The Cascade
The Steady State follows America’s cascade to authoritarianism. Reversing it begins with restoring what authoritarianism erodes: truth, expertise, due process, institutional independence, historical memory, public trust, and the active citizenship that makes democracy possible.
What we have witnessed: The leader demands loyalty and independent expertise becomes disloyalty; institutions become targets; history becomes malleable; dissent becomes betrayal; process becomes an obstacle; allies become enemies and citizens lose trust.
What that looks like: The normal mechanisms that correct governmental mistakes began to disappear; The intelligence professional who says that’s not what the evidence shows became expendable; the civil servant who says “no” became an enemy, the journalist who reports uncomfortable facts became a target, the judge who rules against the government became “corrupt;” the historical figure who doesn’t fit the preferred narrative became displaced, the ally who refuses to submit became an adversary. And citizens who question any of this can now be told that the institutions themselves—not the people attacking them—are the problem.
The way forward: Reinstitute critical thinking, institutional professionalism and independent expertise, listening, transparency, evidence and responsiveness; accurate historical documentation, respect for Due Process and, ultimately, engaged citizenship.
ESSENTIALS
QUOTED by RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty
“Ratcliffe’s Moscow Warning: What We Know A Week Later, According To Ex-CIA Officers”
“Steven Cash, executive director of the Steady State and a former CIA and Department of Homeland Security intelligence officer, said using the CIA to communicate with adversaries can be appropriate when sensitive issues require a discreet channel and conventional diplomacy is inadequate. But he questioned whether Ratcliffe was carrying a coherent US policy message to Moscow.”
TRENDING on Instagram
Steven Cash: “Covert Action is not supposed to be used against us. HOLD FAST”
THE MISSION
The Steady State continues its nationwide endorsement effort to help ensure Congress is filled with leaders who will protect the Constitution and defend the rule of law. And we file criminal referrals—in this case, an appeal of a criminal referral— to push back corruption and this administration’s lack of respect for that rule of law.
#HOLDFAST
Founded in 2016, The Steady State is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization of more than 400 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.
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