“(T)he Secretary’s actions created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots.” As a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in charge of Security and Information Operations, I can attest to the fact that in our nation’s history, never has a more damning […]
DATE-TIME GROUP: 071800ZDECEMBER25 FROM: EMBASSY OF FREDONIA, WASHINGTON, D.C. TO: MFA NAGADOCHES CLASSIFICATION: CONEOFSILENCE // FREDONIAN EYES ONLY SUBJECT: SITREP 020 “THE FREDONIA PROJECT” – OBSERVATIONAL DISPATCHES FROM AMERICA IN CRISIS 1-07 DECEMBER 2025 SUMMARY: IN ACCORDANCE WITH MFA DIRECTIVE 1826-APRIL-1, THIS EMBASSY HAS INITIATED A REGULAR SERIES OF ANALYTICAL DISPATCHES REGARDING THE INTERNAL DYNAMICS […]
Having led seminars on strategy at the National War College, I would have failed any student who produced President Trump’s new National Security Strategy. It is unworthy of a democracy, particularly one that has so successfully allied with other democratic states to bolster collective security and advance shared interests. Until Trump, America’s security strategy has […]
“The [NSS] unexpectedly echoes what we have been saying for over a year: security must be shared and sovereignty respected.” Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy (NSS) dropped on December 4, 2025. The NSS is mandated by the Goldwater-Nichols Act (1986) that requires each administration to produce a […]
“Spies Like Us” Neil and Phil, are joined by former FBI agent (and member of The Steady State) to talk about “what the heck is happening at the FBI.” 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 […]
You are invited to listen to the following “Quick Hit” Open Press Conference held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. HERE IS THE LINK The press conference focused on the recently published Trump National Security Strategy. The press conference was hosted by Steven Cash, the Executive Director of The Steady State, with the participation of: Gail […]
ORIGINAL LETTER PDF HERE Washington, DC 20510 Subject: Nomination of Ms. Lindsey Halligan for United States Attorney Dear Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Durbin: I write on behalf of The Steady State– former senior national security officials from Democratic and Republican administrations – because the potential nomination of Ms. Lindsey Halligan to serve as United […]
On December 4, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memorandum to the FBI implementing President Trump’s September 2025 directive on Domestic Terrorism (NSPM-7) that has been described as “a declaration of war on just about anyone who isn’t MAGA”.) Bondi’s memo breaks sharply with more than forty years of accepted practice, in which investigations […]
You are invited to Save The Date—January 6, 2026–and join us for the inaugural episode of The Steady State Sentinel! More To Come… 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, […]
Rob Reiner (March 6, 1947 – December 14, 2025) Early this morning, former President Donald Trump issued a public statement concerning the reported brutal murder of filmmaker Rob Reiner. The statement was explicit, detailed, and unambiguous. Trump wrote: “Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed […]