Heritage Foundation fires key staffers and loses top scholars to Mike Pence’s group amid explosive internal revolt, raising alarms about fractures in the conservative movement vital to President Trump’s agenda.
Staff Firings Spark Exodus
Heritage Foundation Chief Advancement Officer Andy Olivastro announced on Monday that deputy director Jessica Reinsch and vice president John Malcolm were fired Friday for conduct inconsistent with the think tank’s mission. Olivastro cited breach of fiduciary duty and intellectual property removal as reasons for immediate action. Departing staff aligned closely with the fired pair. Their exits pave the way for a stronger team focused on core priorities. Sources point to media leaks tied to the Tucker Carlson controversy as a key factor.
Here are the latest developments in the Heritage Foundation’s implosion.
Three entire units of Heritage — the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies, and the Center for Data Analysis — are departing the think tank…
— John Hood (@JohnHoodNC) December 22, 2025
Pence’s Group Gains Top Talent
Advancing American Freedom, led by former Vice President Mike Pence, hired John Malcolm, economist Richard Stern, and data analyst Kevin Dayaratna from Heritage. AAF secured at least $13 million in donations to fund these hires. Malcolm leads the shift of Heritage’s esteemed Meese Center—named for ex-Attorney General Edwin Meese—to AAF, rebranding it the Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law. Roughly a dozen more departures are expected soon, per sources and Wall Street Journal reporting.
There has been speculation that @Heritage is distancing itself from @TuckerCarlson over the past 24 hours.
I want to put that to rest right now—here are my thoughts: pic.twitter.com/F8bcxBIqKI
— Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) October 30, 2025
Backlash Over Carlson Defense
Heritage President Kevin Roberts drew fire for defending Tucker Carlson after his October 27 interview with Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist. Roberts’ October 30 video statement decried conservatives “canceling our own people,” calling critics a “venomous coalition.” He later apologized for word choice but stood by not canceling Carlson, clarifying no full endorsement. The statement remains on X. Internal critics and board members resigned, faulting Roberts for failing to condemn antisemitism and drifting from founding principles.
Board Resignations and Brain Drain
At least three Heritage board members resigned over the weekend, including Princeton professor Robert P. George. Josh Blackman, ex-senior editor of the Heritage Guide to the Constitution, quit via a letter published in Reason magazine. Blackman called Roberts’ stance a “huge unforced blunder” aiding antisemitism on the right, weakening the Meese Center’s rule-of-law mission. He warned of a “brain drain” as a decade of expertise vanished overnight to Pence’s group, eroding conservative intellectual firepower.
Word on the street is that some of the staffers leaving the Heritage Foundation are heading to Mike Pence’s organization.
Congrats to @Heritage! The clowns are leaving their organization.
These departures will also open jobs up for patriots who believe in America First! https://t.co/deHV3QfwFT
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) December 22, 2025
Conservative Leaders Weigh In
Sen. Ted Cruz labeled silence on Fuentes’ Hitler praise and anti-Jewish rhetoric as complicity in evil at a Republican Jewish Coalition event. Ben Shapiro blasted Carlson in a Heritage speech before unaware Roberts. VP JD Vance countered at TPUSA America Fest, opposing conservative de-platforming lists amid bigger fights. Olivastro affirmed Heritage’s surge: donor growth up 35-57%, high demand for roles. The rift signals deeper 2028 primary tensions, demanding unity behind President Trump’s victories over leftist overreach.
Sources:
Heritage Foundation in revolt over Tucker Carlson defense after controversial Nick Fuentes interview
Top Heritage Officials Flee to Mike Pence’s Nonprofit as Think Tank Fractures