Draft:Center for Renewing America
The Center for Renewing America (CRA) is a Donald Trump-aligned Christian nationalist policy shop that has drawn coverage for its role in shaping the second Trump administration’s agenda, especially around "weaponized" government, immigration, and culture-war issues. Its stated objective is to advance Christian values in official U.S. government policy.[1]
History
[edit]Former Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought simultaneously launched two organizations, CRA and American Restoration Action. He described his purpose as advancing the "America First" policy agenda associated with the Trump administration. He characterized the groups as a think tank and an advocacy arm focused on issues such as border security, election administration, and content moderation by major technology companies. In an interview with Lou Dobbs, Vought said the organizations would not accept any corporate funding, and intended to mobilize public support and lobby Congress in opposition to the Biden administration's agenda.[2]
The CRA was initially led by Russell Vought, who now serves as director of the Office of Management and Budget in the second Trump administration. According to Politico, the group worked to shape plans in the case Trump won the 2024 presidential election. CRA has promoted Christian nationalism as a framework for government policy and cultural renewal.[3]
Organization
[edit]The organization has played a leading role in Project 2025, an effort to recruit and screen thousands of people loyal to Trump to replace nonpartisan federal civil servants.[3][4]
ProPublica described the CRA as "a think tank devoted to keeping the MAGA movement alive and preparing for a second Trump presidency."[5]
Several CRA staff and fellows are affiliated with or have secured official positions in the second Trump administration, including Kash Patel, Ken Cucinelli, and Kingsley Wilson.[6][4][7]
Leadership
[edit]The organization is run by Wade Miller, the executive director, and Ashlea Frazier, who serves as the managing director and chief operating officer.[8]
Policies
[edit]The Center for Renewing America has emphasized several policy priorities, including opposition to what it describes as censorship by large technology companies, efforts to address voter fraud and election administration, strict immigration enforcement, and support for ending prolonged foreign military engagements while opposing policies it views as harmful to domestic energy production.[2] The group also advocates for significant cuts to Medicaid.[9]
According to Politico, the CRA has supported policies for the second Trump term that include broader use of the Insurrection Act, military involvement at the southern border and in mass deportations, abandoning alliances like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs including rolling back transgender rights. The group has presented these goals as part of its opposition to what it calls "Cultural Marxism."[10]
Vought has spoke about CRA's months-long role in creating a media and policy narrative around immigration and asylum-seekers ahead of the 2022 elections.[4]
In addition to publishing policy papers, CRA hosts briefings for Congressional members and staff.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Media Tip Sheet: Think Tank Close to Trump Encourages Christian Nationalist Agenda for Potential Second Term | Media Relations | The George Washington University". Media Relations. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ^ a b Center for Renewing America (2021-02-02). Russ Vought Discusses the Launch of the Center for Renewing America with Lou Dobbs on Fox Biz. Retrieved 2026-04-16 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Ward, Alexander; Przybyla, Heidi (2024-02-20). "Trump allies prepare to infuse 'Christian nationalism' in second administration". POLITICO. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- ^ a b c d Kroll, Andy (2025-10-17). "Russell Vought, Trump's Shadow President". ProPublica. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ^ Kroll, Andy (2025-10-20). "What You Should Know About Russ Vought, Trump's Shadow President". ProPublica. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- ^ "Kingsley Wilson". U.S. Department of War. Archived from the original on 2026-01-28. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ^ "ICYMI: Whitehouse Spotlights Russ Vought's Role as Henchman in Dismantling Federal Government". Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ^ "Who We Are". The Center for Renewing America. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ^ "Center for Renewing America Budget Plan Would Cut Federal Medicaid Spending by One-Third, Repeal Affordable Care Act's Coverage Expansions". Center For Children and Families. 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ^ Ward, Ian (2026-02-14). "Is This Where Trump's NATO Ideas Are Coming From?". POLITICO. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
External links
[edit]- "Center for Renewing America". YouTube. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- Center for Renewing America (2021-02-02). Russ Vought Discusses the Launch of the Center for Renewing America with Lou Dobbs on Fox Biz. Retrieved 2026-04-16 – via YouTube.
- ProPublica (2024-10-28). “We’re Trying to Build a Shadow Office of Legal Counsel”. Retrieved 2026-04-16 – via YouTube.