washingtonthe heritage foundation lead conservative think tank gain influence republican-controlled washington fire leader jim demint tuesday source close situation say organization leadership determine veer far conservative principals close u.s. president donald trump white house scathing statement thomas a. saunders iii chairman heritage foundation board trustees go specifics disagreement cite problems internal communications management issue comprehensive independent review entire heritage organization board determine significant worsen management issue lead breakdown internal communications cooperation saunders say statement organization see many successes jim demint handful close advisers fail resolve problems two political operatives work organization say demint opponents argue grow close trump far conservative principles organization found ed feulner previously serve heritage president return role interim capacity replacement find accord statement heritage board demint former senator south carolina take organization 2013 retire public office since transform organization know research white paper political behemoth instance create arm organization devote entirely influence elections push lawmakers side group policy position demint transform organization unease grow within rank accord source trump elect dozen staffers heritage foundation political arm heritage action deploy volunteer help transition process heritage staffers work team deploy set trump government epa office management budget departments defense energy health human service state treasury additional seven volunteer transition team tie heritage either work work non-staff expert think tank conservative u.s. think tank heritage foundation fire leader