Filtering
Trait: Chaos is used as a strategy to fragment focus and disable accountability ×
Clear all
☆ Save this search
Narrow these 248 — tap a value to filter:
Category 5
Attack target 49
Rule of Law 85Truth 65Separation of Powers 63Public Service 53The Information Environment 50The Civil Service 44Immigrants & Refugees 33The Justice Department 31The Economy 26Congress 24The Constitution 23The Press 23Global Democracy 18Minorities 18Public Health 18Transparency 18The Military 16Trade 16Workers 16Low-Income Americans 14Diplomacy 11Elections 11Education 10The Presidency 10The Courts 9Peace 7The Environment 7The Sick & Vulnerable 7Disabled People 6Peaceful Transfer of Power 6Science 5The Intelligence Community 5Children 4LGBTQ People 4Public Norms & Decency 4Voting Rights 4Law Enforcement 3Public Memory 3Women 3Anti-Corruption Safeguards 2Dissent & Protest 2Inspectors General & Watchdogs 2Veterans 2Allies 1Birthright Citizenship 1Climate Cooperation 1Privacy 1The Idea of America 1Whistleblowers 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
May 6, 2026 The FBI opened a criminal leak investigation tied to reporting on Kash Patel's conduct Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The probe threatened source confidentiality and signaled possible use of criminal process against journalism not involving classified information.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
MeidasTouch · Zeteo · MSNBC
Supporting reports
- FBI Launches Leak Investigation — The FBI has initiated a criminal leak investigation targeting an Atlantic magazine journalist, Sarah Fitzpatrick, who reported on FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged behavior.
- FBI Investigates Leaks to The Atlantic Reporter — The FBI has reportedly launched a criminal probe into leaks to a reporter from The Atlantic concerning Director Kash Patel's conduct.
- FBI Launches Criminal Leak Investigation into Journalist — The FBI initiated a criminal leak investigation into journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, who reported on FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged misconduct.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 68 – 2026-05-02–2026-05-08
wk68_IM_008
May 6, 2026 Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials reported Iran war costs to Congress far below internal and outside estimates Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The discrepancy weakened democratic oversight by obscuring the fiscal burden of military action from lawmakers and the public.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Pentagon Understates Iran War Costs to Congress — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Acting Comptroller Jules Hurst informed Congress that the Iran War had cost $25 billion in its first 60 days.
- Underreporting of Iran War Costs — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth informed Congress that the cost of the Iran War for the first 60 days was $25 billion.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 68 – 2026-05-02–2026-05-08
wk68_IM_011
May 5, 2026 Fulton County filed a motion to quash a federal subpoena seeking poll-worker contact information Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The filing pushed back on federal demands that local officials said could intimidate election workers and disrupt state election administration.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Fulton County files motion to quash federal subpoena for poll worker details — Fulton County, Georgia, has filed a motion in federal court to quash a subpoena issued by Dan Bishop, the interim US attorney for North Carolina's middle district.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 68 – 2026-05-02–2026-05-08
wk68_IG_011
Apr 16, 2026 The House of Representatives rejected a war powers resolution on Iran by one vote Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The failure left the executive with broader room to continue military action, underscoring weak legislative control over war powers.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US House Rejects War Powers Resolution on Iran — On Thursday, the US House of Representatives narrowly rejected a war powers resolution aimed at preventing further military action against Iran.
- War Powers Resolution to Block Iran War Fails in House — The War Powers Resolution intended to block President Trump's continuation of Operation Epic Fury in Iran failed in the House of Representatives by a narrow vote of 213-214.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 65 – 2026-04-11–2026-04-17
wk65_IG_026
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
wk65_IM_013
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
wk65_PA_010
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
wk64_IM_012
Apr 7, 2026 Congressional leaders left Congress inactive during escalating Iran threats Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The inaction weakened legislative oversight at a moment of possible war escalation and left executive decisions less constrained.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Time · PBS · The Atlantic
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Congress remains inactive amid Trump's threats — Members of both chambers of Congress were away for the week, and Republican leaders showed no signs of calling them back to address President Trump's escalating threats against Iran.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
wk64_IG_020
Apr 5, 2026 The White House called a lid and stopped further public updates on the downed fighter jet and missing airman Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The decision limited public visibility during a military crisis and reduced immediate accountability for executive handling of the incident.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reports
- White House Calls Lid on Public Information — On April 4, 2026, the White House called a "lid" at 4:12 p.m., indicating that no further public information would be released that day regarding the downed U.S.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 64 – 2026-04-04–2026-04-10
wk64_IG_003
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
wk62_PA_011
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
wk62_PA_002
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
wk62_PA_003
Mar 19, 2026 The Senate voted down a measure to limit President Trump's war powers against Iran Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The vote left presidential war authority largely intact and showed Congress declining to reassert a stronger institutional check.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Senate votes down measure aiming to limit Trump’s war powers — On March 18, 2026, the U.S.
Attacks
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 61 – 2026-03-14–2026-03-20
wk61_IG_037
Mar 19, 2026 Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard omitted a key section of written testimony about Iran's nuclear capabilities Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The omission limited lawmakers' and the public's access to material intelligence relevant to the war's stated justification.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Director of National Intelligence omits key testimony on Iran — During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on March 18, 2026, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard omitted a section of her written testimony that stated Iran had no nuclear enrichment capabilities
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 61 – 2026-03-14–2026-03-20
wk61_IM_018
Mar 18, 2026 President Trump denied prior knowledge of an Israeli strike on Iran despite conflicting reports Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The contradiction clouded public understanding of U.S. involvement and weakened accountability for wartime coordination.
Immediate effect: The contradiction clouded public understanding of U.S.
Independently corroborated by3 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Denies Knowledge of Israeli Strike on Iran — President Trump denied prior knowledge of an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars Gas Field, despite reports of coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 61 – 2026-03-14–2026-03-20
wk61_IM_016
Mar 14, 2026 President Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened broadcasters with license consequences over Iran war coverage Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The threats used regulatory power to pressure news outlets and chilled press independence during a major national crisis.
Independently corroborated by6 independent news desks
NPR · CNBC · Military.com · Axios · New York Post · The Atlantic
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Threatens Media Licenses Over War Coverage — Former President Trump and FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened media companies with potential license revocations for what they described as "hoaxes and news distortions" in war coverage.
- FCC Chair Threatens Broadcasters with License Revocation — FCC Chair Brendan Carr issued a warning to broadcasters, threatening to revoke their licenses if they continue to air what he described as "hoaxes and news distortions." This statement followed President Trump's
- FCC Chair Threatens Broadcast Licenses Over Iran War Coverage — FCC Chair Brendan Carr, appointed by the Trump administration, warned broadcasters that they could lose their licenses if they disseminate what the FCC considers "fake news" regarding the Iran conflict.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 61 – 2026-03-14–2026-03-20
wk61_IM_004
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
wk61_PA_002
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
wk60_PA_013
Mar 9, 2026 Energy Secretary Chris Wright falsely said the U.S. Navy had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz and later retracted it Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The false statement spread confusion during a war-linked shipping crisis and weakened trust in official communications.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Energy Secretary's False Claim on U.S. Navy Escorting Oil Tankers — Energy Secretary Chris Wright falsely claimed that the U.S.
Attacks
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 60 – 2026-03-07–2026-03-13
wk60_IM_007
Mar 9, 2026 Reports on the Iran war indicated that U.S. troop injuries had been underreported Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The discrepancy suggested the public and lawmakers were not receiving full information about the human costs of war.
Primary sourceA record that carries the claim alone
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- U.S. Troop Injuries in Iran War Underreported — Reports indicate that as many as 150 U.S.
- Lawmakers express frustration over Pentagon transparency — Congressional lawmakers expressed frustration that the Pentagon did not proactively announce the revised casualty numbers of U.S.
- Pentagon revises U.S. troop casualty numbers — The Pentagon revised its estimate of U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 60 – 2026-03-07–2026-03-13
wk60_IM_008
Mar 7, 2026 The Trump administration blocked release of a joint intelligence bulletin warning of heightened Iran-related threats in the United States Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
Holding back a threat bulletin limited information available to local authorities and the public during a national security crisis.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Trump Administration Blocks Intelligence Bulletin on Iran War Threats — The Trump administration blocked a joint intelligence bulletin from the FBI, DHS, and the National Counterterrorism Center that was set to warn state and local authorities about heightened threats tied to the ongoing
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 60 – 2026-03-07–2026-03-13
wk60_IM_002
Mar 5, 2026 The House of Representatives rejected a war powers resolution to end hostilities with Iran Tier 1 · Primary Institutions and Governance
The failed vote left the executive with broad room to continue military action, showing legislative reluctance to enforce its own war powers.
Independently corroborated by4 independent news desks
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US House rejects war powers resolution to end hostilities with Iran — The US House of Representatives voted against a war powers resolution that aimed to end hostilities with Iran, with a vote of 212-219.
- U.S. Administration Conflicted on War Status with Iran — There is confusion within the U.S.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 59 – 2026-02-28–2026-03-06
wk59_IG_044
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
wk59_PA_008
Mar 3, 2026 The Department of Justice reversed course and continued its appeal in the law firms case Corroborated Institutions and Governance
The reversal showed executive legal strategy shifting around a case about punishing disfavored law firms, raising concerns about institutional independence.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- DoJ Reverses Decision to Drop Appeal Against Law Firms — On March 2, 2026, the U.S.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 59 – 2026-02-28–2026-03-06
wk59_IG_027
Mar 1, 2026 The Pentagon restricted press access and favored a MAGA-aligned press corps Tier 1 · Primary Information, Memory and Manipulation
The access changes narrowed independent scrutiny of military officials and tilted information flow toward favored outlets, weakening public accountability.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Pentagon Restricts Press Access — The Pentagon has restricted press access, credentialing a MAGA media "press corps" and limiting traditional news outlets' participation in briefings.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 59 – 2026-02-28–2026-03-06
wk59_IM_002