A new survey by Bright Line Watch, a nonpartisan democracy-tracking organization, found that American democratic health has stabilized at diminished levels after experiencing a sharp decline in recent years. The findings, released Tuesday, indicate that while democratic conditions have stopped deteriorating, they remain well below historical baselines recorded before recent political changes.

The research, which surveys hundreds of scholars at American colleges and universities, suggests that erosion of democratic norms has solidified into a new reduced baseline. Public perceptions of democracy also remain negative, with sharp partisan divisions over how well the democratic system is functioning.

Separately, the Trump administration has taken several policy actions affecting governance and oversight. In December, the administration signed an executive order limiting states' ability to regulate artificial intelligence, directing federal agencies to sue states and withhold funding from those attempting independent AI regulation. The administration also released a national AI policy framework addressing safety, employment impacts, energy usage, and free speech considerations as the United States seeks to maintain global competitiveness.

Meanwhile, two former FBI agents who were dismissed by President Trump are scheduled to testify before a Senate Judiciary Committee panel regarding their involvement in investigations related to the 2020 presidential election. The agents have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming they were terminated based solely on their investigative work.

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, President Trump has signaled their importance for Republicans seeking to maintain congressional control. Political observers note that AI regulation has emerged as a potential dividing issue, with clear ideological alignments forming around technology policy between the major parties.