More than a dozen staffers leave Heritage to join Pence-led nonprofit

Mass Exodus from The Heritage Foundation to Advancing American Freedom

In a move that echoes the tumultuous climate of contemporary conservatism, over a dozen staffers from The Heritage Foundation are departing the think tank to join a nonprofit established by former Vice President Mike Pence. This shift underscores the ongoing strife within an organization that has recently faced significant scrutiny and internal disruption.

Advancing American Freedom (AAF), founded by Pence in 2021 to “defend liberty and advance policies that build a stronger America,” announced on Monday that three senior officials from Heritage—who previously led the legal, economic, and data teams—will be joining their ranks next year, along with several of their team members. This exodus has been touted as a pivotal moment for AAF as it seeks to assert itself within the conservative landscape.

As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, these departures are symptomatic of the upheaval that has plagued Heritage, particularly following a scandal that linked the organization to Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and the broader conservative discourse on antisemitism.

Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, known for his role in creating “Project 2025” for a potential second Trump administration, faced harsh criticism from notable conservative figures, including commentator Ben Shapiro, after he defended Tucker Carlson’s controversial interview with Fuentes. In response to the backlash, Roberts acknowledged his misstep during a staff meeting in November, expressing a desire to rectify the situation, according to a leaked video obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

The recruitment of these former Heritage officials positions AAF as a potential new leader in the conservative movement. Pence, who has found himself at odds with Trump since certifying the 2020 election results, stated, “AAF is honored to welcome these principled conservative scholars to the team. They bring a wealth of experience, a love of country, and a deep commitment to the Constitution and Conservative Movement that will further the cause of liberty.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Olivastro, chief advancement officer at The Heritage Foundation, attempted to maintain a facade of stability, asserting in a statement that the think tank’s “mission is unchanged, and our leadership is strong and decisive.” He characterized the departures as a choice made by a “handful of staff” who opted for a “different path”—some through disruption, others through disloyalty, he claimed.

Olivastro further revealed that several departing staffers had been “terminated for conduct inconsistent with Heritage’s mission and standards,” suggesting that their exits might pave the way for a more unified team going forward. Notably, former Heritage Vice President John Malcolm is set to head AAF’s new Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law, while Jessica Reinsch, previously deputy director of programs at the Meese Center, will take charge of its programs.

The shake-up extends to AAF’s Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise, which will welcome five staff members from Heritage’s economic policy institute and federal budget center. Additionally, former Chief Statistician Kevin Dayaratna will lead AAF’s Center for Statistical Modeling & Scientific Analysis.

In a related development, Josh Blackman, a legal scholar who contributed to Project 2025, resigned as senior editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, citing Roberts’ earlier comments as “a huge unforced blunder” that aided the “rising tide of antisemitism on the right.” His resignation letter articulated a deep disappointment with Roberts’ handling of the situation, stating, “Your initial remarks were indefensible. Your apology was underwhelming. And the lack of any meaningful follow-up over the past three months has been telling.”

Despite the exodus, some within Heritage have chosen to remain, including conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who announced he would extend his stay as a visiting fellow. Starbuck suggested on social media that the resignations were more about the upcoming 2028 elections than any ideological disagreements, implying that those who left were yearning for a return to a Pence/Ryan-style GOP.

The ongoing turmoil at Heritage, once a cornerstone of the MAGA coalition, continues to send ripples through the GOP. This internal conflict has sparked heated discussions among prominent figures, including Carlson, Shapiro, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Steve Bannon, over Fuentes’ controversial presence in the party during a recent gathering at Turning Point’s AmericaFest in Phoenix.