Pressure Systems edition
Crypto Windfalls and Terror Designations Target Political Dissent
July 4, 2026
What this edition shows
The Trump administration is leveraging billion-dollar cryptocurrency ventures to bypass traditional diplomatic channels, exemplified by Pakistan's strategic financial access to the executive branch. Simultaneously, federal agencies are repurposing counter-terrorism frameworks and anti-communist rhetoric to criminalize domestic protesters and civil rights organizations. This convergence of private digital wealth and state-sanctioned labels of 'mortal threats' marks a shift toward a personalized, transactional form of executive authority.
Reporting and analysis behind this edition 8 sources
-
Trump has made more than $1 billion from crypto in a year. How?
US President Donald Trump once called cryptocurrency a “scam”. It’s now a major moneymaker for him: his just-released annual financial disclosure shows he made more than US$1 billion from cryptocurrency last year. This news has raised the ire of Trump’s critics. Juliana Stratton, the Illinois lieute…
-
Trump’s Communist Boogeyman Playbook: Charging Protesters as Terrorists
Matt Sledge, who was at the sentencing for the Prairieland defendants, and Mark Bray, author of “Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook,” on the timeworn government strategies to stifle dissent. The post Trump’s Communist Boogeyman Playbook: Charging Protesters as Terrorists appeared first on The Interce…
-
RFK Jr. Claims He’s Investigating Terrorism Now, Too
The Health and Human Services secretary is targeting the largest Muslim civil rights organization as Republicans run on Islamophobia in a tough midterm cycle. The post RFK Jr. Claims He’s Investigating Terrorism Now, Too appeared first on The Intercept.
-
Trump made $1.4B from crypto ventures in first year back in office
Trump's latest 2025 financial disclosure reveals he made more than $1.4B in income from crypto ventures.
-
Seven more sentenced over Texas ICE detention centre shooting
US prosecutors have alleged those involved in the Prairieland Detention Center protest were linked to antifa.
-
Trump praises army, rails against communism in US 250th anniversary speech
At Mount Rushmore Trump warns of 'communist menace', ties rhetoric to immigration ahead of November midterms.
-
$500m for Trump, access for Pakistan: How a crypto-diplomatic bet paid off
The crypto firm that brought Trump a windfall has also allowed Pakistan to gain clout with US administration.
-
Trump calls communism a ‘mortal threat’ at US 250th birthday event
Trump calls communism a ‘mortal threat’ at US 250th birthday event.