The Pincer Movement

An investigation into the coordinated assault on American democratic institutions.

A Coordinated Strategy

Our investigation uncovered a two-pronged strategy designed to enforce ideological conformity. A top-down pincer of state power works in concert with a bottom-up pincer of grassroots activism, fueled by a sophisticated financial network. This dynamic was field-tested in Winneshiek County, Iowa, where a local sheriff faced the full force of the state for expressing a dissenting legal opinion.

Top-Down Pincer

State & Federal Executive Power (Project 2025)

Democratic Institutions & Officials

(e.g., Sheriff Dan Marx)

Bottom-Up Pincer

Ideological & Activist Networks (TFL, Ziklag)

Both arms of the pincer are funded and directed by a common, largely opaque, financial and ideological engine.

The Top-Down Pincer: Project 2025's Machinery

Project 2025, led by The Heritage Foundation, is a comprehensive blueprint to radically restructure the U.S. government. It is not merely a policy paper but a detailed operational plan for consolidating executive power.

920

Pages in the "Mandate for Leadership" playbook, detailing the government overhaul.

100+

Conservative organizations united on the Project 2025 Advisory Board.

50,000

Federal employees targeted for reclassification under "Schedule F," stripping their job protections.

Cabinet-Level Influence

A significant majority of former President Trump's cabinet has ties to groups involved in Project 2025, ensuring a pre-vetted cadre is ready to implement its agenda.

The Bottom-Up Pincer: The Ideological Engine

The movement is animated by Christian Nationalist ideology, which seeks "dominion" over all spheres of society. This is driven by local power brokers like The Family Leader and secretive, high-wealth national networks like Ziklag.

Key Tenet: The Seven Mountains Mandate

A dominionist doctrine mandating that Christians achieve control over seven spheres of influence:

  • Government
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Education
  • Family
  • Business
  • Religion

Adherence to Christian Nationalism

Polling data from 2024 reveals significant support for Christian Nationalist ideas, especially within the Republican party.

The Financial Artery: Dark Money & Opaque Funding

A sophisticated financial apparatus converts private wealth into political power, often shielding donors' identities through vehicles like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs).

The Flow of Influence & Capital

Apex Donor

$1.6 Billion

From Barre Seid to

Marble Freedom Trust

Dark Money Conduits

DonorsTrust & The 85 Fund

Funneling over $152.5M in one year

Policy Arm

The Heritage Foundation (Project 2025)

Legal Arm

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)

Activist Arm

Groups involved in election challenges

The Alliance in Action: Tactics of Control

The network deploys specific strategies to challenge elections, surveil populations, and enforce conformity.

"Checkmate": Challenging Elections

The EagleAI software is used to facilitate mass voter challenges, despite its documented flaws and lack of actual AI.

63,000+

Voter registrations challenged in a single Georgia county using these methods.

Funding for EagleAI has been directly linked to DonorsTrust, connecting the tactic to the dark money pipeline.

Surveillance: The Architecture of Fear

Technology is used to create tools for mass surveillance and social control, amplifying the state's power.

"ImmigrationOS"

A $30 million contract between ICE and Palantir Technologies to build a powerful surveillance platform, enabling mass deportations outlined in Project 2025.

This creates a "chilling effect" that deters dissent and normalizes surveillance.