View source for Jerome Archer

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{{CharacterInfobox
| powericon    = Zachary Hudson vector.svg
| image        = [[File:Jerome_Archer_Portrait_ED.jpg|thumb]]
| status       = Alive
| born         = {{Birth date and age|3218|1|1|CY=3311|df=yes}}
| died         = 
| gender       = Male
| homesystem   = [[Nanomam]]
| allegiance   = Federation
| occupation   = [[Shadow President|Shadow President of the Federation]]<br/>[[President of the Federation|Vice President of the Federation]] (formerly)<br/>Secretary of Security (formerly)<br/>[[Congressman]] (formerly)<br/>[[Federal Intelligence Agency|FIA]] Director (formerly)<br/>Law enforcement officer (formerly)
| relations    = 
| hq           = Nanomam
| powermodule  = 
| ethosprep    = 
| ethosexpand  = 
| ethoscontrol = 
| galstand     = {{Increase}}
| totalcc      = {{Increase}} 475
}}

'''Jerome Archer''' is the current [[Shadow President]] of the [[Federation]] and former [[President of the Federation|Vice President]] under the administration of Federal President [[Zachary Hudson]]. Appointed by Hudson in March 3307 to replace the late [[Brad Mitchell]], Archer was previously a [[Congressman]] and the Secretary of Security within Hudson's Cabinet. Before that he served as Director of the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]], and had a long career in law enforcement. In a statement before [[Federal Congress]] on the day of his appointment as Vice President, Archer stated that he planned to use his authority to enhance security and vigilance within the Federation.

== Biography ==
Archer's first major success as vice president was the [[Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act]], approved by Congress on March 30, 3307, which he drafted and sponsored. Archer's ties to the FIA allowed him to make rapid progress with Federal security services in implementing the law, which resulted in the creation of the [[Proactive Detection Bureau]] on April 6. Despite controversy over the PDB directly instigating the [[Federal Rebellion of 3307]], Archer's support for it did not waver. He countered criticism by arguing that strengthening the Federal government's surveillance powers had demonstrably increased security and reduced crimes throughout Federal space, and also led to the arrest of extremist groups such as [[Jupiter's Wrath]].

Archer ran for President against then-Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]] in October 3309, but was defeated by his Liberal rival.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6525721415911ead32092431 GalNet: Felicia Winters Elected as Federal President]</ref> After Winters' inauguration in October 3310, Archer assumed his new role as Shadow President.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6723599650a8d2e7a403836b GalNet: President Winters Assumes Office]</ref>
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== Timeline ==
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22 FEB 3308
*[[President of the Federation|President]] [[Zachary Hudson]]'s proposal to remove the eight-year limit on his term of office has led to public unrest on many [[Federation|Federal]] worlds. Supporters of [[Shadow President]] [[Felicia Winters]] have taken the lead in protesting against the [[Hudson Contravention]], which is currently being debated in [[Federal Congress|Congress]]. The situation has been extensively covered by [[newsfeed]]s across the Federation:<br/>[[Federal Free Press]]: "As always, Felicia Winters is the only grown-up in the room. She has rightfully objected to the sitting president's attempt at throwing away the rulebook. Repealing the [[Federal Accord|77th amendment]] would be a fundamental blow to our millennia-old democracy."<br/>[[Sol Today]]: "What's the choice here? Retain Hudson for a few more years until things calm down, or hand power to Winters and watch the Federal government weaken and collapse under a weight the shadow president cannot possibly bear?"<br/>The [[Federal Times]]: "Moderate Republican voters are taking a dim view of the Hudson Contravention, primarily because it denies them the option to choose a new administration. Vice President Jerome Archer, Secretary of State [[Lana Berkovich]] and Grand Attorney [[Edwin Espinosa]] are the most likely presidential candidates, but none of them will be able to run for office in 3309 if Hudson gets his way."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6214dc642c32bc77c62a2e04 GalNet: Hudson Contravention Sparks Federal Protests]</ref>
13 OCT 3307
*The [[Proactive Detection Bureau]] has been instrumental in identifying violent corporatist extremists within the [[Federation]]. Deputy Director [[Bethany Blake]] of the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] gave a statement to the media: "In recent weeks, our surveillance algorithms flagged a series of coded communications for investigation. We found that a network of radicalised citizens were discussing plans to assassinate [[Congressman|members of Congress]] and leading political figures. This movement, which calls itself [[Jupiter's Wrath]], is inspired by [[Jupiter Rochester]]'s failed attempt to enable corporations to directly rule the Federation. Their goal was to enact revenge on those who they consider to be the 'enemies of [[Jupiter Division]]'. Using data intercepted by the Proactive Detection Bureau, FIA agents performed a series of coordinated strikes in several Federal systems. Over a thousand armed extremists were arrested before they could act. We are currently working to identify the remaining Jupiter's Wrath members." Vice President Jerome Archer claimed that this was further validation of the [[Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act]], which permitted the PDB to be established. However, [[Shadow President]] [[Felicia Winters]] commented: "I commend the FIA for performing their duties. But I also question the timing of this operation, coming so soon after [[Zachary Hudson|President Hudson's]] appallingly reckless attempt to capture [[Yuri Grom]]. To me it seems calculated to show his administration in a positive light, while ignoring the violation of citizens' privacy."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6166caf44f1b9b3bc636964f GalNet: Federal Terrorist Network Exposed]</ref>
13 SEP 3307
*A further seven [[Federation|Federal]] factions have severed ties with the superpower in protest against government monitoring of communications. These latest secessions have been undertaken by minor factions that do not control any systems, including Unktock Free, United Posenoi League and Progressive Party of Inggale. Political journalist [[Sofia Trevino]] reported for The [[Federal Times]]: "Eight factions had previously declared [[Independent|independence]] from the Federation, and now an even greater number forms the third wave of [[Federal Rebellion of 3307|rebellion]]. It's clear that their populations feel empowered to take a stand against losing their constitutional rights of privacy. Vice President Archer shrugged off this latest development, maintaining that 'the [[Proactive Detection Bureau]] performs a vital security role in these troubled times'. Since none of these latest factions currently govern a system, he may also believe that resistance to the PDB is on the wane. Although these events have only impacted a small part of Federal territory, they remain an embarrassment for [[Zachary Hudson|President Hudson's]] administration. [[Felicia Winters|Shadow President Winters]] continues to implore [[Federal Congress|Congress]] to repeal the [[Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act]], but she has also taken political criticism since many feel her rhetoric inspired these factions to secede."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/613f3d4bc31cf61ae31cda95 GalNet: Rebellion Spreads Through the Federation]</ref>
01 SEP 3307
*[[Alliance]] and [[Empire|Imperial]] leaders have responded to the recent wave of [[Federation|Federal]] systems declaring [[Independent|independence]]. Eight factions have now [[Federal Rebellion of 3307|severed ties]] with the Federation, in response to government surveillance of all private and public communications. In an interview with The [[Alliance Tribune]], [[Alliance Prime Minister|Deputy Prime Minister]] [[Angela Corcoran]] remarked: "The [[Proactive Detection Bureau]]'s intrusive nature has caused millions of people to rightfully demand self-rule. [[President of the Federation|President]] [[Zachary Hudson|Hudson]] should be fearful that history might view him as the Federation's first dictator." [[Senator]] [[Denton Patreus]]'s comments were featured by [[Eye on Achenar]]: "Of course the Federation's factions are turning against it. The arrogance and corruption of its leaders will inevitably cause it to rot from within. We can expect to see it dissolve into chaos before long." Federal newsfeed [[Sol Today]] published a response by Vice President Jerome Archer: "Both the Alliance and Empire have chosen a reactionary approach to terrorism, whereas the Federation has made great strides in intelligence-gathering and preventative action. I'm confident that the Proactive Detection Bureau will come to be accepted as one of the galaxy's greatest innovations."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/612f69fedd437b0cd13e80e3 GalNet: Federation Criticised by Alliance and Empire]</ref>
23 AUG 3307
*[[Shadow President]] [[Felicia Winters]] has claimed that further systems declaring [[Independent|independence]] could severely damage the [[Federation]]. Her statement was in response to the conflict in the Kuwembaa system, which resulted in more Federal factions seceding from the superpower. Dozens of others are now openly considering breaking away and becoming independent. Addressing [[Federal Congress|Congress]], Shadow President Winters said: "We now face the possibility of large-scale [[Federal Rebellion of 3307|rebellion]], as more citizens reject intrusion into their private lives. Unless these [[Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act|authoritarian surveillance laws]] are repealed, we risk many more factions and allies losing their trust in any Federal government." Vice President Jerome Archer responded: "The [[Proactive Detection Bureau]] provides increased security and decreased crime levels for all Federal systems. I deeply regret that a few have rejected its benefits, but we must concentrate on the bigger picture." [[The Sovereign]] [[News Feed|newsfeed]] described how the newly seceded systems are celebrating freedom from government scrutiny. It claims that up to fifty other factions have expressed interest in becoming independent. However, The [[Federal Times]] reported that more pragmatic leaders have voiced concerns that they are now more vulnerable. There are particular fears of retaliation by pro-Federation groups or attacks from opportunistic hostile forces.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61238c446c1de668d3390170 GalNet: A Fractured Federation]</ref>
26 JUL 3307
*Communications intercepted by the [[Proactive Detection Bureau]] are being used to prevent further factions from [[Federal Rebellion of 3307|leaving]] the [[Federation]]. A report by the civil rights organisation [[Advocacy]] proves that the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] is targeting pro-independence individuals via their private messages. In many cases, they are being arrested for planning to commit crimes against the constitution. Deputy Director [[Bethany Blake]], who runs the PDB, gave a statement to the media: "I can confirm that gathering such intelligence is within our legal remit. Unilateral declarations of independence are criminal acts that violate the [[Federal Accord]]. Therefore we are identifying perpetrators before they cause harm, which is precisely what our surveillance network was established to do." In [[Federal Congress|Congress]], Vice President Jerome Archer defended the PDB for boosting arrest rates and saving lives. However, [[Congressman]] [[Bai Zheng]] remarked that the PDB was "incapable of locating the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]], but fantastic at finding enemies among our own people that didn't previously exist". Both [[Zachary Hudson|President Hudson]] and [[Felicia Winters|Shadow President Winters]] have personally contacted the leaders of many systems within their spheres of influence, aiming to address their concerns and convince them not to secede from the Federation.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/60fec8ed69d9ea7a670e0c8f GalNet: Federal Surveillance Sabotages Independence]</ref>
23 APR 3307
*[[Shadow President]] [[Felicia Winters]] has claimed that the [[Proactive Detection Bureau]] is unconstitutional as it violates the [[Federal Accord]]. In an address before [[Federal Congress|Congress]], she said: "The [[Federation]]'s constitution explicitly guarantees citizens the right to data security and privacy. The PDB tramples over this by raiding everyone's personal communications, casting aside decency and dignity so that algorithms can probe into every aspect of our lives. Furthermore, if [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit|ACT's]] hypothesis is correct and the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]] is using an advanced dark-comms network, then the PDB's existence is baseless and unjustifiable." Vice President Jerome Archer responded: "The [[Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act]] is emergency legislation that temporarily suspends constitutional statutes, until we are satisfied that the terrorist threat has been negated. Following the PDB's success in uncovering extremist groups, we are widening the search parameters to include other related criminal activity." Opinion polls suggest that a slim majority of Federal citizens accept that some liberties must be sacrificed in return for increased security. However, according to the civil rights organisation [[Advocacy]], the speed with which the PDB gained access to data hubs suggested that "The infrastructure was already in place – all the government needed was an opportunity to make it legal."<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6082b5788356ff306b71a5b2 GalNet: Winters Claims Civilian Surveillance is Illegal]</ref>
21 APR 3307
*The [[Proactive Detection Bureau]], which monitors all civilian communications in the [[Federation]], has detected several home-grown terrorist groups. Deputy Director [[Bethany Blake]] of the [[Federal Intelligence Agency|Federal Investigations Agency]]<sup>[''sic'']</sup> told the media: "Our combination of sophisticated algorithms and skilled operatives has unearthed over a dozen extremist organisations, all previously unknown. The FIA launched pre-emptive raids on these groups before they were able to strike against civilian targets. In addition, we have arrested several thousand individuals who were conducting research into terror tactics, radical ideologies and other suspicious subjects. The PDB will continue monitoring all comms networks, and liaising with local security agencies via the [[Federal Justice Department]]." Vice President Jerome Archer hailed these results as validation of the [[Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act]], and stated that the PDB will help prevent the mass murder of Federal citizens. Civil rights groups have claimed that these extremists could have been detected via conventional policing methods, rather than intercepting personal messages. Independent criminologists added that the statistical likelihood of such amateur groups committing actual attacks is low.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6080140115de2b1d9f67a8f9 GalNet: Federal Surveillance Identifies Domestic Terrorists]</ref>
06 APR 3307
*The [[Proactive Detection Bureau]] has been set up by the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] to scan civilian communications for signs of terrorist activity. The new department was formed following [[Federal Congress|congressional]] approval of the [[Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act]]. This was drafted by Vice President Jerome Archer, who told the media: "The PDB is a vital tool to prevent further massacres on the scale we have recently witnessed. It will unearth [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]] terrorists and other dangerous activists concealed among innocent citizens, and help keep our families safe." Deputy Director [[Bethany Blake]], who has been appointed to run the Proactive Detection Bureau, explained its operations: "Highly advanced algorithms will scan all data transmitted across public and private networks on a system-wide level. Any suspicious communications are redirected to a regional hub, for review by trained investigators. It is important to understand that only specific activity within narrow parameters will be flagged, and must pass dozens of automated checkpoints before our operatives can access it." [[Shadow President]] [[Felicia Winters|Winters]] and civil rights groups have protested that this violates long-standing privacy laws. However, [[President of the Federation|President]] [[Zachary Hudson|Hudson]] has championed the PDB as a cornerstone of the new counter-terrorism statutes.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/606c4bee6ac730131e7bf110 GalNet: Federation Begins Anti-Terrorist Monitoring]</ref>
30 MAR 3307
*Vice President Jerome Archer has successfully proposed a new public surveillance law designed to prevent future terrorist attacks in the [[Federation]]. The [[Domestic Counter-Terrorism Act]] was debated in [[Federal Congress|Congress]] before being approved by a majority vote. It is considered to be emergency legislation that replaces all previous laws regarding monitoring civilian activity and intercepting personal communications. Vice President Archer, who personally drafted much of the new statute, announced: "This will allow the government to actively seek out any terrorist agents and sympathisers lurking within our communities. We will never again allow so many families and friends to be taken from us." Shadow President [[Felicia Winters]] responded: "Nobody wants another '[[Nine Martyrs]]', and it's vital that security is increased across the Federation. But this is an outrageous violation of civil liberties. For this administration to grant itself access to every citizen's private life makes it resemble a dictatorial regime." VP Archer later confirmed that he is already working with the heads of security services on practical applications of the new law. As a former director of the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]], he is expected to make rapid progress.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/606311954f9eda52a923b05e GalNet: Federal Congress Grants Emergency Surveillance Powers]</ref>
24 MAR 3307
*President [[Zachary Hudson]] has announced that the new [[President of the Federation|vice president]] of the [[Federation]] is Jerome Archer, replacing the deceased [[Brad Mitchell]]. Archer was previously serving as the Secretary of Security. Prior to becoming a [[congressman]], he was a director of the [[Federal Intelligence Agency]] and had a long career in law enforcement. His predecessor, VP Brad Mitchell, died in the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army|NMLA]] [[Nine Martyrs|bombing]] of [[Li Qing Jao]] station in the [[Sol]] system. The attack also killed several members of the Federal Cabinet along with many government officials, who were attending a meeting at the [[starport]]. Addressing a gathering of [[Federal Congress|Congress]], Vice President Archer said: "My primary focus in this office will be to increase security throughout the Federation. I vow to build vigilance into the fabric of our society, and prevent such atrocities from ever happening again." During the congressional session, President Hudson announced new appointments for other deceased members of the Cabinet. He also successfully obtained approval to increase funding for counter-terrorism operations run by [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit|ACT]] and the [[Federal Navy]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/605b3817fe6aaa46d74aaad4 GalNet: New Federal Vice President Selected]</ref>
{{Div-end}}

== Powerplay Ethos ==
=== Acquisition ===
'''Combat:''' ''A true patriot, Shadow President Archer believes that all human colonies would thrive under the auspices of Federal rule. He is willing to approve the use of force when needed, using the pretence of bolstering security within Federation-aligned systems.''<ref name=":0">Galactic Power In-Game Description</ref>

=== Reinforcement ===
'''Combat:''' ''A core principle of Shadow President Archer's politics is that regular demonstrations of Federal military authority are used to ensure law and order is maintained.''<ref name=":0" />

=== Undermining ===
'''Covert:''' ''Shadow President Archer is a strong advocate of heavy surveillance and well-funded intelligence services. His supporters utilise these tools to guide Federal security policy in systems under his influence.''<ref name=":0" />

== Trivia ==

* There are theories that John Archer is based on Captain Jonathan Archer of the Enterprise (NX-01) in the TV-series Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005).<ref name=":1">[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/1wcve8f/just_came_back_from_a_long_break_this_is/ Just came back from a long break. This is intentional, right?] - Hot-Cattle8314 - Reddit - 10 Sep 2026</ref> He was portrayed by the American actor Scott Bakula.<ref name=":1" /> Some say he resembles the American actor Kevin Costner.<ref name=":1" />

== References ==
<references/>

{{Succession|[[Brad Mitchell]]|[[President of the Federation|Vice President of the Federation]]|Incumbent}}
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[[ru:Джером Арчер]]
[[Category:Federal key people]]
[[Category:Congressmen]]
[[Category:Power]]