"With nothing more than an ID, S.H.I.E.L.D. could exercise greater authority in the United States than the state police and the FBI. That was utterly unconstitutional. If it hadn't happened so long ago, I would hold the president who approved that bill accountable. He nearly destroyed the United States!"
Thaddeus Ross quickly settled into his role as president. Whether at press conferences or before Congress, he touted the achievement he had made immediately after taking office: exposing HYDRA, the Nazi organization notorious during World War II, and sparing the United States further persecution.
Meanwhile, internationally, he prepared to replace S.H.I.E.L.D.'s authority with the Superhuman Personnel Bureau and had already signed preliminary agreements with twelve countries.
The detailed release of information about Hydra left ordinary citizens and the middle and upper classes deeply distrustful of S.H.I.E.L.D. Citizens in every country clamored for their local governments to abolish S.H.I.E.L.D.'s authority and status and take that authority back for themselves.
Thaddeus Ross handled such matters with practiced ease, seizing the opportunity to sign a series of bills favorable to his administration. Less than a few months into his term, his power already exceeded that of every previous president.
Opportunity meant gain, which was why Thaddeus Ross had been so delighted upon learning about Hydra.
Inside the White House, members of the Thaddeus Ross administration worked nonstop on a multitude of matters. Their recent hours rivaled a nine-to-nine, six-day workweek, but no one dared say anything.
"Establish the Superhuman Personnel Bureau across the country as quickly as possible. Within two months, I want to hear that they've begun operating. Their first task will be to capture the members of S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA who have gone into hiding. That is a condition of their pardons."
After signing the document handed to him, Thaddeus Ross passed