Context:
This is part of the ongoing Crisis-Phase Tracker, a running log of democratic guardrails and authoritarian escalations during the current U.S. Crisis Phase (see Hidden Circuitry for background). Each entry shows the state of key indicators as of the date noted.
🔴 Red = Critical stress
🟠 Orange = Severe stress
🟡 Yellow = Emerging/Moderate stress
🟢 Green = Stable/Low concern
These are not predictions — they are diagnostic snapshots. Red does not mean collapse is inevitable. It means urgent stress exists at that checkpoint.
Key Updates Since Last Entry
- Judicial Guardrails: Notable wins — Harvard (funding restored), Fifth Circuit (Alien Enemies Act blocked), FTC commissioner reinstated. Courts functioning as partial stabilizers → remains 🟠 Severe, not yet collapse.
- Suppression of Dissent: Flag-burning EO now logged 🔴 Critical — detonation precursor.
- Independent Agencies: Despite judicial pushback, Trump continues Fed, FTC, and university purges → 🔴 Critical.
- Use of Force: Armed Guard patrols in D.C.; threats toward Chicago. Escalation trajectory intact.