The Consequences of the Action in Venezuela are unknown at this point. The purpose here is to look at several factors unique to the Trump Administration that likely went into the decision. In the coming days and weeks, we will learn a good deal more about the Trump administration’s reasoning, its expectations, and what follow-on […]
On January 2, the United States armed forces conducted a military operation which resulted in the seizure and detention of another country’s sitting president and his wife. The precise legal authority invoked for this operation remains unclear. What is apparent, however, is that the justification appears to rest on a familiar but troubling fusion: elements […]
Over the past several months, we have heard from many people who want to be involved in The Steady State’s work — to advocate, educate, and sound the alarm about the existential threat facing American democracy: the rise of authoritarianism led by Donald Trump, his associates, and his family. The Steady State’s core membership is, […]
The oath of allegiance taken by George Washington while encamped at Valley Forge, due to a Congressional Resolve of Feb. 3, 1778, that directed ‘every officer who holds or shall hereafter hold a commission or office from Congress’ to take such oath. (National Archives 12043370) In his first administration (2017-2021), Donald Trump vowed to ‘drain […]
Over the past year, a quiet but notable development has taken shape across social-media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky: the growing visibility of accounts styled as “Alt” versions of government agencies — Alt DOJ, Alt State, Alt EPA, and dozens of variations beyond. These accounts are often operated by former federal officials […]
Check out this teaser to our Steady Stage Sentinel Podcast coming January 6! #stillStandingWatch
ORIGINAL LETTER LINK December 30, 2025 The Honorable Andrew Garbarino Chair, Committee on Homeland Security United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Bennie Thompson Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Subject: DHS Handling of an Unfavorable Polygraph Involving the Acting CISA Director Dear […]
On September 25, 2025, the Trump administration issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7), “Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.” The memorandum explicitly identifies anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, anti-Christianity, extremism on migration, race, and gender, and hostility against those who hold so-called traditional American views on family, religion, and morality as indicators of domestic terrorism. Unlike […]
It is ever so difficult to watch the US sit on its hands while the heavily burdened Ukrainian President Zelensky turns himself inside out in repetitive fits of coerced reimagination to reach an agreement acceptable to the US on how the two shall approach Putin. This interminable stretch of US-driven futility is particularly hard to […]
Founded in 2016, The Steady State is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization of more than 360 former senior national security professionals. Our membership includes former officials from the CIA, FBI, Department of State, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Drawing on deep expertise across national security disciplines including intelligence, diplomacy, military affairs and law, […]