Narrow these 718 — tap a value to filter:
Trait 41
Transparency laws are weakened or unenforced 79Independent media is starved while state-aligned outlets thrive 72Dissenters are labeled unpatriotic, subversive, or corrupt 52Government archives are sealed, sanitized, or destroyed 50Chaos is used as a strategy to fragment focus and disable accountability 49Memory is curated by power—what cannot be controlled is erased 44Journalists investigating the elite are surveilled or smeared 36Elections are flooded with disinformation funded by elite actors 26Law is a weapon of the state, not a limit on its power 23Data and algorithms are used to manipulate, not serve, the public 20Surveillance of ordinary citizens increases; elite crimes remain opaque 20Textbooks and museums are altered to erase dissent and accountability 15National history is rewritten to glorify conquest, not justice 14Dissent is reframed as disorder, treason, or terrorism 13Civil courts are used to harass and silence critics 12Public funds are used for personal glorification and symbolic dominance 10Economic data is selectively published, massaged, or ignored 9Investigations into corruption are blocked, buried, or retaliated against 9Universities are pressured to suppress dissent or lose funding 8Citizenship is stratified by wealth, ideology, and heritage 7Crony capitalism becomes indistinguishable from governance 7Religion is co-opted as a tool of legitimacy and control 7Civil service roles are politicized or privatized 6State power is outsourced to unaccountable private contractors 6Statues, portraits, and records of disfavored leaders are removed without process 5Administrative agencies are deregulated or captured by private interests 4Civic education is hollowed out and replaced with market ideology 4Crimes committed by elite donors or allies are concealed, not prosecuted 4Executive power operates without effective oversight 4Voter suppression is rationalized as election integrity 4Foreign influence is welcomed if it supports regime interests 3Whistleblowers are prosecuted, not protected 3Federal power is weaponized against disfavored states or localities 2Inspectors general are fired or ignored 2Policy outcomes are driven by elite lobbying and financial contributions 2Political appointments are awarded based on loyalty and wealth 2Judicial independence is eroded through politicized appointments 1Opposition parties are allowed but structurally weakened 1Police and military are aligned with elite preservation, not public defense 1Public tragedy is monetized by regime insiders 1Wealth buys not only speech, but law 1
Attack target 50
The Information Environment 296Truth 282The Press 174The Justice Department 75Transparency 72Rule of Law 56Public Memory 36Public Service 29Minorities 25Public Health 25Immigrants & Refugees 22Science 19Elections 18Diplomacy 17Education 16Global Democracy 16Public Norms & Decency 16The Intelligence Community 15The Civil Service 14Culture & the Arts 13The Constitution 12Congress 11The Courts 11Separation of Powers 10The Military 10LGBTQ People 9Peace 6Anti-Corruption Safeguards 5Free Speech 5Inspectors General & Watchdogs 5The Presidency 4Whistleblowers 4Allies 3Children 3Low-Income Americans 3Religious Freedom 3The Idea of America 3Women 3Law Enforcement 2Privacy 2The Economy 2The Sick & Vulnerable 2Workers 2Disabled People 1Dissent & Protest 1Peaceful Transfer of Power 1Presidential Succession & Capacity 1The Environment 1The Internet 1Trade 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
Sep 6, 2025 The Department of Defense deleted a video that falsely said Pete Hegseth had received a Bronze Star for valor Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The deletion followed scrutiny of false official messaging, highlighting the role of state communications in shaping public belief.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Department of Defense Deletes Misleading Video — The Department of Defense deleted a video featuring Pete Hegseth, which inaccurately claimed he received a Bronze Star Medal for valor.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 34 – 2025-09-06–2025-09-12
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Sep 5, 2025 The Department of Justice appeared to confirm controversial comments about Ghislaine Maxwell's prison conditions Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The statement deepened concerns that opaque arrangements around a high-profile case were being managed without full public accountability.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DOJ confirms comments on Ghislaine Maxwell's prison conditions — The Department of Justice published a statement that appears to confirm controversial comments made by an official regarding Ghislaine Maxwell's prison conditions, suggesting that the government may be offering her
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 33 – 2025-08-30–2025-09-05
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Sep 4, 2025 Susan Monarez warned that antivaccine rhetoric was shaping CDC recommendation processes Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The warning described political filtering of scientific communication inside a public health agency, weakening information integrity.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Former CDC Director Warns of Antivaccine Influence — Former CDC director Susan Monarez warned in an op-ed that she was directed to preapprove recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel with antivaccine rhetoric, compromising the CDC's ability to fulfill its obligations.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 33 – 2025-08-30–2025-09-05
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Sep 4, 2025 President Trump warned Republicans not to demand more Epstein investigation files Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The warning discouraged disclosure of politically sensitive records and signaled pressure against transparency from within the ruling coalition.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump warns Republicans against demanding Epstein investigation files — Trump has warned Republican members of Congress that demanding the release of files related to the federal investigation of Jeffrey Epstein would be seen as a hostile act against his administration.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 33 – 2025-08-30–2025-09-05
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Sep 3, 2025 PBS laid off employees after Trump defunded the broadcaster Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The cuts weakened a public media institution and reduced capacity for independent information service.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- PBS Lays Off Employees Due to Trump Defunding — PBS laid off 34 employees as a result of Trump defunding the public broadcaster, impacting its operations and programming.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 33 – 2025-08-30–2025-09-05
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Aug 29, 2025 The Pentagon announced that it would restore a portrait of Robert E. Lee at West Point Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The restoration used state control over official memory to reinsert a Confederate symbol into a federal military institution.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Pentagon to restore Confederate general portrait at West Point library — The Pentagon has announced the return of a controversial portrait of General Robert E.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 32 – 2025-08-23–2025-08-29
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Aug 28, 2025 A whistleblower reported that a DOGE official copied Social Security data to an unsecured cloud server Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The report raised major accountability and privacy concerns over state handling of sensitive records for hundreds of millions of people.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Whistleblower reported data security violations at DOGE — A whistleblower, Charles Borges, reported that a former senior official at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) copied sensitive Social Security data of over 300 million Americans to an unsecured cloud server.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 32 – 2025-08-23–2025-08-29
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Aug 28, 2025 The FCC sought comments on an information collection about accessibility for blind and visually impaired users Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The notice addressed access to information technology and preserved a public process around communications inclusion.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- FCC Seeks Comments on Information Collection — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a notice inviting public comments on its information collection efforts under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 32 – 2025-08-23–2025-08-29
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Aug 26, 2025 The CDC proposed a Data Management Plan template for public comment Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The proposal supported more consistent public data handling and could improve transparency in federally funded research.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- CDC Proposes Data Management Plan Template for Public Comment — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a proposed Data Management Plan (DMP) Template for public comment, aiming to standardize data management across CDC programs.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 32 – 2025-08-23–2025-08-29
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Aug 24, 2025 President Trump called for the FCC to revoke ABC and NBC broadcast licenses Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The demand threatened critical media outlets with state regulatory punishment, putting pressure on press freedom.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Calls for Revocation of Broadcast Licenses — President Trump has called for the Federal Communications Commission to revoke the broadcast licenses of ABC News and NBC News, labeling them as threats to democracy.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 32 – 2025-08-23–2025-08-29
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Aug 22, 2025 The Department of Justice released redacted transcripts of Ghislaine Maxwell interviews Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The release shaped public access to politically sensitive records through selective disclosure controlled by the executive branch.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
PBS · NPR · The Guardian · CBS News · National Review · New York Post
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DOJ Releases Redacted Transcripts of Ghislaine Maxwell Interviews — On August 22, 2025, the Department of Justice released redacted transcripts of interviews conducted by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche with Ghislaine Maxwell.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 31 – 2025-08-16–2025-08-22
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Aug 19, 2025 President Trump and the White House attacked Smithsonian exhibits and criticized the institution's focus on slavery and race Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The attacks sought to pressure a public memory institution to change how national history and identity are presented.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Criticizes Smithsonian's Focus on Slavery — On Truth Social, President Trump criticized the Smithsonian for focusing too much on "how bad Slavery was" and "how horrible our Country is." He directed his attorneys to review the museums' exhibits, similar to
- Trump criticizes Smithsonian's portrayal of slavery — President Donald J.
- White House Attacks Smithsonian Exhibitions — The White House published an article attacking Smithsonian exhibitions on race, slavery, trans identity, and immigration.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 31 – 2025-08-16–2025-08-22
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Aug 18, 2025 Newsmax agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation lawsuit over false election claims Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The settlement imposed consequences for election misinformation that had damaged public trust in vote counting and democratic legitimacy.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Newsmax Settles Defamation Lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems — Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation lawsuit.
- Newsmax settles defamation case over election fraud claims — Newsmax agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation lawsuit related to false claims that the company's voting technology was rigged in the 2020 presidential election.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 31 – 2025-08-16–2025-08-22
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Aug 18, 2025 The Justice Department and U.S. attorney's office in Washington opened investigations into alleged manipulation of D.C. crime data Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The probes put official public-safety information under political pressure and raised concerns about using law enforcement to shape narratives.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DOJ Investigates DC Crime Data Manipulation — The Trump DOJ is investigating whether DC police manipulated crime data to make rates appear lower.
- Federal prosecutors launch inquiry into Washington DC police over crime statistics — Federal prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into the Washington DC police department over allegations of manipulating crime statistics to present a safer image of the city.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 31 – 2025-08-16–2025-08-22
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Aug 16, 2025 Trump administration officials left sensitive summit documents on a public printer and then downplayed the breach Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The mishandling and misleading response undermined trust in official truthfulness and the state's stewardship of sensitive public records.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reports
- Sensitive State Department Documents Left on Public Printer — Government documents with potentially sensitive information from the State Department were left on a public printer at an Alaskan hotel near where President Trump held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Sensitive Documents Left Behind After Trump-Putin Meeting — Following the Trump-Putin summit on August 15, 2025, officials from the Trump administration left eight pages of sensitive information in a public printer at an Alaskan hotel.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 31 – 2025-08-16–2025-08-22
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Aug 11, 2025 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the reinstallation of a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The decision used state authority to restore a contested symbol and shape official public memory about slavery and the Confederacy.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reinstalls Confederate memorial — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the reinstallation of a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, which had been removed in 2003 due to its controversial depiction of slavery and the Southern
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 30 – 2025-08-09–2025-08-15
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Aug 9, 2025 Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified and released a classified report on Russian interference with Trump's support Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The release raised concerns that sensitive intelligence was being used to reshape public understanding of past election interference.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump supports release of classified report on Russian interference — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified and released a highly classified report on Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 30 – 2025-08-09–2025-08-15
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Aug 9, 2025 Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the Order of Lenin to the mother of an American who died fighting for Russia Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The gesture used symbolic politics to shape narratives about loyalty, conflict, and U.S.-Russia rivalry.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Putin awards Order of Lenin to American's mother — Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the Order of Lenin to the mother of Michael Gloss, an American who died fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 30 – 2025-08-09–2025-08-15
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Aug 8, 2025 Democracy Forward sued the DOJ and FBI for records on the Epstein investigation Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The lawsuit sought to force disclosure from federal agencies and challenged secrecy around a politically sensitive criminal matter.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Advocacy group sues DOJ and FBI for Epstein investigation records — On August 8, 2025, the legal organization Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Justice and the FBI in federal court in Washington DC.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 29 – 2025-08-02–2025-08-08
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Aug 7, 2025 The U.S. Army planned to restore a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The decision intervened in public memory by restoring a monument tied to the Confederacy and reshaping official commemorative space.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US Army to Restore Confederate Memorial at Arlington — The US Army plans to restore a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, costing approximately $10 million.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 29 – 2025-08-02–2025-08-08
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Aug 5, 2025 President Trump requested Rupert Murdoch's deposition and sued the Wall Street Journal over Epstein reporting Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The legal moves put pressure on a news outlet over unfavorable reporting and risked chilling aggressive journalism about powerful figures.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Requests Murdoch Deposition in Lawsuit — President Trump requested a federal judge in Miami to compel Rupert Murdoch to testify under oath regarding the Wall Street Journal's reporting on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
- Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Reporting — President Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal's parent company, Dow Jones, in response to a report detailing his past contributions to a birthday album for Jeffrey Epstein.
- — President Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal's parent company, Dow Jones, in response to a report detailing his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 29 – 2025-08-02–2025-08-08
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Aug 3, 2025 Radar Online and James Robertson continued a legal fight for FBI records on Jeffrey Epstein Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The case centered on public access to records in a high-profile investigation and tested how secrecy limits accountability.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Radar Online and James Robertson file lawsuit for FBI documents on Epstein — Radar Online and investigative journalist James Robertson filed a lawsuit in May 2017 after the FBI did not respond to their public records request for documents related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 29 – 2025-08-02–2025-08-08
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Aug 3, 2025 The State Department softened draft human-rights reporting on abuses in several countries Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The draft changes suggested official reporting could be reshaped to mute documented abuses and alter the public record for diplomatic reasons.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump administration eases criticism of human rights abuses — The State Department is reportedly easing its criticism of human rights abuses in El Salvador, Israel, and Russia, according to leaked drafts of annual reports.
- Trump administration plans to downplay human rights abuses in annual report — Leaked drafts indicate that the Trump administration plans to minimize criticism of human rights abuses in El Salvador, Israel, and Russia in its upcoming annual human rights report.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 29 – 2025-08-02–2025-08-08
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Aug 2, 2025 A newly unclassified Durham annex undermined Tulsi Gabbard's claims about a conspiracy against Trump Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The release challenged a senior intelligence official's public narrative and mattered for truthfulness in state-backed political claims.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Durham Report Annexe Undermines Gabbard's Claims — A newly unclassified 29-page document from Special Counsel John Durham, released this week, undermines claims by Tulsi Gabbard, the director of US national intelligence, that there was a conspiracy by Barack Obama and
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 29 – 2025-08-02–2025-08-08
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Aug 1, 2025 President Trump claimed he had ended six wars Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The unsupported claim risked misleading both domestic and foreign audiences about U.S. foreign policy achievements.
Immediate effect: The unsupported claim risked misleading both domestic and foreign audiences about U.S.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reports
- Trump Claims to Have Ended Six Wars — During a meeting with U.K.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 28 – 2025-07-26–2025-08-01
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