Protecting Intelligence From Politics

The Hayden Center at the Schar School of Policy and Government is a premier destination for thought leadership on intelligence and national security—where experts, scholars, and practitioners come together to illuminate the vital intersection of intelligence and American policy.

“This is a very important and vital conversation to have…Senator Mark Warner, the Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee took to the floor of the Senate [on September 18 2025] to address his colleagues on his grave concerns about the Intelligence Community, specifically regarding mismanagement, politicization and interference with oversight—and the increased risk that this brings to every American.”

—Larry Pfeiffer, Director of the Hayden Center

Founded in 2016, The Steady State is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization of more than 300 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, we advocate for constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the preservation of America’s national security institutions.