Topic: Private Property
“Additionally, the President should revise and sign an updated version of President Ronald Reagan’s Executive Order 1263018 on federal takings.”
This has to do with safeguarding private property against the federal government taking it without just compensation. Vought is unclear what needs to be changed about this, but it’s a safe bet that it will have something to do with forcibly seizing people’s private land at the border to build a wall. Reagan’s act, issued in 1988, has not been substantially altered since its inception.
Full contextual analysis of Section 1.2: Executive Office of the President of the United States here.
Share this quote from Project 2025:
“Mandatory appropriation for border wall system infrastructure.”
This is costly performative nonsense. First of all, it’s pointless to have a wall if you’re not going to man it, since ladders and shovels are things that exist, and second, if you’re going to man the border, you don’t need a wall – borders can be more efficiently manned with technology and numbers than with physical barriers. At least he’s not claiming erroneously that Mexico will pay for it. Put simply, walls don’t work. View our Bite-Sized Brief about that here.
Moreover, “mandatory appropriation” is deliberately vague and quite likely would encompass forced government seizure of private lands in support of building a wall. If it’s “mandatory”, I’m guessing that they’re going to roundly ignore the Eminent Domain requirement that the landowner must be justly compensated, but the author (perhaps purposely) does not specify this.
Full contextual analysis of Section 2.2: Department of Homeland Security and support for my above claim here.
“Meaningful reform of the Endangered Species Act requires that Congress take action to restore its original purpose and end its use to seize private property, prevent economic development, and interfere with the rights of states over their wildlife populations.”
More recommendations that we harm endangered species and wildlife in the name of capitalism. To this end, Pendley recommends de-listing the grizzly bear and the gray wolf as endangered species, so we’d no longer need to worry about protecting those – they wouldn’t qualify for protection anyway. Right now, it’s illegal to harm, harass, or kill grizzly bears, unless it’s in self-defense. This will open them up to be hunted. And yes, they’re still endangered.
Full contextual analysis of Section 3.7: Department of the Interior here.
“Withdraw the 30×30 Executive Order and Associated America the Beautiful Initiative.”
The 30×30 initiative was introduced through Biden’s EO 14008 in January 2021, which calls for conserving 30% of U.S. lands and waters by the year 2030. The goal is to protect biodiversity, address climate change, and ensure long-term sustainability of ecosystems. It emphasizes collaborative efforts with states, local governments, tribes, and private landowners to achieve the conservation targets.
The America the Beautiful initiative is the broader framework for implementing the 30×30 goal. Launched in May 2021, it outlines a locally-led and voluntary approach to conservation. It aims to restore degraded ecosystems, expand access to nature for communities, support rural economies, and enhance resilience to climate change, while also respecting private property rights. This initiative stresses inclusive and equitable conservation efforts across the U.S.
In context, Gilman is offended that these initiatives close areas of the ocean to commercial fishing, while advancing offshore wind energy development.
Full contextual analysis of Section 4.1: Department of Commerce here.