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, […]
In Episode 4, former Congressmember Adam Kinzinger shares the human toll of standing up to the cult of Donald Trump and putting country before party. Speaking with co-hosts and former CIA experts Jim Lawler and John Sipher, Kinzinger bares all about what 10 years of Donald Trump has done to America’s soul. (recorded 12-15-2025). Powered […]
As the fourth anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the Russian strongman has been suffering the consequences of his classic intelligence failure. Instead of his anticipated cakewalk, Putin has been bogged down in a bloody war of attrition — an estimated 1.1 million Russian casualties, plus another […]
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, […]
The latest National Security Strategy (NSS) highlighted the direct threat the Trump administration poses to Europe. This threat extends beyond seizing Greenland and affects a broader array of issues and groups, including various non-government organizations. As a driving policy goal, the administration seeks to internationalize its authoritarian MAGA vision to undermine democracy, rule of law, […]
In 1972, the late folk singer-songwriter and Chicago native Steve Goodman recorded Lincoln Park Pirates about a notorious car-towing service in Chicago, often accused of breaking the law. In the song, the owner is not satisfied with dragging away automobiles but also wants to tow the boats in the city’s marinas and planes on local […]
What happens when the rules stop protecting those who follow them? In the latest episode of The Steady State Sentinel podcast, Immigration attorney Amy Peck and former FBI executive Lauren Anderson examine how unpredictable enforcement erodes trust, legitimacy, and the rule of law—and why the consequences extend far beyond immigration. Listen here or subscribe on […]
PHOTO CREDIT: US President Donald Trump posted this photo of Nicolas Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Truth Social. Having removed Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela through military force, the United States is now the decisive external actor shaping Venezuela’s near-term political and economic trajectory. Much attention will focus on the legality of […]
An often-asked question since January 21, 2025, “Is America really in danger of slipping into authoritarianism?” On July 4, 2025, I wrote an essay outlining indicators of the slide toward an autocratic government, which was expanded upon in an August 8 essay. In October, it felt to me as if the authoritarianism we fear was […]
As the administration threatens criminal indictment of Federal Reserve Chairman Powell, here is a replay for those who might have this, originally published on The Steady State Substack, August 3, 2025. When President Donald Trump suggested he might fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over disagreements about interest rate policy, it wasn’t just a breach […]