Conservatives mourn death of Heritage Foundation founder

The death of Ed Feulner, the co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, has sparked an outpouring of support from Republican lawmakers and leaders.

Feulner helped start the Heritage Foundation in 1973 and served as its president for nearly 40 years.

“In the passing of Dr. Ed Feulner, the conservative movement has lost one of its true giants, and I have lost a mentor and cherished friend,” former Vice President Mike Pence wrote on the social media platform X. “Ed simply understood that free markets, strong families and a robust national defense allow America to lead the world not just with strength, but by example.”

The foundation is most recently known for leading Project 2025, the blueprint that has widely influenced the Trump administration’s consolidation of power and aggressive pursuit of right-wing policies. 

Feulner also helped found the Republican Study Committee, the party’s conservative caucus.

“Ed Feulner was one of the architects who built the conservative movement in this country,” Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), the House majority leader and a former chair of the RSC, wrote on social media.

Established during the Nixon administration, the Heritage Foundation played a prominent role in the policies of former President Reagan, who called it a “vital force.” The think tank’s current alumni in government include White House budget chief Russ Vought and border czar Tom Homan.

In mourning Feulner, Republicans referred to him as an influential force who laid the groundwork in Washington for conservatism: a “giant of the conservative movement” by Sen. Mike Lee (Utah), a “lion for conservative causes” by Rep. Andy Biggs (Ariz.).

“His longtime leadership of @Heritage not only made it the intellectual engine of the Reagan Revolution, but forged a visionary philosophy that continues to shape our nation’s public policy,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) wrote.

“The America we have — and the America we can secure in the future — is attributable to Ed in more ways than most people know,” Kevin Roberts, the current president of the Heritage Foundation, wrote on social media.

“ONWARD, sir—count on it—ALWAYS,” he added, ending with an American flag.