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
Apr 17, 2026 The National Archives and the EPA published notices on environmental impact statements, FOIA committee renewal, and federal records schedules Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The notices preserved formal channels for public access to records and comment on how government information is managed.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Environmental Impact Statements Notice by EPA — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice of availability for several Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) filed between April 6 and April 13, 2026.
- FOIA Advisory Committee Charter Renewal and Nominations — The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) announced the renewal of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee's charter for a seventh term.
- National Archives and Records Administration Requests Comments on Records Schedules — The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has published a notice inviting public comments on proposed records schedules from various federal agencies.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 16, 2026 The EPA modified a Privacy Act system of records to allow new Treasury disclosures Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The change expanded how personal data could be shared across agencies, affecting privacy and public control over government records.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- EPA Modifies System of Records Under Privacy Act — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced modifications to its system of records under the Privacy Act of 1974.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 16, 2026 OMB Director Russ Vought refused to disclose the cost of the Iran war during testimony Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The refusal limited Congress and the public from assessing the financial burden of military action in real time.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- OMB Director Refuses to Disclose Iran War Costs — OMB Director Russ Vought refused to disclose the costs of the Iran war during congressional testimony, despite being asked directly by Senator Merkley.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 14, 2026 The CDC proposed data collection for the NCHS Data Detectives Camp Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The proposal supported public statistical literacy and youth engagement with government data systems.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- CDC Proposes Data Collection for NCHS Data Detectives Camp — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a proposed data collection project for the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Data Detectives Camp.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 14, 2026 Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department had finished releasing Epstein-related files Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The statement intensified a dispute over whether the executive had fully complied with demands for records in a high-profile case.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Acting AG Todd Blanche on Epstein Files — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the Department of Justice has completed releasing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, despite ongoing demands for transparency.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 13, 2026 The Center for Biological Diversity and Democracy Defenders Fund filed FOIA lawsuits against OMB and several agencies Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The suits alleged delayed or denied records access, underscoring barriers to public knowledge about executive programs and decisions.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Complaint filed — Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Office of Management and Budget — The Center for Biological Diversity filed a complaint against the U.S.
- Complaint filed — Democracy Defenders Fund v. Department of Homeland Security — On April 13, 2026, the Democracy Defenders Fund, a nonpartisan nonprofit, and Colombo Hurd PL, an immigration law firm, filed a complaint in the U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 13, 2026 The New York Times won a ruling against Pentagon press access restrictions while the government sought a stay Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The case tested whether the government could limit physical press access to a major defense institution without adequate legal basis.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- Stay motion decided — The New York Times Company v. Department of Defense (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04218 — Judge Friedman denied the government's motion to stay pending appeal the court's orders vacating and enjoining the enforcement of physical access press restrictions for the Pentagon but granted the government's request
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 13, 2026 Trump Media and Technology Group withdrew its defamation lawsuit against the Guardian Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The withdrawal ended one pressure point against a news outlet, illustrating how defamation suits can be used in struggles over press freedom.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Media Company Drops Lawsuit Against the Guardian — Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) has withdrawn its defamation lawsuit against the Guardian and two other defendants.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 13, 2026 A Florida judge and a federal judge dismissed Trump's defamation suit against the Wall Street Journal Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The dismissals reinforced legal protections for reporting on public figures and limited the use of courts to punish unfavorable coverage.
Independently corroborated by7 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Judge dismisses Trump’s lawsuit against Wall Street Journal and Murdoch — A Florida judge, Darrin P Gayles, dismissed a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch.
- Judge dismisses Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal — A federal judge, Darrin Gayles, dismissed Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 12, 2026 President Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV and later posted and deleted an AI-generated religious image of himself Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The rhetoric and synthetic image showed political use of religious symbolism and manipulated media in the public sphere.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Criticizes Pope Leo XIV — President Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV, accusing him of being weak on crime and foreign policy.
- Trump criticizes Pope Leo XIV over war commentary — In a social media post, President Trump criticized Pope Leo XIV for his remarks against the religious justification for wars, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
- Trump Posts and Deletes AI-Generated Image — President Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus Christ on social media, which he later deleted following widespread backlash.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 11, 2026 Eric Swalwell's campaign sent cease-and-desist letters over sexual assault allegations Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The legal threats risked chilling public claims and limiting the flow of information relevant to voter judgment and accountability.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Swalwell's Campaign Sends Cease-and-Desist Letters — Former allies of Democratic contender withdraw support after accusations in San Francisco Chronicle and on CNN
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
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Apr 10, 2026 President Trump criticized former allies who opposed his Iran actions Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The attacks signaled pressure on dissenting media voices inside his coalition and narrowed space for internal criticism.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Criticizes Former Allies Over Iran War — On April 9, 2026, President Trump publicly criticized former allies, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, for their opposition to his military actions in Iran.
- — President Trump publicly criticized former allies, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, for their opposition to his military actions in Iran.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 10, 2026 President Trump posted a graphic video targeting Haitian immigrants and Joe Biden Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The post used violent imagery and scapegoating to inflame public discourse and redirect attention during political controversy.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Posts Graphic Video Amidst Political Turmoil — On the evening of April 9, 2026, President Trump shared a graphic video depicting violence, which coincided with his wife's unexpected press conference addressing Jeffrey Epstein.
- Trump Posts Graphic Video on Social Media — On April 9, 2026, President Trump shared a graphic video depicting violence, accompanied by a message targeting Haitian immigrants and former President Joe Biden.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 10, 2026 The EPA published a notice of availability for environmental impact statements Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The notice supported public access to federal project records and preserved a channel for informed participation in environmental decisions.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- EPA Notice of Availability of Environmental Impact Statements — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice of availability for several Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) filed between March 30 and April 6, 2026.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 10, 2026 Melania Trump made a public statement denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The statement intervened in a high-profile public-information dispute and sought to shape the record around politically sensitive allegations.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Associated Press · NPR · NBC News · PBS · BBC
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- First Lady Melania Trump Addresses Epstein Allegations — First Lady Melania Trump made an unexpected statement to the press, denying any friendship or relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and calling for congressional hearings for Epstein's victims.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 9, 2026 The FBI announced a meeting of the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The meeting concerned rules for criminal-history information sharing, a governance area that affects privacy and surveillance safeguards.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- FBI Announces Meeting of the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council — The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced a meeting of the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council to be held on May 6-7, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 9, 2026 The FBI arrested former Fort Bragg employee Courtney Williams over an alleged classified leak to a journalist Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The arrest intensified tension between leak enforcement and the public's ability to learn about alleged wrongdoing inside the military.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- FBI arrests ex-Fort Bragg employee over alleged classified leak — The FBI arrested Courtney Williams, a former special operations employee at Fort Bragg, for allegedly leaking classified information to a journalist.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 8, 2026 President Trump disputed a CNN report on Iran and demanded an apology Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The attack on a news report sought to delegitimize independent coverage during a foreign-policy crisis and shape the public narrative.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump disputes CNN report on Iran — Trump responded to a CNN report claiming that Iran had achieved a significant victory by forcing the U.S.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 7, 2026 President Trump made false claims about Osama bin Laden and repeated unsupported assertions about Iran Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The false statements degraded trust in presidential communication during a crisis and blurred the line between state messaging and misinformation.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
BBC · HuffPost · ProPublica
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump makes false claims about Osama bin Laden — In a press conference, President Trump claimed that he had called for the killing of Osama bin Laden in his book prior to the 9/11 attacks, a statement that has been debunked.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 7, 2026 The Trump administration declared victory in the Iran war despite ongoing hostilities and setbacks Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The messaging appeared aimed at shaping public perception rather than conveying verified conditions, weakening information accountability.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
CBS News · MSNBC · Politico · The Atlantic · The Dispatch · New York Post
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Attempts to Declare Victory in Iran War — Despite ongoing hostilities and strategic setbacks, the Trump administration has repeatedly declared victory in the Iran war.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 5, 2026 Noah Smith warned that advances in AI hacking could enable large-scale cyberattacks Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The warning highlighted information-system vulnerabilities that can threaten financial stability, privacy, and public trust.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Advances in AI Hacking Capabilities — AI's capabilities in cybersecurity are rapidly advancing, with AI systems like Opus 4.6 and GPT-5.3 Codex achieving significant success in hacking tasks.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
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Apr 2, 2026 Interim Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release of Epstein-related files Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The release responded to public pressure for disclosure in a high-profile case tied to trust in government transparency.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Interim AG Todd Blanche Releases Epstein Files — Interim Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release of all files related to the Epstein saga, stating that these files should not be part of the DOJ's future focus.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 63 – 2026-03-28–2026-04-03
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Apr 1, 2026 President Trump falsely claimed that Iran had requested a ceasefire Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The false statement risked misleading the public about war developments and showed how official disinformation can shape perceptions of conflict.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Reuters · Fox News · PBS · The Hill · New York Post · The Washington Times
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump fabricates Iranian ceasefire request — President Trump falsely claimed on Truth Social that Iran requested a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, a statement quickly denied by Iran's Foreign Ministry.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 63 – 2026-03-28–2026-04-03
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Mar 31, 2026 The FCC deleted a broadcast rules item from its open meeting agenda Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The removal changed the public path for media rulemaking and reduced immediate transparency around broadcast regulation.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- FCC Deletes Item from March 26, 2026 Open Meeting — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) removed an item from its March 26, 2026, Open Meeting agenda.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 63 – 2026-03-28–2026-04-03
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Mar 30, 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed U.S. embassies to run coordinated campaigns against foreign propaganda using influencers and military psychological operations support Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The directive blended diplomacy, platform messaging, and military information tools in ways that could blur public diplomacy and propaganda.
Independently corroborated by2 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US Directs Embassies to Counter Foreign Propaganda — The United States has issued a directive to all American embassies and consulates worldwide to launch coordinated campaigns against foreign propaganda.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 63 – 2026-03-28–2026-04-03
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