Press Releases

The Steady State The Steady State

The Steady State Sends Criminal Referral to DOJ Over Taxpayer-Funded Trump Ads 

The Steady State, an organization of 450 former national security officials, today submitted a criminal referral to the Department of Justice asking it to investigate whether federal officials knowingly and willfully violated federal law by spending taxpayer funds on three television advertisements centered on President Trump. Each advertisement identifies itself as “Paid for by the U.S. Government.” One of the advertisements is virtually identical to an advertisement used by Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.

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The Steady State The Steady State

The Steady State Files Hatch Act Complaint Against Attorney General Blanche Over Remarks at RNC Midterm Convention

The Steady State, an organization of more than 450 former national security officials, today asked the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) to investigate whether Attorney General Todd Blanche violated the Hatch Act when he spoke at the Republican National Committee’s 2026 Midterm Convention in Dallas on September 9, 2026 — an event the Committee said was held “[t]o support the outstanding slate of GOP candidates running in the midterm elections this Fall.”

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The Steady State The Steady State

The Steady State Files Hatch Act Complaint Against Attorney General Blanche and FBI Director Patel Over Long Island Campaign-Style Event

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) closed a Hatch Act complaint against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just one day after receiving it, and a subsequent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has produced no records showing how OSC reached that decision. The complaint was filed by The Steady State, a nonpartisan organization of more than 430 former national security officials, which today filed an administrative appeal challenging OSC’s response to its records request.

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The Steady State The Steady State

OSC Produced No Records Supporting Closure of Hegseth Hatch Act Complaint; The Steady State Appeals

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) closed a Hatch Act complaint against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just one day after receiving it, and a subsequent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has produced no records showing how OSC reached that decision. The complaint was filed by The Steady State, a nonpartisan organization of more than 430 former national security officials, which today filed an administrative appeal challenging OSC’s response to its records request.

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STEADY STATE FILES CRIMINAL REFERRAL OVER ALTERED IRAN WAR CASUALTY COUNT

The Steady State, an organization of more than 430 former national security officials, today transmitted a formal criminal referral to the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General to investigate changes made to the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS), the Department’s official public accounting of United States military casualties, and to preserve all related records. The referral was also sent to the Archivist of the United States.

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CRIMINAL REFERRAL ASKS DOJ, FBI, AND SEC TO INVESTIGATE TRUMP MEDIA’S SALE OF EARLY ACCESS TO PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Steady State, an organization of more than 420 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law enforcement, and homeland security officials on August 21 transmitted a formal criminal referral to the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Securities and Exchange Commission requesting immediate investigation and preservation of evidence concerning Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.’s sale of preferential access to potentially market-moving posts from Truth Social’s most influential accounts, foremost among them President Trump’s.

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THE STEADY STATE FILES AMICUS BRIEF WARNING THAT RETALIATORY PROSECUTION OF INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS THREATENS OUR DEMOCRACY

The Steady State, an organization of more than 420 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law enforcement, and homeland security officials, filed an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in the case of former CIA Director John O. Brennan, who is challenging a politically retaliatory Department of Justice investigation.

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Lawsuit Seeks DHS Records on Tracking of Americans’ First Amendment Activity

The Steady State, an organization of more than 415 former national security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law enforcement, and homeland security officials, today filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for failing to release records about the agency’s monitoring of citizens engaged in constitutionally protected protest and political speech.

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National Poll Shows Belief in Democracy is Strong, Silent Majority Fear Expressing Views, Rising Authoritarianism

A new national poll on the health of democracy released today reveals a participation enigma. While a plurality of the population describes U.S. democracy as strong, there is a significant undercurrent of fear. Most Americans self-censor, hesitating to express political views due to fear of professional or social consequences.

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The Steady State Files Formal Objection to Department of Justice Proposed Rule Undermining Independent Attorney Oversight

The Steady State today filed a formal public comment strongly opposing the U.S. Department of Justice’s proposed rule, “Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against Department of Justice Attorneys,” warning that the rule would undermine the rule of law, violate federal statute, and erode a core system of independent oversight. The filing can be found here.

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The Steady State Announces Partnership with “No Kings” Movement to Defend Democracy

The Steady State, an organization of more than 400 former senior national security officials, is excited to announce its participation in the March 28 nationwide “No Kings” movement and call upon Americans in every state to join a local event. Steady State’s participation brings together experts in fighting authoritarianism and a nationwide grassroots coalition to protect American democracy against executive overreach.

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THE STEADY STATE Statement on U.S. Attack on Iran

The reported U.S. attack on Iran marks one of the most consequential national security decisions in recent years. It demands sober scrutiny — not reflexive celebration, not partisan instinct, but constitutional seriousness.

At the outset, we state clearly our respect for and support of the men and women who serve this nation in uniform, in our intelligence services, and in our diplomatic corps. They execute lawful orders, often at personal risk, and with professionalism that reflects the highest traditions of public service. Our concerns are not directed at those who serve, but at the process and judgment that place them in harm’s way. Their courage and commitment deserve clarity of mission, constitutional legitimacy, and strategic discipline.

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The Steady State Sends Demand Letter to Department of Homeland Security Over Threats to Protected Speech

The Steady State, an organization of more than 380 former senior U.S. national-security, intelligence, diplomatic, defense, and law-enforcement officials, today sent a formal demand letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) concerning public statements by a senior DHS official threatening “consequences” for individuals engaging in constitutionally protected speech.

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