permitting Process and Regulatory Environment (PDF)” AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived April 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
56
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
57
“Provide Clean Air, Clean Water, and a Clean Environment for All Americans” (PDF), AFPI, December 7, 2022 (document creation date). Archived December 3, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
58
Rylee Wilson. “Major environmental groups opposed the new USMCA trade deal,” PolitiFact, January 22, 2020. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/E0lTX
59
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SikZz
60
“Solution: Cut the Bidenomics red tape and return to America First energy policies,” Facebook image from America First Policy Institute, July 3, 2024. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
61
“Myth: U.S. natural gas is not clean,” Facebook image from America First Policy Institute, May 10, 2024. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
62
“Pillar VII: Make America Energy Independent: Become an Energy Superpower by Exporting America’s Energy Abundance,” America First Policy Institute. Archived April 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/1WRly
63
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” American First Policy Institute. Archived November 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/8kOGf
64
Hailey Fuchs and Meridith McGraw. “Meet the think tank planning a second Trump administration. (It’s not Project 2025.),” Politico, August 29, 2024. Archived August 30, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
65
Guardian staff and agencies. “Trump picks former WWE executive Linda McMahon for education secretary,” The Guardian, November 19, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/N39ri
66
“Linda McMahon,” SBA: U.S. Small Business Association. Archived December 2, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7OjoY
67
John Towfighi. “Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education pick, was sued for allegedly enabling sexual abuse of children,” CNN, November 21, 2024. Archived December 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YPnZ8
68
“The Honorable Larry Kudlow,” America First Policy Institute, December 3, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/fJsB2
69
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/opfe2
70
“AFW Leadership,” America First Works, Accessed December 6, 2024. Archived December 6, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9pqWW
71
Patrick Svitek. “As Trump Sputters, Texas Republicans Stand by Their Man,” The Texas Tribune, August 19, 2016. Archived December 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AJzKN
72
Robin Levinson King. “Nominee for agriculture secretary completes Trump cabinet,” BBC, November 24, 2024. Archived December 2, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/TNopk
73
“BROOKE L. ROLLINS, PRESIDENT AND CEO,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 5, 2017. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3tLXb
74
“Texas Public Policy Foundation,” Conservative Transparency. August 21, 2018.
75
“Board of Directors,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
76
“At the Crossroads, Closing Lunch Keynote U.S. Senator & Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Texas Public Policy Foundation,” November 24, 2015. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.
77
“Ashley Hayek,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YZPlT
78
“America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fq4u
79
“Ashley Hayek,” American First Policy Institute, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YZPlT
80
Ashley Hayek. “If Climate Change Is Real, Why Don’t the Elites Act Like It?,” Townhall, October 5, 2023. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/blwdu
81
“About America First Policy Institute – Chairs,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9jnAr
82
“AFW Leadership,” America First Works, Accessed December 6, 2024. Archived December 6, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9pqWW
83
“The Honorable Lee Zeldin,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/SAysZ
84
Oliver Milman. “Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as environmental chief and vows to roll back rules,” The Guardian, Novewmber 11, 2024. Archived November 23, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/SAysZ
85
Oliver Milman. “Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as environmental chief and vows to roll back rules,” The Guardian, November 11, 2024. Archived November 23, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/SAysZ
86
Dana Drugmand. “Who Is Lee Zeldin?” Sierra, November 18, 2024. Archived November 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wuiWK
87
“About America First Policy Institute – Chairs,” America First Policy Institute, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9jnAr
88
“Ambassador Carla Sands,” America First Policy Institute, November 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/2Ey1w
89
Scott Waldman. “She says ‘kids are killing themselves’ to stop climate change. Meet a potential Trump advisor,” E&ENews by Politico, September 26, 2024. Archived September 26, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/piocq
90
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 28, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aLTpn
91
Darryl Fears. “Senate confirms former oil and gas lobbyist David Bernhardt as interior secretary,” The Washington Post, April 11, 2019. Archived April 11, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/3OZDg
92
“Lobbyist Profile: Bernhardt, David L,” OpenSecrets.org. Accessed December 17, 2018.
93
“The Honorable John Ratcliffe,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 22, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/V4bDn
94
Rachel Leingang. “Project 2025: the Trump picks with ties to ultra-rightwing policy manifesto,” The Guardian, November 26, 2024. Archived November 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ymCcX
95
“America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fq4u
96
“American First Inc: America First Policy Institute,” ProPublica. Archived October 8, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/pPQdO
97
“Tim Dunn,” Linkedin. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
98
“Board of Directors,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
99
Geoff Dembicki. “Trump Megadonor Tim Dunn Has a Plan More Extreme Than Project 2025,” DeSmog, October 23, 2024. Archived December 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/eT8KQ
100
“Steve Moore,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/OWTaK
101
“Denier Stephen Moore says climate change is ‘climate improvement’ and ‘the truth is the 1930s was a warmer decade than the last decade’,” ThinkProgress, June 20, 2009. Archived November 15, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/t3hNI
102
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” About American First Policy Institute. Archived November 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aLTpn
103
“Our Mission,” American First Policy Institute.. Archived September 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/zeRHr
104
“Biography: James R. (Rick) Perry,” Energy Transfer. Archived September 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/2pZPr
105
“Our Mission,” American First Policy Institute.DeSmog. Archived September 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/zeRHr
106
“Andrew Wheeler, former energy lobbyist, confirmed as nation’s top environmental official,” The Washington Post, February 28, 2019. Archived February 28, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/xWYi6
107
Robin Levinson King. “Nominee for agriculture secretary completes Trump cabinet,” BBC, November 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/TNopk
108
Rachael Oatman. “Meat industry in favor of nominated ag secretary,” Meat+Poultry, November 26, 2024. Archived December 11, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
109
Kristen Holmes, Kaitlan Collins, and John Towfighi. “Trump names Linda McMahon as his pick for Education secretary,” CNN, November 20, 2024. Archived December 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/hLS1c
110
“CONGRATULATIONS, AFPI Chair of the Board Linda McMahon,” Facebook image from America First Policy Institute, November 20, 2024. Archived .png on file at DeSmog.
111
“About America First Policy Institute – Chairs,” AFPI, Accessed December 3, 2024. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9jnAr
112
Oliver Milman. “Trump picks ally Lee Zeldin as environment Chief and vows to roll back rules,” Guardian, November 11, 2024. Archived December 2, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UFwWw
113
Geoff Dembicki. “Trump Megadonor Tim Dunn Has a Plan More Extreme Than Project 2025,” DeSmog, October 23, 2024.
114
Gustaf Kilander. “MAGA pastor says climate activists are being controlled by ‘demons’,” Independent, July 14, 2022. Archived September 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/QiN0i
115
Andy Kroll, ProPublica; Phoebe Petrovic, Wisconsin Watch; and Nick Surgey, Documented. “JD Vance Campaign Event With Christian Right Leaders May Have Violated Tax and Election Laws, Experts Say,” ProPublica, October 18, 2024. Archived November 28, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KRhUL
116
Andy Kroll, ProPublica; Phoebe Petrovic, Wisconsin Watch; and Nick Surgey, Documented. “JD Vance Campaign Event With Christian Right Leaders May Have Violated Tax and Election Laws, Experts Say,” ProPublica, October 18, 2024. Archived November 28, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KRhUL
117
Oliver McPherson-Smith. “The Costs of Banning Fracking,” AFPI, August 21, 2024. Archived December 13, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iSd23
118
Hailey Fuchs and Meridith McGraw. “Meet the think tank planning a second Trump administration. (It’s not Project 2025.),” Politico, August 29, 2024. Archived August 30, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
119
“California Has Sacrificed its Energy Stability on the Altar of Green Energy ideology,” American First Policy Institute, May 24, 2024. Archived September 17, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/mWmeb
120
David Vasquez. “Fact Sheet: Center for Energy & Environment: The $1.347 Trillion Green New Steal” (PDF), American First Policy Institute, April 2, 2024. Archived April 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RYESY
121
Ambassador Carla Sands. “SEC shows dangerous commitment to ESG agenda,” America First Policy Institute, January 16, 2024. Archived September 17, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/711sg
122
Jennifer Yachnin. “Invest in nature? Might be possible with ‘natural asset companies’,” E&ENews by Politico, December 11, 2023. Archived September 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/11fwg
123
Carla Sands. “SEC shows dangerous commitment to ESG agenda,” The Washington Times, January 16, 2024. Archived April 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jIJe
124
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
125
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
126
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
127
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
128
“Messaging & Data Lab: The War on American Energy” (PDF), America First Policy Institute, August 22, 2023. Archived February 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZtLcN
129
“Fighting Climate Extremism & Keeping the Lights On,” YouTube video uploaded by user Carla Sands on May 30, 2023. Archived December 9, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
130
Geoff Dembicki. “Trump EPA Pick Lee Zeldin Backed by Texas Fracking Billionaire Tim Dunn,” DeSmog, November 13, 2024. Archived November 19, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/w57G9
131
“Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Review: Missed Opportunity To Put America First” (PDF), America First Policy Institute. Archived May 11, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9p5eZ
132
“America First Works,” The Centre for Media and Democracy, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/G8Jiy
133
“ALEC Corporations,” SourceWatch. Archive.is URL:https://archive.is/1UBUs
134
“President Donald J. Trump to Headline the America First Agenda Summit,” America First Policy, July 14, 2022. Archived January 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wH6dv
135
“Donald Trump Speaks At America First Agenda Summit In Washington, DC Transcript,” Rev. Archived December 10, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PTrOS
136
“Make America Energy Independent Roundtable,” YouTube video uploaded by user America First Policy Institute on July 25, 2022. Archived December 9, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
137
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” About American First Policy Institute. Archived November 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aLTpn
138
“Make America Energy Independent Roundtable,” YouTube video uploaded by user America First Policy Institute on July 25, 2022. Archived December 9, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
139
“The Oil and Gas Industry in Net Zero Transitions,” International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook Special Report, Revised version December 2023 and February 2024. Archived November 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ve5Rt
140
“Make America Energy Independent Roundtable,” YouTube video uploaded by user America First Policy Institute on July 25, 2022. Archived December 9, 2024. Archived .mp4 available at DeSmog.
141
“Save America (and American Energy), Kill the Bill” (PDF), America First Policy Institute and the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered initiative. Archived October 21, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
142
“Save America (and American Energy), Kill the Bill” (PDF), America First Policy Institute and the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered initiative. Archived October 21, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
143
“About America First Policy Institute,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9xOtg
144
“Center for American Freedom,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 16, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xEmNq
145
“Messaging and Data Lab: Quick Resources,” America First Policy Institute. Archived September 17, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/K62Nt
146
“About America First Policy Institute: State Chapters,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 27, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/0qtqq
147
“America First Pennsylvania: Quick Resources,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zfKcc
148
“Weaponization of Government: Quick Resources,” America First Policy Institute. Archived September 17, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/wip/c7JcR
149
“About America First Policy Institute: Initiatives,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 3, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EYRre
150
America First Works Homepage. Archived December 4, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
151
“America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fq4u
152
Brian Schwartz. “Trump-allied dark money group joins forces with a think tank run by ex-president’s former aides,” CNBC, November 22, 2021. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9kHCe
153
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” America First Policy Institute. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/opfe2
154
AFW Leadership,” America First Works, Accessed December 6, 2024. Archived December 6, 2024. Archived URL: https://archive.ph/9pqWW
155
“America First Works,” Monitoring Influence, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/68Fgj
156
Ki P. Hong Charles M. Ricciardelli Matthew Bobys Melissa L. Miles Tyler Rosen Karina Bakhshi-Azar Theodore R. Grodek Olivia N. Marshall Sam Rothbloom. “Complying With the Rules of Governing 501(c)(4) Organizations: Key Issues,” Skadden, March 20, 2023. Archived September 14, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/M1aTK
157
Andrew Perez. “Southern Co., CVS, Dow Chemical Funding Trump Dark Money Group Tied to Racist, Anti-Semitic Views,” MapLight News Archive, May 31, 2018. Archived November 11, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/eCUon
158
Carrie Levine. “Pro-Trump nonprofit gives millions to groups boosting his agenda,” Center for Public Integrity, November 20, 2021. Archived July 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wip/gzBFR
159
“America First Works,” The Center for Media and Democracy: State Financial Officers Foundation Exposed project, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/G8Jiy
160
“America First Works,” The Center for Media and Democracy: State Financial Officers Foundation Exposed project, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/G8Jiy
161
“America First Action Outside Spending – 2024,” OpenSecrets, Accessed December 2, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/niJ98
162
“America First Action,” Ballotpedia, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CCaM5
163
“America First Action,” Ballotpedia, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CCaM5
164
“America First Action,” Ballotpedia, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CCaM5
165
“What is a PAC,” OpenSecrets, Accessed December 4, 2024. Archived December 2, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vyJQo
166
“PAC Profile: America First Action,” OpenSecrets, Accessed December 10, 2024. Archived November 26, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ueU9p
167
“Unleashing American Energy,” America First Policy Institute, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered initiative. Archived June 7, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UhYf9
168
“Save America (and American Energy), Kill the Bill,” America First Policy Institute and the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Life:Powered initiative. Archived October 21, 2022. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
169
“America First Policy Institute and America First Works Highlight Disastrous Effect New IRS Enforcement will have on Low-Income Minority Families,” America First Policy Institute, August 10, 2022. Archived December 6, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fq4u
170
“Board of Directors,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
171
“About America First Policy Institute – Team,” About American First Policy Institute. Archived November 20, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aLTpn
172
“Board of Directors,” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Archived January 19, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
173
Andy Kroll, ProPublica; Phoebe Petrovic, Wisconsin Watch; and Nick Surgey, Documented. “JD Vance Campaign Event With Christian Right Leaders May Have Violated Tax and Election Laws, Experts Say,” ProPublica, October 18, 2024. Archived November 28, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KRhUL
174
“Re: RIN 1235-AA39, Proposed Rule, Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees, 88 FR 62125 (September 8, 2023),” America First Policy Institute, November 7, 2023. Archived November 16, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/PasCE
175
“Communication Team Contact Page,” America First Policy Institute. Archived November 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xKDAV

DeSmog

DeSmog

America First Policy Institute (AFPI)

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI)

Background

2025 Transition Plans

Stance on Climate Change

Stance on Energy

Funding

AFPI 990 Forms

America First Works 990 Forms

Key People

Leadership

Chairs

Other

Previous Staff

Actions

Contact & Address

Other Resources

Resources

Related Profiles

Heartland Institute

America Rising LLC | PAC | America Rising Squared | Definers Public Affairs

Global Warming Policy Foundation

Joseph Bast

DeSmog

DeSmog

America First Policy Institute (AFPI)

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI)

Background

2025 Transition Plans

Stance on Climate Change

Stance on Energy

Funding

AFPI 990 Forms

America First Works 990 Forms

Key People

Leadership

Chairs

Other

Previous Staff

Actions

Related Organizations

Contact & Address

Social Media

Other Resources

Resources

Related Profiles

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter