Conservative Group Gains New Strength as Heritage Foundation Faces Internal Shifts
Advancing American Freedom (AAF), a conservative organization led by former Vice President Mike Pence, has recently welcomed a significant number of former Heritage Foundation employees. This move is seen as a major shift within the conservative movement, signaling a potential realignment of priorities and strategies.
Tim Chapman, president of AAF, described the addition of these individuals – including experts in law, data analysis, and economics – as a “reorganization of the conservative movement.” He suggested that these professionals are seeking an environment where they believe they can best contribute to advancing conservative principles.
These changes at the Heritage Foundation follow a video released by its president, Kevin Roberts, in October. The video addressed criticism of a podcast host and touched on sensitive topics that caused controversy within the organization.
Among the new hires at AAF are prominent figures like John Malcolm, who previously led the Heritage Foundation’s legal studies center. At AAF, he will head the new Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law. Richard Stern, former director of Heritage’s economics center, will lead the Plymouth Center for Free Enterprise at AAF. Kevin Dayaratna, who managed data analysis at Heritage, will establish a similar program at AAF.
AAF has indicated that more staff announcements will be forthcoming, suggesting further expansion and development within the organization.
Since the release of the video, several members of the Heritage Foundation’s board have resigned, citing concerns about the organization’s approach to certain issues.
Josh Blackman, a senior editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, also resigned, stating that the president’s actions made his continued affiliation with Heritage “untenable.” Blackman expressed concerns that the president’s comments had inadvertently supported antisemitism and weakened the ability of the Meese Center to promote the rule of law.
Chris DeMuth, who previously led the American Enterprise Institute and joined Heritage, also resigned, though he did not publicly state his reasons.
Chapman suggested that the recent events at the Heritage Foundation pushed many employees, who were already considering leaving, to finalize their decisions. He stated that leaders from the legal, economics, and data analysis departments approached AAF, indicating that the events surrounding the video were the “straw that broke the camel’s back.”
These shifts highlight the ongoing debates and evolving dynamics within the conservative movement. As individuals and organizations reassess their priorities and strategies, the landscape of conservative thought and action is likely to continue to evolve. It remains to be seen how these changes will ultimately impact the direction and effectiveness of the broader conservative movement in the years to come.
AAF’s acquisition of talent and expertise positions the organization to play a more prominent role in shaping conservative policy and public discourse. The focus on the rule of law, free enterprise, and data-driven analysis suggests a commitment to advancing conservative principles through reasoned arguments and effective advocacy. The changes at Heritage may reflect broader disagreements within the conservative movement about strategy and priorities. As the movement navigates these divisions, the landscape of conservative organizations is likely to continue shifting.
