The Steady State is a group of veterans of the U.S. National Security Community who believe that President Trump, unfit for the Presidency, presents a clear and present danger to America’s safety and security. The Steady State, including Intelligence Officers, defense policy makers, diplomats and Congressional staffers, have served the country during Democratic and Republican administrations. Some have been lifelong Democrats; others, Republicans; some are resolutely independent.
Recently, a group of such veterans, numbering more than 220, wrote an open letter endorsing Vice President Joe Biden for President of the United States.
Since then, many of the letter’s signatories joined together to form “The Steady State,” and will work to reestablish a bipartisan foreign and security policy that promotes the national interest, advances national security, and rebuilds U.S. credibility with our allies. To do this, The Steady State will support Vice President Biden’s campaign and will help increase awareness and educate Americans about the vital issues of national security now at stake. Steady State members have, during their long careers, dedicated themselves in various capacities to protecting this country from external threats. They now return to that same service, with sadness and resolve, on a new mission – to help America protect itself from threats from within.
- The Steady State, drawn from all points of the political and policy spectrum, does not advocate for any specific policy, except one which returns to basic tenets:
- The National Security Community should inform and advise the President with timely and relevant intelligence and policy advice and options to ensure the safety and security of the nation, without fear or favor, and without consideration of domestic electoral advantage;
- The National Security Community should be loyal first and foremost to the Constitution and to the Rule of Law, and not to the personal ambitions of any person or party;
- The National Security Community should rely on expertise, experience and competence in carrying out its duties, and should demand and embrace unbiased information, expertise, and analysis as fundamental to its mission; and
- The National Security Community should recognize and support America’s role as an international leader, an honest and steadfast ally, and a resolute adversary to nations and actors who endanger the nation and our democratic values.
To this end, the Steady State will:
- Write and speak on issues where our experience and expertise can inform Americans as they make critical decisions in our elections;
- Will make ourselves available to journalists seeking informed and detailed information, from experts, about the national security issues facing this nation, our allies, and the world; and
- Will stand ready to assist like-minded individuals and organizations to protect the national security interests of the United States.
Key Facts About the Steady State
Who? Veterans of the National Security community.
- More than 25 former Ambassadors
- More than 20 former Senior Intelligence Service officials
- More than 45 former Senior Executive Service officials
- Former Senior Congressional Staffers
- Former National Security Council Staff
- Academics studying national security
What do they know about?
- Counterterrorism
- Counterproliferation and arms control
- Covert Action
- Defense Policy
- Economic Policy
- Foreign Policy & Diplomacy
- Foreign Aid & Assistance
- Foreign Election Interference
- Human Rights & Democracy
- Intelligence, Counterintelligence, Espionage and Counterespionage
- National Security and Biological Warfare/Pandemic
- National Security and Intelligence Oversight
- National Security Inter-Agency function
- National Security Law
- National Security/Law Enforcement intersection
- Oversight
- Role of Congress
- Science & Technology
- Transportation Security
- Whistleblower & Government Ethics
What will they do?
- Interviews with Journalists
- Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor
- Print, Television and Social Media platforms
- Speaking to groups
- Serve on Panels
How can you find out about the Steady State?