Individual Factor Movements
-3
-2
-1
0
+1
+2
Key Developments
Democracy Trends Network Analysis
Week of February 16–22, 2026 • Accountability Calls, With Immediate Circumvention
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
Factors Signaling Progress
21
Factors Signaling Concern
12
Factors Stable
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
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
Media Infrastructure
🔸 Moderate Concern (-5)
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
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
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Historic vehicle emission standards ended; EPA repealed Biden-era mercury standards; FDA retreated from artificial food color ban; TSA PreCheck suspended then reversed under pressure; 41,000 Coast Guard members set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
→ Stable (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)
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