FACT CHECK: Will Project 2025 Shut Down The National Hurricane Center?
A post shared to Facebook states that Project 2025 aims to shut down the National Hurricane Center (NHC) if implemented.
Verdict: Misleading
While the plan does suggest adjustments and restrictions on the National Weather Service (NWS), Project 2025 does not specifically call for the elimination of the program.
Fact Check:
In 2022, the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation launched a public policy plan called Project 2025. This initiative is fueled by the goal to “take down the Deep State and return the government to the people,” according to its website.
The Facebook post warned that “Project 2025 intends to close the National Hurricane Center.” The claim comes as Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida Sept. 25, according to the Associated Press.
The claim is misleading. According to the comprehensive document, the initiative calls to “break up” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under which the NHC operates. (RELATED: FACT CHECK: Harris Campaign Claims Video Shows JD Vance Endorsing Project 2025)
Project 2025 does make recommendations for the National Weather Service (NWS) to “focus on its data-gathering services” which are used by private weather forecasting agencies and “become a Performance-Based Organization.” Regarding the NHC, however, the document only specifically suggests a “review” of the program’s work rather than eliminating it completely.
Its efforts—which include actively tracking and issuing advisories of tropical storms and hurricanes—were described as “important.” Additionally, the document praises the program’s “applied science” that serves the public. In contrast, Project 2025 criticizes the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), which it says “provides theoretical science” instead of more grounded and practical research.
A spokesperson from Project 2025 told Check Your Fact via email that the claim is “false and ridiculous” and encouraged the public to take advantage of the free access to the “Mandate for Leadership,” which can be found here. The spokesperson also emphasized a “distinction between privatization and commercialization,” adding that the project’s proposal to use commercial goods to benefit taxpayers “at a lower cost is nothing new.”
The misleading claim about Project 2025’s impact on the NHC comes as Hurricane Helene is expected to hit Florida as a Category 4 storm, USA Today reported. The NHC also issued a public advisory this week which wars of a dangerous “storm surge.”
Debate surrounding Project 2025 is increasing as the presidential election is barely more than six weeks away. The Heritage Foundation hopes to have its policy plan implemented if Donald Trump is re-elected, giving rise to claims that the former president is actively involved in the project. However, as Reuters reported in July, Trump’s campaign is not developing Project 2025, although many of his top policy advisors are directly involved.
