Analysis by The Steady State
Our analyses are authored by members of The Steady State, all of whom previously served as officers within the U.S. Intelligence Community. Each contributor brings professional experience in intelligence analysis, national security assessment, and strategic evaluation.
We apply established U.S. Intelligence Community analytic tradecraft to examine conditions inside the United States—using the same disciplined methods, standards, and rigor that guide intelligence assessments worldwide.
Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline A Periodic Update
/in Analysis, SubstackPDF VERSION AVAILABLE HERE We assess that the main driver of increasing authoritarianism in America remains executive overreach, compounded by a renewed presidential focus on securing a legacy through any means, but especially through President Trump’s pursuit of vanity projects—including not only his war in Iran but various events linked to America’s 250th birthday. Trump […]
Democracy SITREP – Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline – A Periodic Update
/in Analysis, SubstackPDF AVAILABLE HERE We assess with high confidence that the cumulative effect of the Trump Administration’s ongoing actions indicates that democratic backsliding continues. While some institutional resistance exists and may be growing, the trajectory poses both immediate and long-term risks to constitutional order and national security. The period from October 1, 2025—January 18, 2026 saw […]
Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics
/in Analysis, Press, UncategorizedView the most recent update here. PDF VERSION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 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,[1] applies the analytic tradecraft of the U.S. Intelligence Community to conditions inside the United States. It concludes—with […]