Filtering
Attack target: The Information Environment ×
Trait: Surveillance of ordinary citizens increases; elite crimes remain opaque ×
Clear all
☆ Save this search
Narrow these 33 — tap a value to filter:
Tier 1 carried by a primary record
Corroborated 2+ independent news desks
Every result is verified and democracy-related.
Open an event to see its evidence. Attack and trait tags link to their definitions
Jul 20, 2026 The Trump administration sought phone records of New York Times reporters and their relatives before later withdrawing the subpoenas Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
Seeking reporters' records threatened source protection and signaled coercive surveillance of watchdog journalism.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Admin Tried to Get Phone Records of NYT Reporters, Relatives — The Trump administration sought phone records of New York Times reporters and their relatives as part of subpoenas related to an investigation into the Times's reporting on security concerns about Trump's new Air Force
- Subpoenas Issued for Journalists' Phone Records — The Trump administration has issued subpoenas demanding the phone records of New York Times journalists and their relatives.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 79 – 2026-07-18–2026-07-24
wk79_IM_006
Jun 7, 2026 ICE stopped reporting to Congress and investigating deaths of detainees who died within 30 days of release Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
The policy narrowed accountability for harms linked to detention, weakening oversight of bodily safety for people held in federal custody.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- ICE abandons policy to report detainee deaths — ICE announced it would discontinue a policy requiring the agency to report to Congress and investigate the deaths of detainees who died within 30 days of their release.
- ICE narrows death-reporting policy — ICE has revised its death-reporting policy, now excluding deaths that occur within 30 days after a detainee's release from custody from public reporting requirements.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 73 – 2026-06-06–2026-06-12
wk73_CR_002
Apr 30, 2026 Congress extended Section 702 surveillance authority and the House later passed a longer reauthorization Tier 1 · Primary Economic Structure
The votes preserved and expanded a surveillance framework with limited warrant protections, showing how economic and security legislation can entrench state monitoring power.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Deadline for FISA Section 702 extension — April 30 marks the deadline for the temporary extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
- US Congress Passes Short-Term Renewal of FISA Warrantless Spying Powers — The US Congress has passed a 45-day extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) section 702, which allows US intelligence agencies to conduct warrantless surveillance.
- House Votes to Reauthorize FISA Section 702 — The U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 67 – 2026-04-25–2026-05-01
wk67_ES_023
Apr 22, 2026 The FBI opened and then dropped an investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson over her reporting on Kash Patel Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
Using federal investigative tools against a reporter threatened press freedom and signaled possible retaliation for scrutiny of powerful officials.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
NBC News · ABC7 Chicago · PBS
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FBI Investigation of NYT Reporter — The FBI initiated an investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson after she wrote an article about Kash Patel, focusing on his use of government resources for personal purposes.
- FBI Investigates NYT Reporter — The FBI launched an investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson following her article on Kash Patel's use of an agency SWAT team.
- FBI Investigates NYT Reporter Over Article on Director's Girlfriend — The FBI initiated an investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson following her article alleging that FBI Director Kash Patel used agency resources to provide security and transportation for his
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 66 – 2026-04-18–2026-04-24
wk66_IM_010
Apr 21, 2026 Congress passed a 10-day extension of Section 702 after longer extensions failed Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The short extension showed legislative deadlock over surveillance powers while keeping a major intelligence authority temporarily in force.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Congress passes a 10-day extension of Section 702 — Congress has passed a short-term 10-day extension of Section 702, a surveillance law that allows the government to collect communications.
- FISA Extension Fails in House — The House of Representatives attempted to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) but faced opposition from both parties regarding Section 702, which allows warrantless collection of foreign
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 66 – 2026-04-18–2026-04-24
wk66_IG_018
Apr 21, 2026 Plaintiffs and courts advanced additional lawsuits over election administration, FOIA, immigration records, and agency actions Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
These cases kept judicial review active across elections, transparency, and immigration, preserving institutional checks on executive and agency conduct.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Case update — State of California v. Trump (D. Mass.) 1:26-cv-11581 — State Attorneys General filed a motion for leave to intervene as Defendants and a memorandum in support of their motion.
- Complaint filed — Common Cause v. U.S. Department of Justice — On April 21, 2026, Common Cause, the Common Cause Education Fund, and four individual registered voters filed a complaint against the U.S.
- Complaint filed — Oversight v. Prevention et al (D.D.C.) 1:26-cv-01351 — On April 21, 2026, American Oversight filed a complaint in the U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 66 – 2026-04-18–2026-04-24
wk66_IG_026
Apr 17, 2026 Congress passed a 10-day extension of FISA Section 702 Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The short extension preserved a major surveillance authority while postponing a deeper legislative fight over privacy safeguards.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US Congress Passes 10-Day Extension of Surveillance Law — On April 17, 2026, both chambers of the US Congress passed a 10-day extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) section 702, a controversial warrantless surveillance law.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
wk65_IG_030
Mar 26, 2026 The EPA modified its acquisition-system records notice to allow disclosures to the Treasury Department for fraud and payment recovery work Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The change expanded how government procurement records could be shared across agencies, affecting privacy and information control.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- EPA Modifies System of Records for Acquisition System — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a modification to its Acquisition System (EAS) records under the Privacy Act of 1974.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 62 – 2026-03-21–2026-03-27
wk62_IM_009
Feb 16, 2026 The Department of Homeland Security subpoenaed tech companies for identifying data on social-media accounts critical of ICE Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The subpoenas threatened anonymous political speech and expanded state monitoring of online dissent without judicial warrants.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DHS Subpoenas Tech Companies for Data on ICE Critics — The Department of Homeland Security issued hundreds of administrative subpoenas to tech companies like Google and Meta, seeking identifying data for social media accounts critical of ICE.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 57 – 2026-02-14–2026-02-20
wk57_IM_005
Jan 28, 2026 Federal immigration officers expanded surveillance tools to monitor anti-ICE protest networks Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The use of biometric trackers, drones, and related tools threatened privacy and chilled political organizing.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- ICE Surveillance Expansion — Federal immigration officers have been equipped with advanced surveillance technologies, including biometric trackers and drones, following a bill that increased ICE's funding.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 54 – 2026-01-24–2026-01-30
wk54_IM_006
Jan 21, 2026 A Justice Department court filing revealed that DOGE had improperly accessed and shared Social Security data Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The filing exposed a breakdown in institutional safeguards around sensitive data and suggested political misuse inside government.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
The Washington Post · PBS · Axios · NPR
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DoJ Court Filing Reveals Improper Data Sharing by Doge — A recent Department of Justice court filing has revealed that the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), under Elon Musk's cost-cutting operation, improperly accessed and shared sensitive social security data.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 53 – 2026-01-17–2026-01-23
wk53_IG_031
Jan 8, 2026 The FBI took full control of the Renee Good shooting investigation and excluded Minnesota investigators Corroborated Institutions and Governance
Federal control over the case narrowed outside scrutiny and raised doubts about the independence of the investigative process.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FBI takes over investigation of ICE agent shooting — The FBI has assumed full control of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, revoking the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's (BCA) access to case materials
- Minnesota BCA Withdraws from ICE Shooting Investigation — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) announced its withdrawal from the investigation into the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
- FBI takes over investigation of ICE shooting in Minneapolis — The FBI has taken full control of the investigation into the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, excluding state investigators from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 51 – 2026-01-03–2026-01-09
wk51_IG_036
Jan 6, 2026 The Department of Justice revealed in court filings that it had released less than 1% of the Epstein files Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The disclosure showed continued noncompliance with a transparency law and deepened concerns about executive resistance to mandated disclosure.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DOJ Releases Less Than 1% of Epstein Files — A court filing has revealed that the U.S.
- Trump Administration Fails to Release Epstein Files — The Trump administration did not comply with a congressional requirement to release the Epstein files, having released less than 1% of the documents by the deadline, which was more than two weeks past due.
- DOJ Delays Release of Epstein Files — The Department of Justice has disclosed that it is still reviewing millions of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, with less than 1% released so far.
Traits
Chaos is used as a strategy to fragment focus and disable accountabilityInvestigations into corruption are blocked, buried, or retaliated againstLaw is a weapon of the state, not a limit on its powerSurveillance of ordinary citizens increases; elite crimes remain opaqueTransparency laws are weakened or unenforced
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 51 – 2026-01-03–2026-01-09
wk51_IG_018
Dec 7, 2025 Democratic lawmakers pressed the Pentagon to release video of a disputed Caribbean strike Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The demand sought evidence needed for legislative oversight of military force and executive truthfulness about civilian deaths.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Democrats urge Pentagon to release video of strike on alleged drug boat — On December 7, 2025, Democrats in the U.S.
- Senator Kelly Discusses Subpoena for Military Strike Video — Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) announced that he has spoken with the chairs of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees about potentially using a subpoena to obtain the video of the September 2 military strike.
- Representative Himes Calls for Release of Military Strike Video — Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) emphasized the importance of making public a video of a U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 47 – 2025-12-06–2025-12-12
wk47_IG_005
Oct 3, 2025 President Trump authorized investigations into activists and nonprofits tied to alleged domestic terrorism Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The memorandum threatened speech and association by framing political activism as a basis for broad state scrutiny.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Authorization of Investigations into Activists and Non-Profits — President Trump has signed a memorandum authorizing government-wide investigations into activists and non-profits associated with "domestic terrorism," specifically targeting groups like "antifa." This move is seen by
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 37 – 2025-09-27–2025-10-03
wk37_IM_014
Aug 23, 2025 Attorney General Pam Bondi opened criminal investigations into Adam Schiff, Letitia James, and Lisa Cook Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
The investigations targeted prominent critics and rivals, raising concerns that law enforcement was being used to burden opposition figures.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Criminal investigations launched against political opponents — Attorney General Pam Bondi initiated criminal investigations into Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage fraud.
- Trump Administration's Use of Mortgage Data for Political Purposes — The Trump administration, through the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is using mortgage data to investigate political opponents.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 32 – 2025-08-23–2025-08-29
wk32_CR_002
Jul 24, 2025 The DOJ withheld roughly 100,000 pages of Epstein files from public release Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The refusal limited public access to records in a case with major accountability implications for powerful people.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DOJ Possesses 100,000 Pages of Epstein Files — The New York Times reported that the DOJ holds 100,000 pages of Epstein files that it is refusing to release to the public, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 27 – 2025-07-19–2025-07-25
wk27_IM_017
Jul 20, 2025 ICE and DHS used masked raids, Medicaid data, and disputed deportation practices in immigration enforcement Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
These actions expanded opaque enforcement tools and raised concerns about privacy, due process, and abuse of vulnerable people.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- ICE allegedly deported Pennsylvania grandfather to Guatemala — Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S.
- ICE Chief Continues Mask Policy for Agents During Arrest Raids — ICE has confirmed the use of Medicaid data to track undocumented immigrants in the U.S., despite these individuals being ineligible for Medicaid.
- ICE Uses Medicaid Data to Track Undocumented Immigrants — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services signed an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to the personal records of nearly 80 million
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 27 – 2025-07-19–2025-07-25
wk27_CR_005
Jun 13, 2025 The Trump administration transferred Medicaid enrollee data to the Department of Homeland Security Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
Sharing sensitive benefit records for immigration enforcement blurred welfare administration and surveillance, threatening privacy and trust in public systems.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Transfers Medicaid Data to DHS — The Trump administration transferred personal data, including immigration status, of millions of Medicaid enrollees to the Department of Homeland Security.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 21 – 2025-06-07–2025-06-13
wk21_IM_022
Jun 12, 2025 Customs and Border Protection deployed Predator drones over Los Angeles protests and released footage Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The drone use expanded surveillance of protest spaces and risked chilling assembly through visible aerial monitoring.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US Immigration Agency Deploys Surveillance Drones Over LA Protests — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed the deployment of MQ-9 Predator drones over Los Angeles protests.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 21 – 2025-06-07–2025-06-13
wk21_IM_023
Jun 7, 2025 The Trump administration expanded immigration raids and surveillance in New York City and other communities Corroborated Civil Rights and Dissent
The expansion increased fear, monitoring, and enforcement pressure on immigrants, affecting bodily security and daily freedom.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Ramps Up Deportations and Surveillance of Immigrants — The Trump administration has intensified deportation efforts and increased surveillance of immigrants in New York City.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 21 – 2025-06-07–2025-06-13
wk21_CR_001
Apr 29, 2025 The U.S. Postal Inspection Service began helping ICE locate suspected undocumented immigrants using mail data Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
Using postal surveillance tools for immigration enforcement expanded state monitoring in ways that threaten privacy and immigrant security.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- USPS Cooperates with ICE to Locate Undocumented Immigrants — The Washington Post reported that the US Postal Inspection Service has started cooperating with ICE to locate suspected undocumented immigrants using photographs of envelopes, mail tracking, and other data.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 15 – 2025-04-26–2025-05-02
wk15_CR_018
Apr 24, 2025 The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission texted Barnard College employees a survey asking whether they were Jewish or Israeli and whether they had faced harassment. Tier 1 · Primary Civil Rights and Dissent
The outreach raised concerns about privacy and religious identity collection by a federal agency in a politically charged campus investigation.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- EEOC Texts Barnard College Employees About Jewish Identity — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sent text messages to employees of Barnard College, linking to a survey asking if they are Jewish or Israeli and if they have experienced harassment or antisemitism.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 14 – 2025-04-19–2025-04-25
wk14_CR_013
Apr 24, 2025 President Trump and his allies used DOGE savings claims and rebate talk in political messaging despite disputed underlying numbers. Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The messaging turned contested budget claims into campaign persuasion, blurring public administration with misleading political marketing.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Misleading Use of DOGE Budget Cuts in Political Fundraising — The Trump campaign is leveraging the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) claimed budget cuts as a political fundraising tool, suggesting in emails that Americans might receive $5,000 DOGE rebate checks.
- Discrepancy in DOGE's Reported Spending Cuts — The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) updated its website on April 20, 2025, to claim $160 billion in spending cuts, an increase from the previously stated $155 billion.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 14 – 2025-04-19–2025-04-25
wk14_IM_007
Apr 24, 2025 Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. planned a large autism study using broad health-record monitoring and proposed cuts to disability services while halting some autism research. Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The plans combined expanded state access to sensitive health data with reduced support services, increasing executive control over vulnerable populations' information and care.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Health Secretary plans expansive monitoring of autistic individuals' health records — Health Secretary Robert F.
- Secretary of Health and Human Services proposes cuts to disability services — Robert F.
- Trump administration halts key autism research — The Trump administration has halted key research on autism by banning research and services related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 14 – 2025-04-19–2025-04-25
wk14_PA_021