Do you want to join the next Conservative government? Answer a few questions first.

An influential conservative group is using a questionnaire to test the ideology of potential recruits for the next Republican presidential administration — and the questions reveal the extent to which former President Donald J. Trump transformed the conservative movement in his image.

The questionnaire from the group, the Heritage Foundation, includes questions that suggest it is screening candidates who want to embrace tariffs, reduce the U.S. military footprint abroad and remove executive branch officials who hinder the president’s agenda. The job application questionnaire was first reported by Axios.

Candidates are asked whether they agree or disagree with the statement that “the president should be able to advance his/her agenda through the bureaucracy without hindrance from unelected federal officials.”

Mr. Trump and his allies have pledged to “demolish the deep state” and increase presidential power over every part of the federal government that currently operates with some degree of independence from the White House’s political control.

Heritage, the most powerful think tank on the right, has staffed Republican administrations since the Reagan era and leads a $22 million presidential transition operation called on Project 2025 to develop policy and personnel for the next Conservative government.

As a nonprofit, Heritage cannot endorse political candidates, but its massive hiring project — a collaboration of more than 80 conservative groups — is driven by former senior Trump administration officials who remain close to the former president. Heritage’s work will most likely fall into the hands of whoever the Republican Party nominates as its presidential candidate next year.

Much of the Heritage Questionnaire is unremarkable. It questions candidates about their political philosophy and about private school vouchers and other standard Republican policies. But in subtle ways, the questionnaire shows the extent to which Trump’s “America First” ideology has influenced the Republican Party. These changes are most pronounced in the formulation of questions relating to foreign policy and trade.

Heritage used to promote American leadership around the world and an aggressive foreign policy, in line with the views of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

But under President Kevin Roberts, Heritage has argued in recent years that American taxpayer dollars could be better spent at home than supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian invasion. And in another departure from pre-Trump Republican orthodoxy, Heritage has expressed its openness cuts in the military budget.

Along those lines, the Heritage questionnaire asks potential recruits whether or not they agree that “the US should scale back its strong military presence abroad.”

Once a promoter of free trade – and still internally divided on the issue – Heritage is now asking recruits for the next Republican administration whether they agree that “the US should impose tariffs with the aim of bringing back manufacturing jobs , even if these rates result in higher rates. consumers prices.”

Heritage’s shift to an “America First” ideology has occurred rifts within the conservative movement and has caused tensions inside the organisation. Several foreign policy analysts left Heritage disillusioned with the changes taking place there.

In a statement to The New York Times, Heritage President Mr. Roberts said that “the radical left has taken over the political right when it comes to preparing men and women to serve in presidential administrations.”

“Project 2025,” he added, “is committed to recruiting and training a large group of patriotic Americans ready to serve their country on day one of the next administration.”