Puppets on a String

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."This used to be the oath of office that was spoken by a new president who was elected or re-elected. It no longer applies in the year 2050. The aftermath of World War III has left the earth a barren wasteland, with only a few scattered survivors struggling to eke out an existence on the fringes of what used to be Antarctica.
Brave souls have also settled in the harsh conditions of the Arctic, seeking refuge and resources in the equally as unforgiving terrain. Meanwhile, the once-great United States Capitol, along with much of the world, was relocated to a small island off the coast of what was once California. The government, now under the control of one man, Marcus Valen and his emperor, rule with an iron fist in order to maintain order and stability in this desolate new world.
Valen, a powerful psychic and the last remaining one on the planet, wields immense influence over his superiors in the government, using his abilities to ensure their grip on power remains unchallenged. However, there were whispers among the populace that not all was as it seemed with Marcus Valen. Some claimed he used his psychic abilities to manipulate and control those around him, bending them to his will like puppets on a string.
This was all true.