By Marcela Rodrigues
Dallas Morning News
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
The University of Texas at Dallas alum is speaking about the election during a talk Wednesday morning.
A University of Texas at Dallas alum who contributed to Project 2025 is set to speak on campus Wednesday.
Derrick Morgan is executive vice president of The Heritage Foundation and a contributor to Project 2025 — the foundation’s blueprint for how the next president could reshape the U.S. government.
The 1999 graduate is scheduled to speak at an event titled “Unpacking the Election,” which is held by the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.
Some student groups are planning protests. On social media posts, two campus organizations — the Rainbow Guard and Young Democratic Socialists of America — shared a video inviting protesters to gather in front of the building where the event will take place to “show UTD that we do not tolerate fascism on our campus.”
“As one of the architects of Project 2025, Morgan’s far right agenda includes the criminalization of trans existence, the mass deportation of immigrants, dangerous environmental policy and more,” students wrote on social media.
Students’ posts noted the event is being held on the same day many commemorate “transgender day of remembrance,” an annual event that started in 1999 to mourn transgender people who were killed, according to LGBTQ advocacy nonprofit GLAAD.
“It’s despicable that UTD seeks to host a man who calls gender affirming care ‘child mutilation’ on a day for us to mourn our trans siblings lost to violence,” the students added.
In a statement to The Dallas Morning News, a spokesperson for UTD said Morgan will speak with students and is not being paid for his visit.
“We recognize that our community is diverse and holds varying viewpoints,” the statement read. “UT Dallas remains committed to fostering an environment that promotes civil discourse, and we encourage our students to respectfully engage with those who hold different perspectives.”
Morgan did not respond to a request for comment sent to the foundation.
A Texan, Morgan graduated from the university with a bachelor’s degree in government. In April, he received an award for distinguished alumni, “given to graduates who have achieved great renown in their careers.”
Morgan is cited in Project 2025 as part of the foundation’s leadership whodevoted significant time to reviewing, editing and providing expert advice on the project’s manuscript. Project 2025 was a critical point of debate during the presidential campaign.
President-elect Donald Trump distanced himself from Project 2025, but people who contributed to the document are former and soon-to-be members of his administration.
Morgan has worked in the three branches of the government, ranging from campaign aide to chief of staff. Most notably, Morgan served as assistant, special counsel and staff secretary for former Vice President Dick Cheney under former President George W. Bush.
Earlier in his career, Morgan was a clerk for Judge Sidney Fitzwater of the Northern District of Texas. He earned a law degree from Georgetown University and lives in Washington, D.C.
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| This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas. |
