One of the two legal experts who left the Heritage Foundation shortly before Christmas has joined his fellow defectors at former Vice President Mike Pence’s policy shop — and the other has returned to Heritage.
Cully Stimson, who left his post Dec. 22 as deputy director of the Edwin Meese III Center, said Tuesday that he has come back to the embattled conservative think-tank, saying that “Heritage is my home.”
“I am proud to return to The Heritage Foundation, the most influential organization with the biggest impact advancing conservative policy and legal reform,” he said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, Hans von Spakovsky said he has moved to Advancing American Freedom’s newly launched Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law as a senior legal fellow, the same title he held at Heritage before resigning Dec. 22.
More than 20 board members, scholars and staffers have exited the foundation since Heritage President Kevin Roberts touched off an outcry with his Oct. 30 video defending Tucker Carlson, who had come under fire for hosting Hitler-friendly podcaster Nick Fuentes.
Mr. Stimson appears to be the first to rethink his resignation, which he framed as a “hasty decision.”
“In a turbulent time in 2025, when important issues were complicated by hasty decisions taken by many, including me, I resigned my position at Heritage. With time and reflection over the holidays, I see very clearly now: Heritage is my home,” he said. “I remain committed to the core principles and the principles that have made Heritage a leader in shaping law and policy.”
Mr. von Spakovsky specifically cited concerns about antisemitism in his Monday statement on taking his talents to the Pence think tank.
“My career has been dedicated to the vital work of election integrity, defending the Constitution and the rule of law, advocating for limited government, and protecting our fundamental rights as Americans,” said Mr. von Spakovsky.
“That includes eliminating discrimination in any form, particularly the scourge of anti-Semitism,” he said. “There is no place for such pernicious and invidious hatred in this nation. Advancing American Freedom is giving me the opportunity to continue that work and to ensure that this great nation, which welcomed my immigrant parents, remains a beacon of freedom and opportunity.”
Mr. von Spakovsky joins 13 former foundation hands, including the directors of the economic, legal and data teams, who jumped to AAF in a mass migration announced Dec. 22.
“Hans von Spakovsky needs no introduction,” said AAF President Tim Chapman. “Over the course of his career, Hans has established himself as the authority in the Conservative Movement on election integrity, civil rights, and the rule of law, among many other issues.”
Others cutting ties include members of the Heritage-led National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, which has since separated from the foundation; three board members, and prominent full-time and visiting scholars including Josh Blackman, Chris DeMuth, Stephen Moore and Adam Mossoff.
A former prosecutor, Mr. Stimson said his focus will be on “strengthening Heritage as a powerhouse for scholarship and strategy, driving progress on election integrity, criminal justice, regulatory reform, and constitutional governance.
“Heritage’s impact is unmatched, and I am honored to rejoin this mission and work alongside those dedicated to building an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish,” he said.
