Individual Factor Movements
-3-2-10+1+2+3
Key Developments
Democracy Trends Dashboards
These interactive US Democracy Dashboards track weekly changes across 39 key factors, organized into 13 dimensions, that influence democratic accountability in the United States.
How to Read the Dashboard:
Green cards show dimensions that improved during the week
Orange cards indicate minor to moderate declines in democratic vitality
Red cards signal significant democratic deterioration
Grey cards represent stable dimensions with minimal change
Tap any colored dimension card to explore the specific factors driving change and view the news stories behind each rating. The factor charts show individual movements on a scale from -3 (substantial decline) to +3 (substantial improvement).
Each weekly analysis draws from comprehensive monitoring of 15 news sources across the political spectrum, providing an objective, data-driven view of US democratic health trends.
Powered by RealTime DemTrends - Real-time analysis of democratic accountability trends
Democracy Dashboard
Week of April 6–12, 2026 • 39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
1
Signaling Progress
23
Signaling Concern
15
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Civil society demonstrated active oversight functioning — advocacy groups sued over presidential records transparency, library funding was restored through legal channels, and organized labor continued to mobilize.
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Courts remained active — the Court of International Trade challenged Trump's tariff authority and a judge blocked DHS's cancellation of Ethiopian TPS — but the Pentagon defied a court order on press access, and immigration judges were fired after blocking deportation orders.
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
USPS suspended pension contributions facing a cash crisis, FAA turned to recruiting video gamers to fill air traffic controller shortages, and deregulatory actions are being offset by tariff distortions. Crisis response showed mixed signals as new DHS Secretary visited Helene recovery areas while calling for states to lead disaster response.
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
CIA World Factbook taken offline without explanation, former AG Bondi defied a congressional subpoena on Epstein files, and groups sued over DOJ's claim that presidential records are exempt from transparency law. Digital surveillance concerns were offset by a federal judge dismissing DOJ's demand for Massachusetts voter rolls.
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Trump shared a graphic video targeting Haitian immigrants, Iran war created documented wedge between Catholics and the administration, a Texas state hearing became a documented religious-identity clash, and the White House warned staff against insider trading on Iran war information.
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Trump administration rescinded civil rights settlements for trans students, University of Missouri cut funding to five multicultural student organizations, tribal college funding proposed for elimination, and only white Afrikaner refugees admitted among 4,499 since October.
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
President threatened to jail journalists over Iran war reporting, Pentagon defied a court order on press access and appealed, acting CDC director suppressed a completed peer-reviewed vaccine study, and pro-Iran AI propaganda targeted US domestic opinion.
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
90+ military strikes on Iran without congressional authorization, war powers vote stalled, SCOTUS cleared dismissal of a completed congressional contempt conviction, and former AG Bondi defied a House subpoena.
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
New AG declared anti-Trump prosecutors "had to be purged," TSA sharing 31,000+ traveler records with ICE, CDC vaccine advisory panel restructured to circumvent court order, and federal workforce at lowest staffing since the 1960s.
Sovereign Relations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
NATO in institutional crisis over Europe's refusal to support the Iran war; Russia and China vetoed the US-backed UN Security Council Hormuz resolution; confirmed Iranian cyberattacks on US infrastructure; VP Vance campaigned alongside Orbán in Hungary before Orbán's election defeat; DHS threatened to disrupt customs at sanctuary city airports.
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-6)
All three factors at -2: March inflation spiked 0.9% from Iran war energy shocks, tariffs raised import costs to Great Depression-era highs, and federal pressure on universities and researchers continues to erode scientific independence.
Electoral Processes
→ Stable (0)
Elections ran normally: Chris Taylor won the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and Clay Fuller won Georgia's special election. These positive signals are offset by Senate Republicans advancing the SAVE Act voter ID legislation on a party-line path without bipartisan deliberation.
Party Politics
→ Stable (0)
No significant developments in party organization, inter-party deliberation, or party system plurality this week. Elon Musk's America Party effort continued receiving attention without institutional change.
Democracy Dashboard
Week of March 30–April 5, 2026
39 Factors · 13 Dimensions
39 Factors · 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Signaling Progress
21
Signaling Concern
15
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
No Kings protests reached historically significant scale across rural and urban communities. Civil society organizations — from evangelical pastors to labor unions to advocacy groups — demonstrated active oversight and accountability functions across multiple sectors.
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Federal courts issued multiple rulings checking executive action, including halting ballroom construction, blocking race-data demands, and finding the NPR/PBS defunding order unconstitutional. Impartial access to justice showed mixed signals — courts corrected enforcement errors but the volume of initial failures requiring correction is itself a concern.
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
A U.S. journalist was kidnapped in Baghdad by Iran-backed militia suspects, and Trump threatened a reporter with jail time over a missing airman story. Trump's ceasefire claim — immediately and flatly denied by Iran — represents a significant public information integrity failure confirmed across all political spectrums.
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
The Strait of Hormuz blockade drove Brent crude above $116/barrel and a 100% pharmaceutical tariff was announced on the Liberation Day anniversary. Liberal markets and freedom of inquiry showed competing signals that cancelled out, holding both stable.
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
The DOJ argued the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional, marking a sweeping departure from post-Watergate transparency standards. ICE halted publication of key immigration enforcement data, eliminating a major accountability mechanism. Epstein file opacity remained a cross-partisan concern.
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
The DHS partial shutdown — now the longest in agency history — continued disrupting services. A major autism therapy provider and a Midwest food pantry network both shuttered. Over 1.1 million SNAP-eligible households face removal from food assistance rolls. Regulatory systems held stable with modernization proposals offsetting tariff-driven disruptions.
Electoral Processes
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Two executive orders challenged electoral mechanics simultaneously — restricting mail-in access and creating a national voter database — both immediately challenged in court. Florida and Mississippi enacted citizenship verification laws. Georgia ended its session without resolving a voting machine security dispute. Campaign finance transparency showed strain on both sides of the aisle, with ActBlue facing congressional scrutiny and dark money flowing across party lines.
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Trump stated the U.S. "can't pay" for Medicare or childcare due to war costs, with the burden falling on lower-income and elderly Americans. VP Vance was tapped as "fraud czar" explicitly targeting Democratic-leaning states. Iran war energy shocks drove $4+ national gas average, Amazon surcharges, and airline price hikes, compounding tariff-driven price increases over the past year.
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
ICE detention deaths reached a record pace with a refugee death ruled a homicide. Civic culture was strained by religious-nationalist framing of the Iran war from senior officials, including Hegseth's claim that troops are "fighting for Jesus." Immigration enforcement is forcing foreign-trained doctors and skilled workers out, reshaping who participates in civic and economic life.
Constitutional Balance of Power
🚨 Significant Concern (-5)
Congress departed for two-week recess without resolving the DHS shutdown or SAVE Act, while submitting a record $1.5 trillion defense budget. Trump became the first sitting president to attend SCOTUS oral arguments on his own executive order, while a pattern of presidential self-branding accumulated across federal collateral. Judicial review showed strain as the administration pushed the boundaries of birthright citizenship authority.
Sovereign Relations
🚨 Significant Concern (-5)
Trump publicly considered NATO withdrawal while berating allies for not supporting the Iran war. The UK convened 40+ nations — some configurations excluding the U.S. — to address the Strait of Hormuz crisis. China's hack of U.S. law enforcement data was labeled a "major cyber incident." Iran's president sent a propaganda letter directly to the American public. The federal government sued three states over prediction market regulation, asserting preemption over an emerging state regulatory domain.
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Concern (-6)
Pam Bondi was fired and replaced by Trump's personal criminal defense attorney as acting AG, drawing bipartisan concern about structural conflict of interest. Hegseth fired the Army Chief of Staff and two other generals during an active war and intervened in promotions for 12+ senior officers. The White House planned to slash CFPB staff by two-thirds; the DOJ sought unprecedented subpoenas targeting Federal Reserve Chair Powell — blocked by a federal judge.
Party Politics
→ Stable (0)
Standard party dynamics continued with no significant structural changes. CPAC revealed an Iran war rift in the Republican coalition, while Democratic organizing efforts and Booker's renewal call represent routine party development activity without immediate accountability impact.
Democracy Dashboard
Week of March 23–29, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
22
Signaling Concern
15
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Record-setting "No Kings" mobilization — 3,300+ rallies across all 50 states — demonstrated sustained citizen capacity for democratic participation even under institutional strain.
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
TSA staffing collapse, the LaGuardia runway crash, and USPS fuel surcharges documented compounding service delivery failures driven by workforce and funding pressures.
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
States actively exercised constitutional authority — Minnesota sued federally over withheld shooting evidence, California challenged pipeline policy — but external influence deteriorated through Iran-linked hacks and targeted propaganda.
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
A California sheriff with an active gubernatorial campaign seized 650,000+ ballots; SCOTUS signaled it may restrict mail-in ballot counting in 14+ states; Missouri's mid-decade redistricting upheld.
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Courts produced split outcomes — blocking executive overreach on multiple fronts while also restricting voting access and extending qualified immunity for law enforcement — with impartial access to justice showing documented erosion.
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
VOA journalists sued over direct editorial interference; Pentagon closed press workspace and imposed new restrictions days after a court ruling against earlier limits; information integrity challenged by classified map disclosure and government-sourced factual disputes.
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Both parties showed internal fractures — CPAC's Iran war rift, Booker's leadership call, Fetterman's break — while inter-party rhetoric escalated to "burn it down" delegitimization language and legislative hostage-taking framings.
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Economic Inequality upgraded to -2: gender pay gap widened for the second consecutive year, wealth transfer barriers deepened structurally, and Iran war costs hit household budgets. Social cohesion strain from intergroup violence plots and antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents rounds out the dimension.
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Congress failed to authorize the Iran war and broke shutdown records at -2 each; Judicial Review & Constitutional Adjudication held at 0 with landmark cases argued but undecided. Executive emergency order to pay TSA workers and Trump's signature on currency set new precedent benchmarks.
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Agency politicization expanded across FEMA, DOJ, ATF, and housing agencies; civil service degraded as TSA workers went unpaid and DOGE cuts produced uncertain efficiency gains; oversight bodies faced documented political interference.
Democratic Norms
🚨 Significant Concern (-6)
Civic culture eroded through Pentagon prayer service invoking violence, record-low presidential approval, and civic space weaponization. Inclusion and human rights faced simultaneous rollbacks: anti-DEI contracting order, transgender bathroom criminalization, 13 ICE custody deaths, and CECOT torture allegations.
Economic Ecosystem
🚨 Significant Concern (-6)
The Iran war created an energy security crisis the IEA equated to the 1970s twin oil shocks combined; markets entered correction territory; universities faced patent seizure threats and funding freezes; academic freedom deteriorated across medical schools, sociology, and AI research.
Modern Open Government
→ Stable (0)
All three factors held at 0. Modernization initiatives and accountability advances offset targeting concerns and unverified deregulation claims; ethics panel accountability and transparency withholding on ICE records cancel to stable.
Democracy Dashboard
Week of March 9–15, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
26
Signaling Concern
11
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Courts repeatedly checked attempts to suppress protest and political speech; civil society mobilized broadly across the political spectrum in response to immigration enforcement and the Iran war.
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Courts produced a strong pattern of constitutional enforcement blocking executive overreach, but confirmed due-process failures in immigration detention and enforcement offset the rule-of-law gains.
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Trump labeled Democrats "the greatest enemy America has"; Senate hearings devolved into public confrontations; a Democratic senator publicly accused his own party of TDS-driven dysfunction, while both parties showed simultaneous infrastructure building and internal fracture.
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
The attorney general stonewalled a congressional Epstein subpoena; the FBI disclosed purchasing Americans' location data without warrants; FISA surveillance renewal advanced under time pressure without reform.
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
The Senate debated the SAVE Act to ban most mail-in voting, with active pressure to eliminate the filibuster; a California sheriff seized 650,000 ballots in defiance of state election officials; AIPAC and AI super PACs flooded primaries with unprecedented spending.
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
The 36-day DHS shutdown left TSA unpaid, FEMA defunded, and counterterrorism investigators working without pay; ICE agents deployed to fill airport security roles; the Postal Service warned of delivery cuts and stamp prices approaching $1.
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
FCC Chair stated ambitions to reshape American media along state-controlled lines; a Spanish-language journalist was held in ICE custody for two weeks in apparent conflict with a judicial order; CBS shuttered its century-old radio news service.
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
The Senate blocked Iran war-powers oversight multiple times; the administration bypassed Congress to sell weapons to Gulf states under emergency declarations; courts blocked a sweeping federal funding freeze even as the attempt itself expanded the executive footprint.
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Three global democracy monitoring organizations confirmed U.S. democratic institutions are being dismantled at historically rapid pace; two deaths in ICE detention; Trump publicly cheered Mueller's death; the DOJ dropped charges against officers in the Breonna Taylor case.
Sovereign Relations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
NATO, the EU, Japan, and Gulf states refused to join the U.S. Hormuz coalition; the administration overrode state environmental law to reopen a California oil pipeline; the White House unveiled AI policy explicitly aimed at preempting state-level regulation.
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Gas prices hit a two-year high with lower-income households absorbing disproportionate costs; the NYT Cesar Chavez abuse investigation fractured a foundational civic identity; geographic and income-based healthcare disparities widened across Medicaid domains.
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz pushed gas to a two-year high; DOGE terminated $2 billion in research contracts including decades-long education tracking studies; the administration lifted Iranian oil sanctions under adversarial pressure even as the war continued.
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-6)
The FBI investigated a resigned counterterrorism official for alleged leaks; the DOJ orchestrated a closed-door Epstein briefing to evade congressional subpoena; DHS contractors documented a Trump ally demanding payment for access to federal contracting; FCC approved a major media merger over eight states' objections.
Democracy Dashboard
Week of March 9–15, 2026 • 39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
23
Signaling Concern
14
Stable
Civic Participation
↔️ Mixed Signals (0)
Civil Society Oversight (+1) offset by Contentious Politics (-1): watchdogs active on student loans and DOGE; Teamsters challenged Paramount-Warner merger; terrorism convictions for Texas ICE attack raise protest precedent concerns
Legal System
↔️ Mixed Signals (0)
Rule of Law (+1) offset by Impartial Access to Justice (-1): courts blocked DOJ subpoenas of Fed Chair, halted immigration appeal restrictions, blocked ICE detention center; but ICE documented violating court orders and two U.S.-born teens detained
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Immigration enforcement data increasingly restricted; 26 documented cases where workforce cuts slowed public records access; SSA Inspector General opened probe into alleged DOGE misuse of Social Security data
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Senator Cornyn reversed filibuster position hours after promising otherwise, attributed to pursuing Trump endorsement; Trump compared Massie to Cheney/Kinzinger for invoking war powers; partisan blame dominated Senate floor during DHS shutdown
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
FBI expanded 2020 election probe with Arizona subpoenas; SAVE Act ultimatum weaponizes electoral reform as political leverage; Democratic states moving to protect polls from federal access ahead of 2026 midterms
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
DHS shutdown causing airport security failures affecting 171 million spring break travelers; Noem had pushed to cut FEMA staffing 50%; Trump's DHS replacement pick has a record of personal enrichment through political position
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Three ideologically-motivated attacks within days: Michigan synagogue truck attack; ISIS-inspired IED attack at NYC Ramadan protest; former National Guardsman with ISIS conviction opened fire at Old Dominion University killing ROTC instructor
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
G7 emergency meeting on oil prices; EU allies distancing from unpopular war; drone strike hit Cyprus in retaliation for U.S. operations; Russia characterizes war as strategic win; China questions Washington's strategic calculations
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Pentagon barred photographers from Hegseth briefings; FCC chair threatened broadcast license revocations at presidential direction; Pentagon restricted Stars and Stripes entertainment coverage; veteran 60 Minutes reporter says network "crumbled" under pressure
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Iran war in second week without congressional authorization costing $11.3B in first six days; Trump refuses to sign any legislation until SAVE Act passes; SCOTUS Justices Jackson and Kavanaugh publicly spar over emergency orders; public SCOTUS confidence at record low
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
300+ TSA officers resign without pay; 96% of D.C.-area job losses from federal layoffs; DOJ opened criminal probe of Fed Chair Powell before court blocked it; $220M DHS ad contract scandal; CFPB functionally gutted; DOGE data misuse probe opened
Democratic Norms
🚨 Significant Concern (-7)
U.S. school strike killing 175 with administration initially deflecting responsibility; anti-Muslim statements by GOP with no leadership response; Kansas revoking 1,700 trans IDs; Hegseth calling for "no quarter" — a war crime under international law
Economic Ecosystem
🚨 Significant Concern (-7)
Oil above $100/barrel as Iran closes Strait of Hormuz; IEA calls it largest ever oil supply disruption; tariff regime struck down and immediately replaced with new investigations; Ig Nobels relocate to Europe over U.S. visa restrictions
Democracy Dashboard
Week of March 2–8, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions • 2,196 Articles
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions • 2,196 Articles
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
4
Signaling Progress
21
Signaling Concern
14
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Record primary turnout, 59% public opposition to Iran war, and civil society watchdogs actively engaging government accountability throughout the week
Party Politics
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Competitive Texas and NC primaries with strong Democratic turnout offset by near-total partisan division over the Iran war and DHS shutdown standoff
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
TSA workers unpaid during DHS shutdown caused major airport security backlogs; USPS facing insolvency within a year; Medicaid funds withheld from Minnesota as apparent coercive leverage
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
ICE detention conditions documented with measles outbreaks, Legionella bacteria, and overcrowding. Body camera footage contradicted DHS account of fatal Texas shooting. Teen mariachi brothers detained facing deportation
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
DOJ's Epstein release described as a transparency travesty with 47,635 files held offline and heavy Trump-protecting redactions. DHS shooting of a US citizen went undisclosed for nearly a year. National Park Service flagging slavery and civil rights records for removal
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Iran war strained European alliances; Trump called Spain a "loser" and attacked UK PM Starmer. Russia sharing intelligence with Iran against US forces. Diplomatic gains with France, Germany, Venezuela, and Latin America partially offset tensions
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Foreign state propaganda confirmed behind fabricated Iran war videos. White House mixed Hollywood footage with real strikes in promotional videos. Pentagon restricted press access during active military campaign; ICE detained Nashville journalist. Federal judge voided VOA mass layoffs — a significant partial counterweight
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Both chambers voted down war powers resolutions allowing the Iran offensive under a 25-year-old AUMF. Trump conditioned all bill signings on SAVE Act passage. State Dept approved $151.8M in munitions to Israel without required congressional review. SCOTUS active across multiple constitutional dimensions offset (+1)
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Trump withheld all bill signings pending SAVE Act voter ID passage. Dallas and Williamson County polling rule changes turned away live voters during Texas primaries. Administration strategy to federalize election administration in targeted jurisdictions reported
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
US crude oil recorded its largest weekly price jump on record (35%), gas up 33 cents; February jobs report showed unexpected loss of 92,000 positions. IED thrown into NYC protest crowd by ISIS-linked suspects. Working Americans squeezed on income and expenditures simultaneously
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
DHS Inspector General documented 11 instances of departmental obstruction. DOJ reversed course twice in 24 hours on law firm sanctions. IRS declined congressional questions on unlawful taxpayer data disclosures. DHS steered $200M ad contract to political insiders. Federal workforce shrank 12% in Trump's first year; Noem fired following bipartisan Senate scrutiny
Economic Ecosystem
🚨 Significant Concern (-6)
Iran war closed Strait of Hormuz (20% of global oil supply), producing the largest single-week crude price jump on record. Pentagon designated Anthropic a national security supply chain risk. Courts ordered $130B+ in tariff refunds while Treasury signaled higher tariffs ahead. Federal pressure on universities and medical schools for political conformity continued
Legal System
→ Stable (0)
Courts actively blocked executive overreach across tariff refunds, congestion pricing, TPS protections, and VOA layoffs — while executive compliance remained an open question across immigration and enforcement cases
Democracy Dashboard
Week of February 23 – March 1, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions • 2,182 Articles • 15 Sources
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions • 2,182 Articles • 15 Sources
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Signaling Progress
24
Signaling Concern
12
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Mass mobilization across multiple venues — anti-Iran strike protests, SOTU boycott rallies outside the Capitol, Liberty Vans documenting ICE raids nationwide, and three simultaneous labor actions confirm democratic participation is robust. Civil society oversight stable with private-sector labor gains offset by public-sector union erosion.
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Prosecutor acknowledged charges against Abrego Garcia were likely "vindictive"; ICE agents posed as police; no charges filed against ICE agent who killed a U.S. citizen in Texas. Rule of Law and Judicial Independence stable but courts report repeated non-compliance with their orders — a key thread to watch.
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Kansas revoked driver's licenses for ~1,700 transgender residents who need photo ID to vote; SAVE America Act federal voter ID bill stalled in Senate; 2026 AI-industry election ads conspicuously silent on AI policy; DHS pledged ICE will not be deployed at polling places in 2026 midterms.
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
FBI terrorism investigation into Austin bar shooting; armed man shot at Mar-a-Lago; Minneapolis gun permit surge following ICE-related violence; Iran strikes deepen domestic community divisions; ACA deductibles projected to hit $31,000; Medicaid suspension and SNAP cuts disrupt health and food access for low-income Americans.
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Paramount's Warner Bros. acquisition places CNN editorial independence in question; Senate Democrats opened formal investigation into CBS over blocked Colbert interview; NYT fact-check found Trump's Iran justifications "false or unproven"; White House distributed fabricated AI video of hockey star Brady Tkachuk.
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Democrats staged largest SOTU presidential address boycott on record; Rep. Al Green ejected for second consecutive year; Idaho legislator permitted to testify in brownface; Wisconsin legislator criminally charged after colleague conflict. Party development stable with active primaries on both sides but inter-party civility at a documented low.
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
DHS partial shutdown enters second week; TSA workers miss consecutive pay cycles; World Cup host cities report $625M in security funding frozen; classified report finds Noem created airport security vulnerabilities; Senate testimony warns "something has gone seriously wrong in the FDA." Regulatory Systems stable with mixed agency signals.
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
European allies distanced from Iran strikes; EU paused US trade deal vote after 15% replacement tariff; China warned it would respond "firmly"; Chinese labs alleged to have used 24,000 fake accounts to extract US tech. Partially offset by states successfully resisting federal enforcement overreach (+1 Sub-national Autonomy).
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Pentagon compelled Scouting America to abandon DEI and restrict transgender youth as a condition of military affiliation; EEOC shifted bathroom policy mandate; park ranger fired for transgender flag at Yosemite. Elderly refugee found dead after Border Patrol release; 911 calls document sick children in ICE detention; SOTU polling shows 61% view Trump as "erratic with age."
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
DOJ withheld and removed Epstein files related to Trump; IRS illegally shared 42,695 taxpayer addresses with ICE; DOE secretly rewrote nuclear safety rules without public notice; Jack Smith classified documents report permanently sealed; Pentagon banned Anthropic for refusing to remove AI safety guardrails, with OpenAI filling the gap without restrictions.
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Iran strikes launched without congressional authorization; Trump told Congress "no action necessary" on replacement tariffs; executive privilege invoked to block whistleblower intelligence from lawmakers; House oversight devolved when a member leaked a photo from a closed-door session. Partially offset by SCOTUS tariff ruling (+1 Judicial Review).
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
SCOTUS tariff ruling halted hundreds of billions in revenue; replacement 15% global tariff imposed within hours; oil prices surged after Iran strikes; Pentagon warned of missile stockpile sustainability risks; polio vaccine advisory panel questioning childhood shots raised public health and scientific norm concerns.
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
FBI purged agents tied to Jan. 6 and Mar-a-Lago; DHS used biometric surveillance to track civilian observers; DOJ official warned courts to "stay in their lane"; Pentagon watchdog stalled boat strike review; intelligence community blocked Congress from whistleblower intelligence about the Director of National Intelligence.
Democracy Dashboard
Week of February 16–22, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions • 2,059 Articles Analyzed
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions • 2,059 Articles Analyzed
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
6
Signaling Progress
20
Signaling Concern
13
Stable
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
FCC selective enforcement along political lines, DOJ firings overriding judicial panel appointments, CIA revising 19 intelligence assessments under politically-appointed board, and a large presidential banner installed at DOJ headquarters
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Supreme Court struck down IEEPA-based tariffs; administration reimposed 10% global tariffs same day using alternative authorities, escalating to 15% within 24 hours — tariff rates ended the week higher than before the ruling
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
CBS declined to air interview citing FCC fears; four journalists detained in Cameroon covering US deportations; foundational press protection New York Times v. Sullivan reportedly at risk of Supreme Court revisitation
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
President called Supreme Court justices "disloyal to the Constitution"; DOJ fired interim U.S. Attorney within hours of judicial panel appointment; 52 court order violations documented in New Jersey immigration enforcement alone
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Historic vehicle emission standards ended; EPA repealed Biden-era mercury standards; FDA retreated from artificial food color ban; TSA PreCheck suspended then reversed under pressure; 41,000 Coast Guard members set to miss paychecks
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Federal judge condemned "terror against noncitizens"; FBI opened criminal investigation into ICE arrest resulting in skull fractures; Army veteran detained three days without legal access; British tourist with valid visa detained six days
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Simultaneous redistricting battles in Virginia, Maryland, Utah, and New York; Arizona bill would permit ICE at polling locations; SAVE Act would require documentary citizenship proof to register; bipartisan NC voter rolls settlement a genuine positive
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Armed incidents at Capitol steps; elected official made Islamophobic statements; federal immigration enforcement surge transformed Minneapolis-St. Paul neighborhoods into "ghost towns" as residents organized community patrol networks
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
DOGE's full restructuring effects "may never be known" due to documented opacity; Epstein files release process remained selective; positive signal: administration directed release of UFO and extraterrestrial files
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Maryland ICE cooperation ban faces sheriff workarounds; Governor Shapiro called federal enforcement "unconstitutional missions"; US-Iran nuclear talks produced reported progress; Russia pressing hardline demands at Ukraine peace talks
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Supreme Court's 6-3 IEEPA tariff ruling (+2) offset by same-day executive circumvention and president calling justices "disloyal to the Constitution" (-3); Congress introduced bipartisan war powers resolution and rejected most DOGE spending cuts (+1)
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Student walkouts expanded across four states; nurses' strike reached negotiated settlement; DOJ protest prosecutions collapsed when courts found officers had provided false testimony
Party Politics
→ Stable (0)
Texas Democrats launched $30M campaign; California Democrats convened national strategy; DNC purchased Harris donor list for $6.5M signaling financial pressure; Trump withdrew endorsement from GOP representative over insufficient tariff support
Democracy Dashboard
Week of February 9–15, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions • 2,210 Articles Analyzed
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions • 2,210 Articles Analyzed
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details and key articles
5
Signaling Progress
20
Signaling Concern
14
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Mass grassroots mobilization against ICE operations — high school walkouts, 900+ Google worker petitions, nationwide whistle protests, and San Francisco's first teacher strike in nearly 50 years — demonstrates robust democratic participation. Civil society organizations actively held both government and corporations accountable.
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Federal courts actively enforced constitutional constraints across immigration enforcement, electoral data access, and religious freedom. Both Trump-appointed and Obama-appointed judges blocked administration overreach, demonstrating judicial independence across the political spectrum.
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Bipartisan congressional access to unredacted Epstein files advanced transparency, with Rep. Khanna correcting misinformation about four men falsely implicated. Democrats also pushed for oversight of Venezuelan oil revenue being controlled outside regular appropriations and legal scrutiny.
Party Politics
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Competitive primaries in Texas and New Jersey — including a Sanders/AOC-backed progressive upset over an establishment candidate — demonstrate active internal democratic processes and grassroots organizing capacity in both parties ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
President Trump explicitly threatened voter ID requirements "whether approved by Congress or not," directly bypassing constitutional authority over elections. FBI operations in Fulton County, GA were based on debunked Stop the Steal claims, and a court blocked early voting sites at North Carolina universities — creating compounding threats to electoral integrity.
Executive Operations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
DNI Gabbard's office blocked whistleblower briefings to Congress on a classified complaint involving foreign nationals discussing Jared Kushner. The DOJ moved to erase Bannon's contempt conviction, the Labor Department severed ties with the ABA, and Commerce Secretary Lutnick faced bipartisan resignation calls after confirming he visited Epstein's island.
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Federal immigration enforcement overrode state sanctuary laws across multiple jurisdictions — including deep-red Idaho — while foreign funding of U.S. advocacy groups and universities drew congressional scrutiny. Secretary Rubio's warmer tone at Munich offered some diplomatic reassurance, offset by ongoing structural restructuring of alliances.
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Documented ICE detention conditions drew severe criticism. The administration removed the Pride flag from Stonewall National Monument. The presidential account shared racist imagery of the Obamas as apes with no disciplinary response. Trump disinvited Democratic governors from a purportedly bipartisan White House event.
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Concurrent antisemitic incidents, LGBTQ+ symbolic exclusion, racial dehumanization from the presidential account, and transgender athlete debates all signal fragmentation of shared democratic norms. Partisan health funding cuts and California billionaires relocating to avoid wealth taxes deepened structural inequality.
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
EPA repealed its 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding — the legal basis for federal climate regulation — driven by political preference rather than new evidence. National economic security faces vulnerabilities from a China-linked SpaceX probe and stalled Iran talks. Liberal markets showed mixed signals: the House tariff repeal vote is largely symbolic with no practical effect as the tariffs remain in place.
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
The third partial government shutdown in recent months reflects severe appropriations dysfunction; Congress left for a 10-day recess with no resolution path. Executive Precedent worsened as Trump asserted authority over midterm elections, blocked an international bridge for trade leverage, and directed military energy purchases by executive order. Maxwell stonewalled the House Oversight Committee on Epstein.
Functional Governance
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
The DHS shutdown left 85% of FEMA staff unpaid and restricted the Coast Guard to life-threatening emergencies only, while TSA agents worked without pay nationwide. The EPA's repeal of its greenhouse gas finding dismantled the legal basis for federal climate regulation. Eighteen homeless individuals died in a NYC cold snap, exposing compounding municipal and federal crisis response failures.
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Don Lemon faces federal prosecution for covering an anti-ICE protest, with video evidence contradicting key charges. The FBI searched a Washington Post reporter's home under a gag order. The FBI's Fulton County raid was driven by debunked election denial claims. Trump's cumulative $65 billion in media lawsuits since 2024 creates broad chilling effects across broadcaster editorial independence.
Stable This Week
→ Stable (0)
Three dimensions showed offsetting signals with no net change: Intergovernmental Cooperation (warmer Munich Security Conference tone offset by alliance restructuring); Inter-Party Deliberation (bipartisan Epstein file cooperation offset by AG Bondi's combative hearing taunts); Civic Culture (Super Bowl and Olympics generated engagement but remained politically polarized). Eleven additional factors showed minimal newsworthy developments.
Individual Factor Scores
-3-2-10+1+2
Key Developments
Democracy Dashboard
Week of February 2-8, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
4
Signaling Progress
19
Signaling Concern
16
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Citizens demonstrated exceptional mobilization capacity with sustained protests and high-profile cultural activism amplifying calls for democratic engagement
Party Politics
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Democratic Socialists reached 100,000 members while both major parties invested in midterm infrastructure and voter outreach
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Supreme Court exercised judicial review on redistricting while executive expanded military action without authorization
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Courts demonstrated accountability with Routh sentencing and blocked immigration overreach, but faced efforts to eliminate appeals
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Epstein investigation closure and FBI seizure of election records raised transparency concerns despite some document releases
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Trade agreements strengthened security but Pentagon severed Harvard ties and immigration enforcement disrupted markets
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Federal raid on Fulton County and Trump's call to "nationalize" elections raised alarm about state-administered election integrity
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Government shutdown disrupted services while healthcare access barriers and welfare misuse indicated delivery challenges
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Federal pressure on state election administration combined with funding cuts and immigration tensions strained federalism
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Washington Post eliminated one-third of workforce while FCC probed ABC and government officials spread misinformation
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Political violence against officials, community divisions over enforcement, and economic inequality concerns fractured social cohesion
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Severe civic culture fragmentation over national identity combined with DEI rollbacks and immigration detention concerns
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
OPM finalized rules to fire 50,000 workers while oversight bodies faced pressure and agencies served political objectives
Democracy Dashboard
Week of January 26 - February 1, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
6
Signaling Progress
15
Signaling Concern
18
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+3)
Sustained protest movements achieved federal policy changes in Minnesota and Maine, with civil society accountability functioning across ideological lines
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Epstein files disclosure of 3.5M pages and Army's $5.6B Salesforce modernization with proven TSA security effectiveness
Functional Governance
⚖️ Stable (0) - Mixed Reviews
FAA aviation safety improvements balanced against FEMA aid threats during winter storm response
Sovereign Relations
⚖️ Stable (0) - Mixed Reviews
Local governments secured federal withdrawals but trade tensions strained alliance relationships with key partners
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Courts vigorously blocking illegal government actions while ICE systematically violated 96 court orders and Utah court-packing raised independence concerns
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Congressional shutdown threats over ICE funding with Rep. Omar physically attacked at town hall event
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
FBI seized 2020 election ballots five years post-transfer with DNI Gabbard leading investigation into settled election
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Executive expanded emergency powers for Cuba tariffs and military operations without congressional notification
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
DHS documented pattern of false claims while Holocaust Museum condemned inflammatory historical distortions
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Explicit "divided America" framing with competing patriotic narratives and antisemitic hate crime vehicle attack in NYC
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Texas A&M canceled gender studies programs while trade agreement instability threatened strategic partnerships
Executive Operations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Political appointee Tom Homan superseded career leadership while DOJ continued investigating Rep. Omar's finances
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
5-year-old boy detained in Texas with refugees facing arrest despite proper legal status completion
Democracy Dashboard
Week of January 19-25, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Signaling Progress
23
Signaling Concern
13
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Civil society oversight and popular mobilization surge offset by declining citizen confidence in government guidance
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Redistricting battles requiring court intervention offset normal primary processes continuing
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Immigration regulatory framework shows enforcement without adequate Congressional input; winter storm impacts service delivery
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
DOJ fails to release Epstein files one month past deadline despite congressional mandate
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Government shutdown threats over ICE shooting, inflammatory rhetoric calling for arrests, House votes to hold Clintons in contempt
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
DOJ attempted prosecution of Don Lemon over church protest, fact-checking reveals misinformation, though courts provided press freedom protection
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Federal judge shooting, church service disruption, community breakdown requiring FBI deployment and military troops on alert
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Greenland territorial expansion push linked to Nobel rejection, war powers tensions, Insurrection Act threats, government shutdown leverage replacing deliberative processes
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Federal troops on alert for Minnesota, Greenland diplomatic crisis with tariff threats against Denmark and EU, TikTok deal shows progress on external influence
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Tariff weaponization against allies, deportation attempts against students for political speech though courts provide protection, market volatility from policy unpredictability
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
DOJ investigation of Fed Chair Powell while Supreme Court deliberates on Governor Cook firing, selective prosecution targeting protesters while refusing ICE investigation
Legal System
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Federal judge shooting creates judicial intimidation, warrantless immigration enforcement targeting U.S. citizens, courts show deference to executive
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-6)
Constitutional rights violations through warrantless ICE enforcement, systematic DEI rollbacks, erosion of civic culture with MLK Day violence
Democracy Dashboard
Week of January 12-18, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
5
Signaling Progress
18
Signaling Concern
16
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Civil society oversight achieved legal victories and contentious politics mobilized sustained peaceful assembly, while citizen engagement remained stable
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Rule of law enforced constitutional limits through multiple judicial victories, while judicial independence and impartial access to justice remained stable
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Legislative processes advanced through bipartisan cooperation, but executive precedent showed concerning expansion and judicial review remained stable
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Sub-national autonomy strengthened through state legal resistance, but intergovernmental cooperation deteriorated significantly while external influence remained stable
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Service delivery required judicial intervention, regulatory systems weakened through framework dismantling, while crisis response remained stable
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Open data obligations unmet, digital efficiency raised safety concerns, while digital democracy remained stable
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Information integrity collapsed with narrative fragmentation, journalists faced intimidation pressures, while media freedom and plurality remained stable
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Social cohesion experienced severe breakdown in Minneapolis, while economic inequality and horizontal equity remained stable
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Respect for human rights eroded through enforcement overreach, civic culture weakened from divisive rhetoric, and inclusion of diverse voices faced legal pressure
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
National economic security weakened significantly, liberal markets faced intervention pressures, and freedom of inquiry experienced funding threats
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-6)
Independence of oversight bodies faced unprecedented interference, agency politicization intensified, and civil service professionalism eroded through systematic removals
Electoral Processes
→ Stable (0)
Electoral process validity, campaign finance, and nonviolent transfers of power all maintained routine operations with no significant changes
Party Politics
→ Stable (0)
Inter-party deliberation, political party development, and party system plurality all showed no significant changes this week
Democracy Dashboard
Week of January 5-11, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Signs of Progress
17
Signs of Concern
19
Stable
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Rule of Law (+1): Courts block executive overreach maintaining constitutional constraints
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Contentious Politics (+1): Multi-city protests demonstrate robust civic engagement
Economic Ecosystem
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Liberal Markets (0): Tax competitiveness gains balanced against government market interventions
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Electoral Process Validity (-1): Redistricting battles, voter roll disputes
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Regulatory Systems (-1): CDC vaccine changes, child care funding rule reversals
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Media Freedom (-1), Information Integrity (-1): CPB dissolution, AI safety concerns
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Executive Precedent (-3) offset by Legislative Processes (+1): Unprecedented executive expansion despite congressional oversight
Democratic Norms
🚨 Moderate Concern (-3)
Respect for Human Rights (-2), Inclusion (-1): ICE shooting fatality, detention expansion, DEI rollbacks
Executive Operations
🚨 Moderate Concern (-4)
Agency Politicization (-2), Independence of Oversight Bodies (-2): DOJ run from White House, Fed Chair under investigation
Social Dynamics
🚨 Moderate Concern (-4)
Social Cohesion (-2), Horizontal Equity (-1), Economic Inequality (-1): Community divisions, funding disparities
Sovereign Relations
🚨 Significant Concern (-6)
Intergovernmental Cooperation (-3), Sub-national Autonomy (-2), External Influence (-1): NATO tensions, federal-state conflicts
Party Politics
→ Stable (0)
Mixed dynamics: Bipartisan cooperation on select issues amid partisan tensions
Modern Open Government
→ Stable (0)
All three factors stable with minimal newsworthy developments
Democracy Dashboard
Week of December 29, 2025 - January 4, 2026
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
7
Signaling Progress
19
Signaling Concern
13
Stable
Legal System
✅ Minor Improvement (+3)
Courts actively checking executive overreach through constitutional enforcement
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Improvement (+2)
Citizens exercising democratic rights through peaceful assembly and coordinated political action
Party Politics
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Third-party development and democratic socialist electoral success demonstrating party system plurality
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
Major transparency advances with Epstein files legislation despite implementation challenges
Economic Ecosystem
✅ Minor Improvement (+1)
$50 billion rural healthcare investment and liberal markets resilient despite tariff threats
Media Infrastructure
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Press freedom erosion balanced against editorial independence demonstrations
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Registration irregularities and transfer legitimacy concerns despite peaceful transitions
Constitutional Balance
⚠️ Minor Decline (-2)
Executive precedent violations offset by Supreme Court blocking National Guard deployments
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Civic culture fragmentation and human rights violations in ICE custody
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Decline (-1)
Service delivery challenges and crisis preparedness concerns offset by some improvements
Executive Operations
🚨 Moderate Decline (-3)
Systematic agency politicization and federal-state financial coercion
Sovereign Relations
🚨 Moderate Decline (-3)
Venezuela operation damaged Latin American alliances despite positive Israel/Ukraine engagement
Social Dynamics
🚨 Moderate Decline (-2)
Minnesota fraud scandal escalated to ethnic targeting; NYC inauguration polarization
Other Dimensions
→ Stable
Several dimensions showing minimal change with routine activities
Democracy Dashboard
Week of December 22-28, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
6
Signaling Progress
18
Signaling Concern
15
Stable
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Federal courts consistently enforced constitutional standards, blocking illegal actions and requiring due process protections
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Strong civic engagement through volunteer traditions and political mobilization across the spectrum
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚖️ Mixed Signals (-1)
Supreme Court blocked Chicago deployment (+1) but circumvention followed via executive precedent (-2)
Economic Ecosystem
⚖️ Mixed Signals (-1)
Strong GDP growth and market performance (+1) offset by offshore wind halts and academic freedom pressures (-2)
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Declining inter-party civility with blocked bipartisan bills and heated exchanges
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Anti-Somali targeting, economic inequality persisting despite GDP growth
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Redistricting battles intensifying ahead of 2026 midterms with dark money flows in state races
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Press freedom faced government visa restrictions, license threats, and AI-generated propaganda
Executive Operations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Record ICE detention levels, "make raids go viral" strategies, mass ambassador recalls
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Human rights enforcement concerns including deportations without due process, targeting of diverse voices
Functional Governance
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Holiday storm emergency responses tested, offshore wind halts, campus security failures
Sovereign Relations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Constitutional circumvention through jurisdiction-shopping, allied relationships strained over Greenland
Modern Open Government
→ Stable (0)
All three factors stable with no significant movement this week
Democracy Dashboard
Week of December 15-21, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Signaling Progress
20
Signaling Concern
16
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Citizens exercised democratic rights through peaceful assembly and community organizing against ICE enforcement
Modern Open Government
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Tech Force AI initiative advanced modernization but transparency failures on boat strike video and Epstein files
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Campaign finance influenced by billionaires despite courts identifying redistricting violations
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Federal courts enforced some constitutional constraints but judicial independence threatened by Wisconsin judge conviction
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Academic freedom under pressure and crisis response capacity absent during multi-state disasters
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
State resistance to federal authority offset by federal enforcement proceeding regardless
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Both parties demonstrated organizational dysfunction - Democrats suppressed election autopsy, Republicans experiencing factional control battles
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Political exploitation of tragedy, domestic terrorism threats, and economic pressures on middle-class families
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Human rights violations in immigration enforcement and diversity rollbacks across government institutions
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Press freedom faced direct legal pressure through $10B BBC lawsuit and FCC independence challenges
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Academic freedom under coordinated pressure and tariffs distorting markets while choking small manufacturers
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Concern (-4)
Federal agencies directed toward partisan objectives with workforce disruption and political targeting
Constitutional Balance of Power
🚨 Significant Concern (-4)
Executive precedent expanded through Venezuelan blockade and legislative oversight capacity significantly weakened
Democracy Dashboard
Week of December 8-14, 2025 • Policies to Restrict Citizen Participation Gain Ground
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
5
Signaling Progress
19
Signaling Concern
15
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Civil society oversight and popular mobilization demonstrating healthy democratic accountability
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Federal courts demonstrating active constitutional enforcement with improved access to justice
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Government transparency advancing through Epstein document releases and DHS immigration data disclosure
Electoral Processes
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Federal oversight efforts and redistricting rejections balanced against pardons undermining election accountability
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Executive departures from constitutional norms through unauthorized military actions and state law preemption
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Inter-party deliberation limited by partisan gridlock despite some bipartisan cooperation on civil service protections
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Service delivery challenges with healthcare subsidy debates and regulatory framework shifts under executive direction
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Press freedom facing systematic challenges through employment pressure, political attacks, and media ownership concentration
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Social cohesion strained through campus antisemitism and immigration enforcement tensions; economic inequality showing competing pressures
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Academic freedom challenged by campus violence while economic security faces trade policy vulnerabilities
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Inclusion mechanisms weakened across all sectors; civic culture stressed by identity-based conflicts
Sovereign Relations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Federal-state redistricting battles, AI regulation preemption, and international cooperation challenges
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Oversight bodies facing political pressure; systematic agency politicization across federal departments
Democracy Dashboard
Week of December 1-7, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
19
Signaling Concern
18
Stable
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Federal courts actively enforced constitutional constraints, blocking warrantless arrests and illegal funding cuts
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Epstein grand jury documents released, enforcement statistics published enabling oversight
Civic Participation
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Community organizing and labor victories balanced against pepper-spraying of elected official during protests
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Social Security proposes 50% field office visit cuts, national parks eliminate MLK Day and Juneteenth free entry
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
President demanded partisan loyalty in exchange for clemency, publicly attacking pardoned Democrat for not switching parties
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Supreme Court approved Texas gerrymandering adding 5 GOP seats, coordinated multi-state redistricting under presidential pressure
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Northwestern paid $75M to end federal probes, China maintains critical mineral dominance, affordability crisis worsens
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Voice of America overseas offices closing, Pentagon press restrictions prompt NYT lawsuit, bias tip line launched
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
USDA threatens SNAP withholding from blue states, federal operations proceed without local consultation
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Venezuela strikes without congressional authorization, controversial pardons including drug trafficking conviction
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
National Guard shooting, bomb threats against Senate offices, antisemitic incidents, partisan institutional distrust at record levels
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Multiple agencies serving partisan objectives, immigration judges fired, Federal Reserve chair search politicized
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Warrantless immigration arrests, ethnic targeting of Somali community, LGBTQ prison protections eliminated
Democracy Dashboard
Week of November 24-30, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Signaling Progress
23
Signaling Concern
13
Stable
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Courts dismissed politically motivated prosecutions, demonstrating judicial independence and constitutional review
Civic Participation
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Citizens mobilized through protests and boycotts while civil society oversight faced pressure
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Congressional oversight functioning but Venezuela military operations and executive precedent concerns persist
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Georgia 2020 case dismissed while multi-state redistricting battles create electoral uncertainty
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Medicare premium increases, USPS service concerns, and asylum freeze crisis response raise service delivery questions
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Presidential verbal attacks on reporters, BBC lawsuit pressure, and AP access restrictions affect press independence
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
FBI investigations of "Seditious Six," MTG resignation pressure, and partisan blame for National Guard shooting
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Continued National Guard deployment in DC, SNAP benefit litigation, mixed international cooperation signals
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
National Guard shooting, ICE-citizen tensions, and economic inequality concerns affect democratic foundations
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Northwestern settlement demonstrates federal pressure on universities while tariff and rare earth vulnerabilities persist
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
DOJ supporting partisan redistricting, Pentagon investigating Senator Kelly, and 317,000 federal jobs shed
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Asylum freeze, competing Thanksgiving narratives, and Pentagon-Scouting America severance affect civic norms
Modern Open Government
→ Stable (0)
Trump financial disclosure transparency functioning while Epstein files pressure continues
Democracy Trends Dashboard
Week of November 17-23, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👉 Tap any dimension card to see detailed factor analysis and news articles 👈
5
Signaling Progress
21
Signaling Concern
13
Stable
Dimensions: 2 Progress • 2 Mixed • 8 Concern • 1 Stable
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Congressional transparency action on Epstein files and continued data releases demonstrate institutional effectiveness.
Sovereign Relations
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Trump-Mamdani meeting showed improved federal-state consultation alongside effective legal resistance and international cooperation.
Civic Participation
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Robust civic mobilization across multiple issues balanced by government pressure on civil society organizations.
Legal System
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Strong judicial oversight blocking illegal actions offset by access to justice concerns and prosecutorial misconduct.
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Trade policy adjustments and mixed economic signals offset by academic freedom pressures and research funding cuts.
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
FEMA leadership instability, service delivery challenges, and emergency management concerns reflect governance strain.
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Direct presidential hostility toward journalists, broadcast license threats, and regulatory probes against media outlets.
Electoral Processes
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Redistricting battles, fraud allegations, campaign finance violations, and reduced federal election security monitoring.
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Widespread agency politicization, political direction over institutional missions, and pressure on independent oversight bodies.
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Executive precedent violations, military actions without authorization, and legislative dysfunction despite some judicial checks.
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
8,000% increase in threats to federal officers, community tensions from enforcement operations, and widening healthcare disparities.
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Systematic rollbacks of diversity policies, redefinition of civil rights priorities, and declining civic unity across geographic divides.
Party Politics
→ Stable (0)
Cross-party tensions continued alongside bipartisan legislation on Epstein files and shutdown recovery measures.
Democracy Dashboard
Week of November 10–16, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
17
Signaling Concern
20
Stable
Individual Factor Movements
-3-2-1
0+1+2+3
Key Developments
Democracy Dashboard
Week of November 3-9, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
10
Signaling Concern
1
Stable
Electoral Processes
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Electoral transitions proceeded smoothly with successful elections demonstrating healthy democratic processes
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Federal courts enforced constitutional limits against government overreach demonstrating judicial independence
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
High civic participation with extensive voter mobilization and strong turnout demonstrating robust democratic engagement
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
International relationships showed strain with unilateral approaches including military action threats and G20 boycott
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Congressional dysfunction with record-breaking shutdown and paralyzed negotiations despite growing economic costs
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Institutional pressure on media organizations and misinformation proliferating around critical government programs
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Inter-party relations deteriorated with government channels engaging in partisan trolling rather than good-faith negotiation
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Government data transparency disrupted as shutdown prevented publication of key economic indicators including jobs report
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Immigration enforcement continued with enhanced surveillance and refugee program cuts prioritizing applications by race
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Agencies directed to serve political purposes with Education Department partisan messaging ruled unconstitutional and FBI facing retaliatory changes
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Trade conflicts reshaping economic security with Canada's economy buckling under tariffs and market freedom constrained by dysfunction
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Social tensions escalated with political violence normalized and SNAP crisis creating hardship for 42 million Americans
Functional Governance
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Federal service delivery disrupted with SNAP cuts, unpaid workers attending food drives, and essential functions compromised
Democracy Dashboard
Week of October 27–November 2, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
4
Signaling Progress
20
Signaling Concern
15
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Strong civic engagement through volunteer mobilization and civil society oversight
Legal System
→ Stable (0)
Courts checking government overreach while barriers emerged for detained immigrants
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Strategic supply chain progress offset by inequality and market intervention concerns
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Mid-cycle redistricting efforts raising concerns about electoral manipulation
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Shutdown demonstrating failure of inter-party deliberation mechanisms
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Journalists facing safety threats and government pressure from multiple directions
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Government services breakdown affecting millions with SNAP benefits paused
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Federal overreach and dysfunction forcing states into emergency action
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Immigration enforcement intensified with effects on vulnerable populations
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Multiple violent incidents and inequitable distribution of shutdown hardship
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Extended shutdown and expansion of executive authority beyond constraints
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Concern (-7)
Systematic dismantling of oversight and agency conversion into political tools
Modern Open Government
→ Stable (0)
Digital services and open data initiatives with business as usual operations
Democracy Dashboard
Week of October 20-26, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
4
Signaling Progress
15
Signaling Concern
20
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Civil society pursuing legal challenges and grassroots coordination while creative protest tactics demonstrate robust democratic participation
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Courts independently reviewing executive actions across jurisdictions with mixed outcomes based on legal merits
Sovereign Relations
→ Stable (0)
State autonomy demonstrated through legal challenges offset by contentious international diplomacy
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Partisan redistricting battles escalating with both parties pursuing electoral advantages through aggressive map manipulation
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Endemic inflammatory rhetoric and identity-based accusations replacing substantive policy debate across political spectrum
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Civil rights protections challenged and educational content under pressure with immigration enforcement raising constitutional concerns
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Tariff policies creating market distortions, ranchers opposing Argentine beef imports, companies warning of price increases
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Executive testing boundaries with Guard deployments and self-compensation claims as Congress fails constitutional duties
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Agencies used for political purposes, Pentagon restricting congressional access while federal workforce stressed
Functional Governance
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Government shutdown Day 24 creating cascading failures: 41 million facing SNAP cutoffs, flight delays, nuclear security compromised
Media Infrastructure
→ Stable (0)
No significant developments in media freedom, journalist safety, or information integrity this week
Party Politics
→ Stable (0)
Legislative paralysis continues but no significant changes in party dynamics this week
Modern Open Government
→ Stable (-1)
Digital democracy concerns with platform transparency offset by stable open data practices
Democracy Dashboard
Week of October 13-19, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
4
Signaling Progress
18
Signaling Concern
17
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+3)
No Kings protests drew millions while unions and civil society mobilized effectively
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Courts blocked layoffs and deployments, though justice access remains mixed
Economic Ecosystem
⚖️ Mixed Reviews (0)
Liberal markets offset by trade war pressures and mixed university signals
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Social Security delays and data privacy concerns
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Louisiana moves to change election schedule ahead of Supreme Court ruling
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Ten failed Senate votes reveal partisan blame-shifting over compromise
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Gaza/Ukraine diplomatic collapses alongside federal-state Guard tensions
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Shutdown degrades services, FEMA capacity, and regulatory oversight
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Executive spending memo and legislative gridlock strain separation of powers
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Violent ICE tactics and due process concerns alongside social cohesion threats
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Terrorism charges, violence polling, and unequal shutdown impacts strain communities
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Concern (-6)
Bolton indictment, mass layoffs, and systematic agency politicization
Media Infrastructure
→ Stable (0)
No significant changes to media freedom or information integrity
Democracy Dashboard
Week of October 6-12, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
20
Signaling Concern
17
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Civil society oversight and popular mobilization demonstrated democratic accountability capacity despite institutional pressure
Legal System
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Courts demonstrated constitutional review capacity with contradictory rulings, judicial independence under rhetorical pressure
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Federal intervention in state authority offset by diplomatic breakthrough with Israel-Hamas peace deal
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Journalist detentions during enforcement coverage, federal pressure on Pentagon press access
Electoral Processes
🔸 Moderate Concern (-2)
Multiple concurrent challenges to electoral integrity from mid-decade redistricting to voting access restrictions
Party Politics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-2)
Complete breakdown in inter-party cooperation led directly to government shutdown
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-2)
Social divisions along identity lines, vulnerable populations facing access challenges
Modern Open Government
🔸 Moderate Concern (-2)
Data integrity concerns, surveillance of civic participation, and systematic information withholding
Functional Governance
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Service delivery challenges from shutdown while major environmental and health regulatory rollbacks advanced
Democratic Norms
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Human rights enforcement concerns with immigration operations and targeting of Black women leaders
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Strategic confrontation with China escalated, massive farmer bailouts replacing market mechanisms
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Threats to invoke Insurrection Act, legislative failure to fund government, and mixed judicial signals
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Concern (-5)
Systematic agency politicization, mass federal workforce cuts, and political influence over oversight bodies
Democracy Dashboard
Week of September 29-October 5, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
3
Signaling Progress
15
Signaling Concern
21
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Citizens exercised democratic rights through protests and legal mobilization, while labor unions maintained accountability functions
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Federal courts blocked executive overreach across multiple domains, maintaining constitutional checks on government power
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Federal authorities demanded voter data from eight states while redistricting battles threatened fair representation
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Federal deployment to Portland without state consent, unilateral military strikes on Venezuela, funding weaponization against blue states
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Week-long government shutdown disrupted federal services, with 750,000 workers furloughed and aviation safety inspections delayed
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Tariff policies distorted markets, universities faced federal pressure over political compliance, Venezuela relations deteriorated
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Civil rights enforcement faced pressure, diversity policies became justification for funding cuts, church shooting threatened social trust
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Congress failed fundamental funding responsibility with sustained shutdown; House left town until Oct 14 without resolution
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-6)
150,000+ federal workers ended service in historic mass exodus, while agencies increasingly served partisan objectives
Media Infrastructure
→ Stable (0)
No significant developments in press freedom, media plurality, or information integrity this week
Party Politics
→ Stable (0)
Routine party operations continued with no major changes to party development or system plurality
Modern Open Government
→ Stable (0)
Standard government operations maintained with no significant changes to transparency or digital systems
Social Dynamics
→ Stable (0)
No major shifts in social cohesion, economic inequality, or horizontal equity beyond routine developments
Democracy Dashboard
Week of September 22-28, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
18
Signaling Concern
19
Stable
Economic Ecosystem
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Robust private sector with Nvidia's $100B OpenAI investment and upward economic growth
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Courts blocked Trump actions including offshore wind halt
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Federal involvement in state redistricting with Trump-backed maps
Modern Open Government
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
USDA canceled food insecurity survey amid data quality concerns
Civic Participation
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Civil society targeting offset strong mobilization; antifa designation may chill dissent
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Broadcast affiliates boycotted Kimmel despite reinstatement
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Trump canceled shutdown negotiations amid record retirements
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
School districts lost $65M over DEI; Kirk memorial merged religion and politics
Constitutional Balance of Power
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Antifa designated terrorist group; Venezuela strikes without authorization
Sovereign Relations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Federal troops to Memphis/Portland; Colombian visa revoked
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Dallas ICE shooting killed detainee with partisan blame cycle
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Concern (-7)
Court allowed FTC firing; 8 IGs terminated; 100K+ workers resigned
Functional Governance
→ Stable (0)
Routine operations with no significant changes
Democracy Dashboard
Week of September 15-21, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
2
Signaling Progress
18
Signaling Concern
19
Stable
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Federal and state courts demonstrated continued effectiveness as constitutional checks on government power, blocking executive overreach while maintaining judicial independence despite political pressure
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Citizens exercised democratic rights through large-scale peaceful mobilization across the political spectrum, from Charlie Kirk memorials to voter drives to democracy marches
Modern Open Government
→ Mixed Signals (0)
Contradictory transparency trends with expanded surveillance data collection offset by restricted investigative access and disrupted public health tracking
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Electoral processes functioning but with escalating manipulation tactics including nationalized redistricting and election deniers securing local board positions
Economic Ecosystem
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Government intervention in markets increased while campus speech restrictions affected research funding, though some positive initiatives continue
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Deep polarization following Kirk assassination with competing visions of unity while civic education becomes increasingly partisan rather than pluralistic
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Federal program disruptions affected health and education service delivery while regulatory changes created market confusion across multiple sectors
Social Dynamics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Charlie Kirk assassination highlighted deep fractures in American social cohesion extending across political, religious, and identity lines
Media Infrastructure
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Physical threats against journalists escalated alongside government regulatory pressure, creating dual assault on press freedom through violence and institutional intimidation
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Immigration enforcement operations generated international scrutiny while free speech restrictions escalated following the Kirk assassination
Executive Operations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Federal agencies increasingly coordinated with political objectives while oversight bodies faced ongoing pressure despite court protections
Constitutional Balance of Power
🚨 Significant Concern (-5)
Massive expansion of presidential emergency powers and systematic undermining of legislative deliberation through nuclear option confirmations and emergency deployments
Sovereign Relations
🚨 Significant Concern (-5)
Federal military intervention in local law enforcement represents systematic erosion of federalism while foreign adversaries exploit political divisions through disinformation campaigns
Democracy Dashboard
Week of September 8-14, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
6
Signaling Progress
18
Signaling Concern
15
Stable
Functional Governance
✅ Minor Progress (+2)
Government crisis response systems and regulatory oversight functioned effectively despite broader institutional pressures
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Active citizen mobilization including Free DC organizing and memorial vigils demonstrating civic engagement despite institutional pressure
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Congressional transparency efforts succeeded in obtaining government documents, demonstrating effective oversight mechanisms
Party Politics
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Congressional civility deteriorated with partisan tensions disrupting basic legislative courtesy during national mourning
Legal System
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Mixed outcomes with courts blocking executive overreach while barriers to justice access increased for vulnerable populations
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Trump-backed redistricting in Missouri created additional GOP seats through gerrymandering outside normal cycles
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Large-scale immigration enforcement affecting due process while restrictions on transgender rights and diversity programs expanded
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Mixed signals with effective legislative oversight but concerning Supreme Court expansion of executive enforcement powers
Sovereign Relations
⚠️ Minor Concern (-3)
Mixed federal-local authority conflicts with some local resistance but concerning federal override patterns testing constitutional limits
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Charlie Kirk assassination represents significant breakdown in democratic norms with political violence becoming routine feature of American life
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
AI-generated misinformation flooded platforms rapidly after major events while journalist safety concerns emerged from political violence
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Academic freedom restrictions combined with economic partnerships facing pressure from enforcement priorities and strategic competition
Executive Operations
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
Supreme Court enabled political removal of independent agency commissioners while federal agencies engaged in politicized enforcement priorities
Democracy Dashboard
Week of September 1-7, 2025
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
39 Factors • 13 Dimensions
👆 Tap any colored dimension to explore details
5
Signaling Progress
15
Signaling Concern
19
Stable
Civic Participation
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Citizens engaged across generations in Labor Day protests, DC autonomy rallies, and campus activism
Legal System
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Federal courts effectively blocked unlawful deportations and executive overreach through constitutional review
Modern Open Government
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Major Epstein document releases demonstrate effective congressional transparency
Party Politics
✅ Minor Progress (+1)
Strong bipartisan cooperation on Epstein files, RFK Jr. concerns, and stock trading reforms
Sovereign Relations
⚖️ Mixed Signals (0)
Local autonomy successes balance Shanghai Cooperation Organization rival coordination
Functional Governance
⚠️ Minor Concern (-1)
Service delivery disruptions in health agencies despite stable crisis response
Constitutional Balance of Power
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Unprecedented executive order pace with limited judicial constitutional review
Electoral Processes
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Mid-decade redistricting battles challenge traditional electoral fairness norms
Democratic Norms
⚠️ Minor Concern (-2)
Angola Prison detention center and massive workplace raids raise constitutional concerns
Economic Ecosystem
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
China-Russia-India coordination and Google antitrust ruling limitations challenge market competition
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-3)
Government data disputes, Wikipedia conflicts, and international speech restrictions pressure press freedom
Social Dynamics
🔸 Moderate Concern (-4)
Hate crimes, economic inequality protests, and declining faith in American Dream amid workforce tensions
Executive Operations
🚨 Significant Concern (-5)
500K federal workers lose union rights while agencies serve increasingly political functions