The Steady State

America’s strength depends on democratic institutions, the rule of law, and leaders who put country above self. At The Steady State, more than 450 former national security and intelligence professionals are working to defend those principles. Our motto says it best: Hold Fast.

@jameswalkinshaw.bsky.social joins our host @breefram.bsky.social this week on The Steady State Sentinel to discuss what a new Congress can do. Listen here: youtu.be/qmQmGMuAVcs?...

Former Prosecutors and Human Rights Leaders Launch The Rule of Law Project ruleoflawproject.org/news/project...

When loyalty to one man outweighs honest advice, national security suffers. Henry VIII reshaped institutions to serve his ambitions. America’s institutions are different, but the danger remains: the damage can outlast the person who caused it. Read more from Kenneth Syring here: buff.ly/tuC996c

How do you turn a DOJ gig into a $50M deal and a presidential pardon? On this episode of The Steady State’s Daily Swamp, we break down Alina Habba’s massive payout from a Venezuelan banker's family and the cozy pardon that followed. Don't forget to like, share, and follow - see you tomorrow! 🐊

Kareem Shora has taken the oath to defend the Constitution six times throughout his life and career. For him, it represents the essence of America and the reason his parents brought him here as an immigrant. #TheOathProject @americanconstitutionsociety

The Pentagon’s proposal to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan has been canceled, for now. But it raises important questions about the purpose, consequences, and responsibilities of making an execution public.

When fear silences the public and leaders escape accountability, violence and corruption thrive. Weakening the watchdogs who expose wrongdoing threatens democracy at home and America’s credibility abroad. Read more from Ambassador Marc Ostfield here: buff.ly/vFjz5cb

Steady State members have been watching Russia for decades -- this is no surprise.... and appears to be welcomed by the Trump Administration #holdfast

Russia’s strategy goes beyond Ukraine. The goal, as one national security expert explains, is to crush Ukraine’s ability to resist and weaken the West. Ukraine is one front in a broader campaign to expand Russian power and influence.

Two candidates with the same name. One Senate seat. A lawsuit that could undermine trust in the election before votes are counted. The reported DOJ plan to challenge Alaska’s Senate results raises serious questions about election integrity and the use of federal power. Read here: buff.ly/FJSRLWg

A nation’s strength is measured by more than its symbols or military power. As the midterms approach, The Steady State examines why accountability, independent judgment, public trust, and the rule of law remain essential to democracy. Read more from The Weekly: buff.ly/nWNEagL

Apartheid was more than segregation. It shaped who belonged, who held power, and who had access to opportunity. Harry Hannah examines parallels between South Africa’s history and current U.S. immigration and civil rights policies. Read more here: buff.ly/D1FmMiV

Four years into Russia’s war against Ukraine, U.S. policies are increasingly favoring Moscow over Kyiv. Retired Special Forces officer Robert Bruce Adolph examines Trump’s alignment with Putin and what it means for Ukraine, American leadership, and democracy. Read here: buff.ly/S4xnqE1

Want US tariffs cut from 40% to 20%? Clear your farmland for a Trump golf course. On today's episode of the Steady State’s Daily Swamp, we expose how foreign policy was traded for private family real estate deals and licensing fees. Don't forget to like, share, and follow - see you tomorrow! 🐊

Corruption thrives when fear replaces accountability. As intimidation grows and oversight weakens, those in power face fewer consequences. Former Ambassador Marc Ostfield examines how political violence threatens the rule of law at home and America’s credibility abroad. Read here: buff.ly/vFjz5cb

Putin wins. Trump’s allies profit. Americans and Ukrainians pay the price. A proposed Lukoil deal could turn U.S. sanctions relief into a windfall for politically connected investors while funneling billions back to Russia. Read here from Jody Myers and Patrick Granfield: buff.ly/7hoRArA

Selling access to the presidency for meme coins? On this episode of The Steady State’s Daily Swamp, we break down Trump’s $TRUMP coin contest, where top holders buy dinners, VIP receptions, and political favors. Don't forget to like, share, and follow! 🐊

Principles mean little when they only appear under pressure. Bill Piekney examines what happens when leaders wait too long to speak up. Read his latest piece for The Steady State: steadystate1.substack.com/p/when-the-p...

We’ve already lost two Pentagon leaders in a year, which can easily cause dysfunction in the administration. To hear more, listen to the full episode of The Steady State Sentinel: youtu.be/DOPIE18L59U

A jar of Nutella explains the global economy. From Turkish hazelnuts to Malaysian palm oil, global supply chains connect us all. Tariffs and trade with Canada have real consequences for America’s economy and national security.

Nearly $1B in oil bets right before ceasefire announcements? On this episode of The Steady State’s Daily Swamp, we break down suspicious oil trades timed around U.S.–Iran ceasefires and how the CFTC investigation was abruptly derailed. Don't forget to like, share, and follow - see you tomorrow! 🐊

Facing an immediate existential threat, Ukraine has creatively adapted its defense that changes how wars are fought. To hear more, listen to the full episode of The Steady State Sentinel: youtu.be/DOPIE18L59U

Why stand with Ukraine when you can keep Putin happy? Fredonia’s latest diplomatic dispatch examines Trump’s growing tilt toward Russia, America’s shifting support for Ukraine, and the curious art of making U.S. foreign policy work in Moscow’s favor. Read SITREP 33: buff.ly/eKqbF3q

Ask an Intelligence Officer Over Coffee! Curious about the intelligence community? What questions have you always wanted answered? Drop them in the comments. Your question could be featured in an upcoming video!

What keeps Charles Ray awake at night? From ICE tactics to raids that raise concerns about intimidation, the former U.S. ambassador examines the troubling signals coming from the Trump administration and why they matter for American democracy. Read more here: buff.ly/2V3p5WW

Our oath is to the Constitution, so you should not follow orders that violate it. To hear more, listen to the full episode of The Steady State Sentinel: youtu.be/DOPIE18L59U

Robert De Niro has a message about voting rights and the Supreme Court: “No f**king way.” In a new video, he condemns threats to voting rights and urges Americans to vote early and protect their right to vote. Watch here: www.instagram.com/reel/DezUTiN...

Trump just gave the ultimate gift to financial criminals. On Episode 34 of The Steady State’s Daily Swamp, we expose how gutting FinCEN transparency rules opens the floodgates for cartels, kleptocrats, and illicit shell companies. Don't forget to like, share, and follow - see you tomorrow! 🐊

Who gets to verify that our elections are fair? In his latest article, Steady State member Bruce Berton draws on his experience leading the OSCE mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina to explain why independent election observers matter. Read his article: steadystate1.substack.com/p/if-our-ele...

Why stand with Ukraine when you can keep Putin happy? Fredonia’s latest diplomatic dispatch examines Trump’s growing tilt toward Russia, America’s shifting support for Ukraine, and the curious art of making U.S. foreign policy work in Moscow’s favor. Read SITREP 33: buff.ly/eKqbF3q

National security is about more than just military strength. Mark A. Fowler, former CIA Senior Operations Officer, explains why democracy and public trust are vital to America’s security. Read “Hold Fast: National Security Is Not Just War”: buff.ly/LW0e0MY

What does the future of warfare demand from America’s military? Retired Space Force Col. Bree Fram sits down with former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to discuss AI, military leadership, and national security. Watch the latest episode of The Steady State Sentinel: youtu.be/DOPIE18L59U?...

"The rule of law, undergirded by a tradition of free elections and the peaceful transfer of power, supports business decisions and attracts foreign companies to invest." Read more here: www.nytimes.com/2026/10/21/o...

Think Todd Blanche is bad? Wait until you meet Ken Paxton. On this episode of The Steady State’s Daily Swamp, we discuss Trump’s Senate pick partying in Dubai with indicted fugitives and taking $200K from an accused fraudster. Don't forget to like, share, and follow - see you tomorrow! 🐊

What gives us hope? Bruce Berton, a former U.S. ambassador and member of The Steady State, reflects on a tested optimism, the challenges facing the next generation, and why he still believes Americans can change course. Read his latest in our Civic Witness Series: buff.ly/QaGCMSJ

Trump’s business ties to Vietnam are raising questions about U.S. priorities. As Vietnamese pro-democracy advocates remain imprisoned, Washington has stayed silent while Trump’s family pursues lucrative deals with the communist-led country.

Sell out a nation, make a fortune. On this episode of The Steady State’s Daily Swamp, we expose Trump’s crew trading Ukraine diplomacy for a $20B Russian oil deal. Don't forget to like, share, and follow - see you tomorrow! 🐊

Who’s watching the guardrails when winning is everything? The latest Fredonia SITREP examines Trump’s approach to AI, the push for safety regulations, and the risks of letting technology race ahead without meaningful oversight. Read the latest SITREP from The Steady State: buff.ly/IG9pO2F

Ask an Intelligence Officer Over Coffee! What have you always wanted to know about the intelligence community? Now’s your chance to ask. Drop your questions in the comments below, and we may answer them in an upcoming video!

Your ballot is one decision. Understanding what’s at stake is another. Martha Duncan of The Steady State explains our Voters Guide Series, offering practical insights on the issues shaping our future. Read Hold Fast: Navigating the Ballot here: steadystate1.substack.com/t/hold-fast-...

The Steady State has asked the Office of Special Counsel to review whether U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach violated the Hatch Act in a Treasury Department TikTok video promoting Trump dollar coins and criticizing “liberal” coffee shop customers. Read more: steadystate1.substack.com/p/the-steady...

Nearly 200 American flags now conceal the names of 321 diplomats and Foreign Service personnel who died serving our country. Patriotism should mean honoring those who sacrificed for America, not hiding their names. Read the latest from The Steady State: steadystate1.substack.com/p/the-flags-...