The Distraction Index

Weekly civic intelligence report · v2.2

DashboardUndercoveredSmokescreenTimelineTopicsSearchMethodCorrections
Nov 2 – Nov 8, 2025
Week 45🔒 FROZEN
WHAT ACTUALLY MATTERED

This week's most significant constitutional developments center on the indefinite militarization of the nation's capital, a major realignment of US foreign policy toward Syria through UN-backed sanctions relief, and federal intervention to shield fossil fuel companies from state-level environmental litigation. These actions represent sustained institutional changes with long-term implications for separation of powers, international relations, and environmental accountability. Meanwhile, public attention has fragmented across a familiar spectrum of divisive cultural flashpoints—from state-level drag restrictions to immigration enforcement debates—alongside operational disruptions from government shutdowns and sensationalized political attacks, creating a persistent gap between the scale of constitutional questions being decided and the distributed focus of public discourse.

25
Events
3
List A
10
List B
12
Noise
12.8
Avg A
19.9
Avg B
200
Sources
0
Primary Docs
LOOK AT THIS
National Guard Remains in Washington DC Through at Least February · UN Approves US-Backed Effort to Lift Sanctions on Syria President
THEY WANT YOU TO LOOK AT
Lawyers Appeal Brain Damage Case to Stop South Carolina Execution · Senator Kennedy Plans to Introduce Bills to Withhold Congressional Pay During Shutdown
Real Damage
Constitutional Threats · 3 events
#1
National Guard Remains in Washington DC Through at Least February
2025-11-07-51 UNDERCOVERED
A
69.4
B
18.5
#2
UN Approves US-Backed Effort to Lift Sanctions on Syria President
2025-11-07-17 MIXED
A
48.0
B
30.6
#3
Trump Administration Battles State-Level Lawsuits Against Oil Giants
2025-11-07-20 MIXED
A
37.0
B
17.1
Distractions
Manufactured Outrage · 10 events
#1
Lawyers Appeal Brain Damage Case to Stop South Carolina Execution
2025-11-07+30 DISTRACTION
A
12.7
B
42.8
#2
Senator Kennedy Plans to Introduce Bills to Withhold Congressional Pay During Shutdown
2025-11-07+34 DISTRACTION
A
0.5
B
34.7
#3
Trump Calls Nancy Pelosi 'Evil Woman' After Retirement Announcement
2025-11-07+32 DISTRACTION
A
0.6
B
32.9
#4
Government Shutdown Causes Flight Cancellations and Travel Disruptions
2025-11-07+19 MIXED
A
9.5
B
28.9
#5
DC Jury Acquits Man of Assaulting Federal Agent with Sandwich
2025-11-07+27 MIXED
A
1.4
B
28.5
#6
Texas Drag Show Ban Upheld by Federal Appeals CourtMIXED
2025-11-07+2 MIXED
A
26.5
B
28.1
#7
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Iowa Pollster Over Harris Election Prediction
2025-11-07+26 MIXED
A
1.4
B
27.6
#8
Michigan Considers Banning ICE Agents from Churches and Schools
2025-11-07+19 MIXED
A
7.5
B
26.9
#9
Chicago Police Deployment Described as 'Going Very Violent'
2025-11-07+13 MIXED
A
13.2
B
26.3
#10
US Withdraws from UN COP30 Climate Summit
2025-11-07+17 MIXED
A
1.9
B
18.9
Noise Floor
Low Impact · 12 events
#1
Elise Stefanik Announces Run for New York Governor
2025-11-07
92
#2
California Bans Certain UPFs in Public School Meals
2025-11-07
4
#3
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Deportation of Brown Medicine Doctor
2025-11-07
1
#4
Federal Judge Criticizes DOJ in Comey Case, Orders Evidence Handover
2025-11-07
1
#5
FBI Agents Group Criticizes Patel Over Erratic Personnel Moves
2025-11-07
1
#6
California Republicans Sue Over New US House Map Approved by Voters
2025-11-07
1
#7
White House Strikes Deals for Lower Prices on Obesity Drugs
2025-11-07
0
#8
Interior Department Adds 10 Critical Minerals to Strategic List
2025-11-07
0
#9
Jury Finds Capitol Police Discriminated Against Female Officer
2025-11-07
0
#10
Lawmakers Weigh ACA Tax Credit Extension to End Government Shutdown
2025-11-07
0
#11
Federal Judge Rules Border Patrol Chief Admitted Lying in Chicago Use-of-Force Case
2025-11-07
—
#12
Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Fully Fund SNAP Benefits in November
2025-11-07
—