Heritage Foundation Faces Staff Exodus Amid Controversy Over President’s Remarks
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Heritage Foundation, long considered the intellectual backbone of the conservative movement, is grappling with a significant staff exodus following a controversy sparked by its president, Kevin Roberts. The upheaval began on October 30, 2025, when Roberts defended Fox News host Tucker Carlson for interviewing a young Holocaust denier, remarks that ignited outrage within the think tank and beyond.
Roberts stated, “The Heritage Foundation didn’t become the intellectual backbone of the conservative movement by canceling our own people or policing the consciences of Christians, and we won’t start doing that now.” Despite issuing an apology, the fallout was swift. Within weeks, a wave of resignations swept through the organization, culminating last week in nearly an entire division of Heritage’s legal and economic experts defecting to former Vice President Mike Pence’s think tank, Advancing American Freedom (AAF).
This mass departure highlights a deepening ideological split within the conservative movement, particularly between traditional conservative economists and the populist agenda championed by former President Donald Trump. Heritage’s economists, who have historically supported globalism and free trade, found themselves increasingly at odds with the Foundation’s apparent endorsement of Trump’s protectionist policies, including his aggressive use of tariffs—a stance that runs counter to orthodox conservative economic principles.
Experts who left Heritage reportedly felt marginalized as the organization aligned itself more closely with Vice President J.D. Vance’s 2028 presidential ambitions. Vance, a close ally of Carlson, has made combating globalism and revitalizing small industrial towns central to his platform. However, many longtime Heritage economists view these goals skeptically, doubting the feasibility of rescuing struggling communities like “Nowhere, Ohio.” This disconnect has left them without a meaningful voice in the Foundation or the broader Trump-aligned conservative apparatus.
The rift extends beyond economics into foreign policy and immigration, with tensions mounting over the direction of the conservative agenda post-Trump. Some observers suggest that the Heritage Foundation’s turmoil is emblematic of a broader realignment, as conservatives disillusioned with Trump’s approach seek alternative platforms. The migration to Pence’s AAF is seen by some as an attempt to preserve a traditional conservative ideology amid the populist surge.
Mike Pence’s Advancing American Freedom has positioned itself as a refuge for conservatives seeking a more conventional policy framework. The think tank emphasizes principles such as limited government, free markets, and a strong national defense, contrasting with the populist nationalism that has gained traction in recent years. This ideological positioning has attracted the departing Heritage experts, signaling a potential reshaping of conservative intellectual leadership.
The Heritage Foundation’s crisis underscores the challenges facing the Republican Party as it navigates internal divisions ahead of the 2028 presidential election. The party appears to be wrestling with competing visions: one rooted in populist nationalism and protectionism, and another grounded in traditional conservative economics and global engagement.
Observers note that while think tanks often operate behind the scenes, their influence on policy and party direction can be profound. The ongoing shifts at Heritage and the rise of Pence’s AAF may well foreshadow the ideological battles that will define the GOP’s future.
For more on the evolving conservative landscape, see the Heritage Foundation, Advancing American Freedom, and coverage by the Fox News network. The Republican National Committee is also closely monitoring these developments as the party prepares for upcoming elections.
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