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Trait: Chaos is used as a strategy to fragment focus and disable accountability ×
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Attack target 44
Rule of Law 40Separation of Powers 38Public Service 26The Civil Service 26Truth 18Immigrants & Refugees 14The Constitution 12Public Health 11Global Democracy 10Minorities 10The Economy 10The Presidency 10Diplomacy 9The Justice Department 9The Military 9Trade 9Workers 9Low-Income Americans 8Education 7The Information Environment 7Peace 6Elections 5Science 4The Environment 4The Intelligence Community 4Congress 3Disabled People 3Peaceful Transfer of Power 3The Press 3The Sick & Vulnerable 3Anti-Corruption Safeguards 2Children 2Transparency 2Veterans 2Voting Rights 2Birthright Citizenship 1Climate Cooperation 1Dissent & Protest 1LGBTQ People 1Privacy 1Public Memory 1Public Norms & Decency 1The Courts 1The Idea of America 1
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 16, 2026 President Trump announced the declassification and release of election-security intelligence documents Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The release used presidential control over intelligence to shape election narratives and press for new investigations into past officials.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Announces Declassification of Election Security Documents — Former President Donald Trump announced the immediate declassification and release of intelligence documents purportedly revealing vulnerabilities in the U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 78 – 2026-07-11–2026-07-17
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Jul 14, 2026 President Trump announced the reinstatement of an Iranian blockade and a U.S. security-fee role in the Strait of Hormuz Corroborated Power and Authority
The announcement asserted sweeping wartime and trade authority with limited visible congressional buy-in, raising separation-of-powers concerns.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reports
- Trump announces reinstatement of Iranian blockade — On July 13, 2026, President Trump announced via social media that the U.S.
- Trump announces blockade on Iran — President Trump announced the reimposition of a blockade on Iran, declaring the U.S.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 78 – 2026-07-11–2026-07-17
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Jul 13, 2026 President Trump announced and then quickly reversed a cargo-fee plan for the Strait of Hormuz Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The abrupt announcement and reversal showed volatile executive decision-making on war-adjacent trade powers with major diplomatic and economic stakes.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Declares US Control Over Strait of Hormuz — Former President Donald Trump announced that the United States will take control of the Strait of Hormuz and impose a 20% cargo fee on vessels passing through.
- Trump Walks Back Strait of Hormuz Toll Plan — Former President Donald Trump retracted his announcement to impose a 20% toll on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump Reverses Strait of Hormuz Fee — President Donald Trump reversed his decision to impose a 20% "reimbursement fee" on the Strait of Hormuz less than a day after announcing it.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 78 – 2026-07-11–2026-07-17
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Jun 28, 2026 President Trump gave Senator Cassidy a briefing on the Iran war after oversight pressure Corroborated Power and Authority
The episode showed the White House controlling access to war information that Congress sought as part of its constitutional oversight role.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Grants Briefing on Iran War to Senator Cassidy — President Donald Trump conceded to Senator Bill Cassidy's demand for a briefing on the Iran war, following a heated exchange over the president's failure to inform Congress about the conflict.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 76 – 2026-06-27–2026-07-03
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Jun 27, 2026 President Trump canceled the housing bill signing and tied approval to a proof-of-citizenship voting bill Corroborated Power and Authority
The move used executive leverage over unrelated legislation to pressure Congress on election rules, testing limits on presidential bargaining power.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- President Trump cancels signing of housing bill — President Trump canceled the signing of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which had passed with significant support in both the Senate and the House.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 76 – 2026-06-27–2026-07-03
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Jun 20, 2026 President Trump threatened Iran and proposed U.S. control or tolls in the Strait of Hormuz during talks. Corroborated Power and Authority
The threats showed personalized use of executive and allied power in foreign policy, bypassing normal deliberation and raising the risk of coercive military and economic action.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
BBC · CNBC · NPR · PBS · New York Post · The Atlantic · The Washington Times
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Lindsey Graham Comments on Iran Negotiations — Senator Lindsey Graham stated in a CBS interview that if the Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) deal fails, Trump will take control of the Strait of Hormuz by force and charge tolls.
- Trump Threatens Iran on Social Media — Former President Trump posted on Truth Social threatening to "hit Iran very hard again" if a deal was not reached during the ongoing negotiations in Switzerland.
- Trump Threatens Tolls on Ships in Hormuz Strait — On June 20, 2026, President Trump threatened to impose U.S.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 75 – 2026-06-20–2026-06-26
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May 31, 2026 The Trump administration said it would abandon the proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. Corroborated Power and Authority
The reversal showed executive retreat under political pressure over a fund criticized as a vehicle for rewarding allies with public money.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Drops $1.8 Billion 'Weaponization' Fund — The Trump administration has decided to abandon its controversial $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund, which was intended to compensate alleged victims of prosecutorial conduct under the previous administration.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 72 – 2026-05-30–2026-06-05
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May 27, 2026 DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced plans to withdraw customs agents from airports in sanctuary cities Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The plan would use federal operational power to pressure disfavored local governments, testing limits on coercion between levels of government.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DHS Secretary Mullin Plans to Withdraw Customs Agents from Sanctuary Cities — DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced plans to withdraw U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 71 – 2026-05-23–2026-05-29
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May 26, 2026 The Office of Personnel Management proposed nondisclosure agreements for federal workers Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The proposal expanded executive control over employee speech and could deter disclosures that support public oversight and press accountability.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- White House Proposes NDAs for Federal Workers — The Trump administration has proposed that federal employees sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to prevent them from leaking confidential information to journalists.
- Trump Administration's Proposed Nondisclosure Agreement — The Trump administration proposed a requirement for federal employees to sign a nondisclosure agreement, a move that critics argue would limit transparency and accountability in government operations.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 71 – 2026-05-23–2026-05-29
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May 14, 2026 Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency to halt Louisiana’s congressional primary election Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
Using emergency authority to stop an active election disrupted voting already underway and expanded executive control over election timing.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Louisiana governor declares state of emergency for congressional primary election — Following the Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 69 – 2026-05-09–2026-05-15
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May 9, 2026 President Trump announced that the Department of War would release government files on UFOs and extraterrestrial life Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
A high-profile disclosure announcement shaped public attention from the top of government and showed how spectacle can redirect scrutiny.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Announces Release of Government Files on UFOs — President Donald J.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 69 – 2026-05-09–2026-05-15
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Apr 15, 2026 President Trump announced a ceasefire framework with Iran after unilateral escalation Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The announcement showed the executive making and revising major war decisions with limited congressional control, stressing checks on military power.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Declares Ceasefire and Framework for Agreement with Iran — President Trump announced a ceasefire and proposed a framework for an agreement with Iran after escalating tensions led to military action and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
- — President Trump announced a ceasefire and proposed a framework for an agreement with Iran after escalating tensions led to military actions in the region.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Mar 25, 2026 President Trump announced negotiations with Iran that were later disputed Corroborated Power and Authority
The disputed claim affected public trust in executive war messaging and raised accountability concerns around market-moving statements.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
PBS · BBC · The Dispatch
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Announces False Negotiations with Iran — On March 24, 2026, former President Trump announced that the U.S.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 62 – 2026-03-21–2026-03-27
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Mar 21, 2026 The Pentagon prepared to send thousands of Marines to the Middle East Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The troop preparations signaled a possible expansion of war without clear public authorization, testing limits on executive military power.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Pentagon prepared to send troops to the Middle East — On March 20, 2026, reports emerged that the Pentagon was making detailed preparations to send thousands of Marines to the Middle East, indicating an escalation in military readiness amid ongoing tensions with Iran.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 62 – 2026-03-21–2026-03-27
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Mar 21, 2026 President Trump said he would not send troops to Iran Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The statement conflicted with reported military preparations, adding uncertainty around who controlled war decisions and how they were communicated.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump announced no troops would be sent to Iran — On March 20, 2026, President Trump publicly stated that he would not be sending troops to Iran, despite reports indicating that the Pentagon was preparing to deploy thousands of Marines to the Middle East.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 62 – 2026-03-21–2026-03-27
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Mar 14, 2026 President Trump ordered the bombardment of Iran without congressional authorization Corroborated Power and Authority
The strike concentrated war-making power in the presidency and weakened the constitutional role of Congress in authorizing major military action.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Orders Bombardment of Iran — President Donald Trump ordered a bombardment of Iran, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 61 – 2026-03-14–2026-03-20
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Mar 12, 2026 President Trump denied U.S. responsibility for the strike on an Iranian school Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The denial obscured responsibility for a deadly military action, limiting public accountability for executive use of force.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Trump denies responsibility for school strike — President Trump denied responsibility for the U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 60 – 2026-03-07–2026-03-13
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Mar 5, 2026 President Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and named Markwayne Mullin as her replacement Corroborated Power and Authority
The leadership change showed direct presidential control over a major coercive agency and signaled continuity of hardline immigration enforcement through loyalist staffing.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Kristi Noem fired as DHS Secretary — Kristi Noem was fired from her position as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 5, 2026.
- Markwayne Mullin nominated as Secretary of Homeland Security — President Donald Trump has nominated Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), replacing Kristi Noem.
- Trump fires homeland security secretary Kristi Noem — President Donald Trump announced the firing of Kristi Noem as the homeland security secretary, following bipartisan criticism over her leadership, particularly after immigration agents killed two US citizens.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 59 – 2026-02-28–2026-03-06
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Feb 28, 2026 President Trump announced and defended major combat operations against Iran without congressional authorization Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The president used war powers unilaterally, shifting core decisions on force away from Congress and weakening democratic checks on military action.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Announces Military Action Against Iran — On February 27, 2026, former President Donald Trump released a video on his social media platform, Truth Social, announcing a military operation against Iran.
- Trump announces military operations in Iran — Following the military strikes on Iran, President Trump posted an 8-minute video on social media announcing the commencement of major combat operations.
- Trump expresses desire for regime change in Iran — In a phone call with reporters, President Trump stated that his primary goal in the military action against Iran is regime change, emphasizing his desire for freedom for the Iranian people.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 59 – 2026-02-28–2026-03-06
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Feb 20, 2026 President Trump announced a new global tariff under Section 122 after the Supreme Court ruling Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The move sought to preserve unilateral trade control after a judicial rebuke, testing how far the executive could work around constitutional limits.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- President imposes new tariffs under Section 122 — Following the Supreme Court's ruling against IEEPA tariffs, the President quickly issued a proclamation under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a temporary 10% import surcharge on nearly all imports
- Trump announces new 10% global tariff — Following the Supreme Court's ruling against his previous tariffs, President Trump announced a new 10% global baseline tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 57 – 2026-02-14–2026-02-20
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Jan 30, 2026 Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was redirected to investigate 2020 election fraud claims Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The reassignment suggested executive use of intelligence resources for a politically charged election narrative rather than ordinary security work.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Gabbard Redirected to Investigate Election Fraud Claims — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has reportedly been reassigned from national security intelligence to investigate claims regarding election fraud related to the 2020 presidential election.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 54 – 2026-01-24–2026-01-30
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Jan 14, 2026 The Justice Department released a memo approving a military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro without resolving its legality under international law Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The memo asserted broad executive war-making discretion and weakened legal limits on cross-border force by treating domestic authorization as sufficient.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DoJ Memo on Military Raid to Capture Maduro Released — A memo from the Trump administration's Department of Justice (DoJ) was released, revealing that the administration approved a military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without concluding whether
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 52 – 2026-01-10–2026-01-16
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Jan 8, 2026 The Trump administration drafted plans to cut FEMA staffing by more than half Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The proposed cuts would centralize crisis response through a weakened agency, reducing state capacity and public protection during emergencies.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Draft Plans for Deep Cuts at FEMA Under Trump Administration — The Trump administration, under the oversight of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has drafted plans to significantly reduce the workforce of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by more than 50% by
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 51 – 2026-01-03–2026-01-09
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Dec 30, 2025 USCIS issued guidance seeking 100 to 200 denaturalization case referrals per month Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The guidance expanded the state's capacity to strip citizenship, increasing insecurity for naturalized Americans and widening executive leverage over legal status.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- USCIS Guidance on Denaturalization Cases — New guidance issued to USCIS field offices instructs them to supply the Office of Immigration Litigation with 100-200 denaturalization cases per month during the 2026 fiscal year.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 50 – 2025-12-27–2026-01-02
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Dec 3, 2025 President Trump claimed he could void Biden documents signed by autopen Corroborated Power and Authority
The claim tested whether a president could unilaterally erase a predecessor's official acts, challenging continuity of government and legal limits on executive power.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump attempts to void Biden's autopen-signed documents — On December 2, 2025, Donald Trump announced his intention to "terminate" all documents signed by Joe Biden using an autopen, including pardons.
- Trump Claims Biden's Use of Autopen Invalidates His Actions — President Trump declared that any documents signed by former President Joe Biden using an autopen are invalid, claiming this renders all related actions, including pardons and executive orders, null and void.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 46 – 2025-11-29–2025-12-05
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