They heartlessly oversaw state repression (7)
I believe the answer is:
tyranny
'repression' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both states of affairs as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'they heartlessly oversaw state' is the wordplay.
'heartlessly' suggests removing the centre.
'oversaw' becomes 'ran' (I've seen this in another clue).
'state' becomes 'NY' (abbreviation for New York the US state).
'they' with its middle removed is 'ty'.
'ty'+'ran'+'ny'='TYRANNY'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tyranny that I've seen before include "Dominance through threat of punishment and violence" , "Cruel government" , "Excessive use of power" , "Cruel rulers" , "Despotic rule" .)