North America

Trusted news agencies tracing tendencies of democratisation and autocratisation globally

Legislative constraints on the executive05. March

US committee subpoenas Attorney General over handling of Epstein files

Clean elections04. March

First Primaries for the US Midterms – Texas in the Spotlight

Legislative constraints on the executive02. March

Hegseth: Democracy-building in Iran not a war aim for the US

20. February

US government forced to restore exhibition on slavery in Philadelphia

A judge has ordered that signs about trans-Atlatic slavery should be reinstated at an exhibition in Philadelphia after the federal government had them removed. The judge referred to ongoing censorship by the Trump administration

DNA

Legislative constraints on the executive12. February

Six Republicans join Democrats in US House vote on Canada tariffs

Six Republicans in the US Congress have voted with the Democrat minority to pass a resolution disapproving of President Trump's tariffs on Canada. The vote was largely symbolic but could be a straw in the wind ahead of the midterm elections in November.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties11. February

'Outrage' as LGBTQ Pride flag removed from Stonewall monument

Stonewall, New York's, and the USA's, most prominent gay monument can no longer fly the rainbow pride flag under new rules by the Trump administration. This prompted outrage and protest from both New York's citizens and officials.

DNA

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information06. February

Reports of significant job cuts at the Washington Post

The Washington Post, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos since 2013, is one of the most prestigious newspapers in the world. Reports of extensive job cuts are causing a stir in the industry.

DNA

Clean elections02. February

Texas stunner: Democrat flips Republican state Senate district

Democratic political candidates are on a winning streak in special elections throughout the US, ahead of the midterms in the autumn. Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped a Texas district which was previously held by Republicans for decades. Could this be an indicator of things to come?

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties29. January

Trump border czar vows to "regain law and order" in Minneapolis

Border czar Homan is seeking to restore order in Minneapolis after the president appeared ready to ease off on arrests to reduce tensions in the city. Trump called Governor Walz and Mayor Frey. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats threatened to shut down government by blocking funding.

DNA

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information27. January

California governor to probe TikTok on Trump censorship allegation

Is TikTok censoring content critical of US President Donald Trump? That's the question a new probe by Californa Governor Gavin Newsom is asking. Allegations of so-called shadowbanning have cropped up again.

DNA

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information23. January

AP executive editor expresses concern about US press freedom

A free press is one of the most important prerequisites for a democracy. The chief editor of the US press agency AP sees this freedom being eroded by the administration of President Donald Trump.

DNA

Legislative constraints on the executive14. January

US senators introduce bill barring Trump from annexing NATO territory

A bipartisan proposal before the US Senate barring President Trump from seizing Greenland comes as Secretary of State Rubio meets Danish and Greenlandic leaders in Washington. European NATO allies aim to boost security on the island to allay US concerns on Russia and China.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties14. January

US labels three Muslim Brotherhood branches terrorist organizations

Secretary of State Rubio has designated the Muslim Brotherhood chapters in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt to the list of proscribed terrorist organizations in the US. The Egyptian branch described the move as "detached from reality". The Egyptian government welcomed the move.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties13. January

Minnesota sues US administration to halt ICE operations

Minnesota and the twin cities are taking the US federal administration to court over operations conducted by immigration officials. Tension is high across the state following a fatal shooting widely seen as an over-reaction.

DNA

Equality before the law12. January

Protests in US continue after fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis

ICE "harms the local economy, democracy and public safety", Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at a press conference as protests against the federal agency continue throughout the USA, following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis.

DNA

Equal distribution of resources08. January

US withdraws from 66 organisations, some related to democracy

Under President Trump, the US has become increasingly critical of international organisations. It has now withdrawn from 66 of them, including some that are involved in promoting and protecting democracy around the world.

DNA

Clean elections07. January

Death of US congressman cuts into Republicans' House majority

With the midterms looming in early November, the Republican Party has seen its majority in the US House of representatives cut by the death of a California congressman. They can afford to lose just two more seats. The date of a by-election has not been set.

DNA