The Steady State

Protecting Our Democracy. Preserving the Rule of Law. Securing Our Future.

The 450+ members of the Steady State are former national security and intelligence officials who remain committed to their oaths to “defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

They promote democracy, rule of law, the Constitution and the institutions that support these pillars.

Key Pieces

Analysis
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Accelerating Authoritarianism: A Warning Assessment Through the 2026 Midterm Elections

We assess that the deterioration of US democratic governance has accelerated since our last assessment in June. The defining change of the summer is one of kind, not degree: the administration has moved from retribution against individuals and institutions to intervention in the machinery of the November 3 midterm elections. The period from election day to the seating of the new Congress on January 3, 2027, is probably the window of greatest risk to constitutional order prior to the 2028 election.

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Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline

This assessment, Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline, authored by members of The Steady State, all of whom are former U.S. Intelligence Community officers with analytic responsibilities, applies the analytic tradecraft of the U.S. Intelligence Community to conditions inside the United States. It concludes—with moderate to high confidence—that the cumulative effect of multiple reinforcing dynamics is placing the nation on a trajectory toward competitive authoritarianism: a system in which elections, courts, and other democratic institutions persist in form but are systematically manipulated to entrench executive control.

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The Latest

Advocacy

Advocacy
Request for Review of Freedom 250’s Advertising Arrangement with TrumpMedia & Technology Group and Federal Award Compliance

The Steady State is an organization of more than 450 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law enforcement, and homeland security officials. We ask the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General to review whether federal award funds administered by the National Park Foundation (NPF) and its subsidiary, Freedom 250 LLC, have been used, or are to be used, for advertising services provided by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). We also ask whether that arrangement complied with the conflict-of-interest and procurement requirements that apply to recipients and subrecipients of federal awards. We also ask the Attorney General to review whether these facts warrant inquiry under any applicable federal criminal statute, and to coordinate with the Inspector General as appropriate.

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Analysis

Analysis
39b86ea5-b67b-4778-9a11-edcb9126230d_640x432.webp
Accelerating Authoritarianism: A Warning Assessment Through the 2026 Midterm Elections

We assess that the deterioration of US democratic governance has accelerated since our last assessment in June. The defining change of the summer is one of kind, not degree: the administration has moved from retribution against individuals and institutions to intervention in the machinery of the November 3 midterm elections. The period from election day to the seating of the new Congress on January 3, 2027, is probably the window of greatest risk to constitutional order prior to the 2028 election.

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Fredonia Cables

Fredonia Cables
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FREDONIA PROJECT: SITREP 34 - THE U.S. 2026 MIDTERMS - VOTERS TAKE BACK THEIR GOVERNMENT

As of mid-October 2026, U.S. President Donald J. Trump is taking (or avoiding ) actions that seem to signal his determination to ally more closely with Russia on a range of international issues. Mr. Trump’s choice to ally with Putin in this case seems to portend the President’s decision to more completely and rapidly abandon U.S. military assistance to Ukraine as it battles with Russia. (Ambassador Comment: It has been clear since Trump traveled down the golden escalator in Trump Tower, that he holds Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other “leaders” of that ilk in high esteem. It has been equally evident that Trump is not interested in historically respected leaders like Ghandi, Roosevelt, or Churchill, but emulates such people as Louis XIV, Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, Viktor Yanukovich, and Robert Mugabe in leadership “style,” right down to the gold paint covering anything and everything that stands still for long enough.)

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Insights

Insights
Who Watches the Watchers?
Martha Duncan
Who Watches the Watchers?
Martha Duncan

ICE’s proposed $100 million intelligence expansion needs clear limits and serious oversight.

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Martha Duncan

Press Room

Press Releases

Press Releases
The Steady State Asks Justice Department and Interior Inspector General to Examine Payments From Taxpayer-Funded 250th Anniversary Group to Trump’s Media Company

The Steady State, an organization of more than 450 former national security officials, today asked the Attorney General and the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General to examine an advertising deal between Freedom 250, the group running America’s 250th-anniversary events, and Trump Media & Technology Group, the company that owns Truth Social.

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Endorsements

Endorsements
Brian Bengs (SD)
Brian Bengs (SD)

Brian Bengs is running as an Independent for the U.S. Senate in South Dakota after a career spanning military service, law, national security, and education. Bengs served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his military career, he served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, military prosecutor, and legal adviser, including assignments as Staff Judge Advocate and Operational Law Instructor at the NATO School in Germany and Assistant Professor of Law at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After retiring from military service, he taught at Northern State University and worked as a National Park Service ranger. His background combines military legal expertise, international operational law, federal ethics, constitutional accountability, and national-security experience.

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In the News

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In the News -

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Join Executive Director of The Steady State, Steven Cash, live today with Nick Valencia at 5:15 p.m. for election commentary that you do not want to miss! Tune in at https://x.com/nickvalencianew #holdfast #vote