Lauren C Anderson
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lcandersonintl.bsky.social
Lauren C Anderson
@lcandersonintl.bsky.social
Former #NatSec #FBI exec who spent nearly three decades running toward the crises most people run from. Member @CFR.org co-host #TheSteadyState podcast co-host #Fearless
Pinned
"Once the #FBI becomes an instrument of politics, it ceases to be the FBI Americans - and our allies - trust. " substack.com/@steadystate...
The Steady State (@steadystate1)
“Once the FBI becomes an instrument of politics, it ceases to be the FBI Americans—and our allies—trust.”
substack.com
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
"Once the #FBI becomes an instrument of politics, it ceases to be the FBI Americans - and our allies - trust. " substack.com/@steadystate...
The Steady State (@steadystate1)
“Once the FBI becomes an instrument of politics, it ceases to be the FBI Americans—and our allies—trust.”
substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
A federal judge didn’t “steal” the Commander-in-Chief’s powers—she ruled that DoD exceeded the limits Congress set. That is the rule of law working as designed. What threatens the Republic isn’t judicial review, but officials who insist they’re above it.
November 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
Saying that U.S. law bars obedience to unlawful orders does not imply an unlawful order is pending, or has been given. Our military is trained on this standard precisely so unlawful orders are neither given nor obeyed.

#holdfast
Many are struggling to understand what “illegal orders” the members of Congress could be referring to. But we’ve already seen examples. During his first term, Trump asked, “Can’t you just shoot them? Shoot them in the legs,” referring to protesters. #holdfast

www.npr.org/2022/05/09/1...
Former Pentagon chief Esper says Trump asked about shooting protesters
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Mark Esper about his forthcoming book, "A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times."
www.npr.org
November 23, 2025 at 8:48 PM
"Once the #FBI becomes an instrument of politics, it ceases to be the FBI Americans - and our allies - trust. " substack.com/@steadystate...
The Steady State (@steadystate1)
“Once the FBI becomes an instrument of politics, it ceases to be the FBI Americans—and our allies—trust.”
substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Lauren C Anderson
"Justice cannot exist without humanity and law without conscience is merely control." Inside The Walls reflects on courage, the #ruleoflaw, particularly under #autocratic leaders.
@steadystatevets.bsky.social
@joycewhitevance.bsky.social
@smerconish.bsky.social

open.substack.com/pub/laurenca...
Inside the Walls: Justice, Dignity, and the Thin Line Between Law and Power
Reflections on law, humanity, and what happens when institutions forget their purpose.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I've seen what happens to institutions- at home and abroad - when trust and expertise give way to power and fear. My latest Substack: the real cost of #FBI upheaval. "The bureau can recover from mistakes but not from a loss of conscience" @steadystatevets.bsky.social substack.com/@laurencande...
⚖️ Trust, Retribution, and The Erosion of Justice: The Crisis Inside the FBI 🔷
The question isn’t whether we can rebuild the Bureau. It’s whether we will still recognize the values it was built to serve.
substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:44 PM
"Justice cannot exist without humanity and law without conscience is merely control." Inside The Walls reflects on courage, the #ruleoflaw, particularly under #autocratic leaders.
@steadystatevets.bsky.social
@joycewhitevance.bsky.social
@smerconish.bsky.social

open.substack.com/pub/laurenca...
Inside the Walls: Justice, Dignity, and the Thin Line Between Law and Power
Reflections on law, humanity, and what happens when institutions forget their purpose.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:47 PM
After decades in national security, I've learned that real strength begins with listening - - and that defending what matters most starts with our humanity.

open.substack.com/pub/laurenca...
WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DEFEND
Trust is the most strategic asset we have — and the one we’re in danger of forgetting.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM