Congress

Just Security’s expert authors offer analysis of U.S. Congress’ role in national security, foreign affairs, the rule of law, and rights. Coverage includes analysis and informational resources related to the legislative process, oversight and investigations of the executive branch, and major debates on the separation of powers and Congress’ constitutional role.

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2,460 Articles
Michael Cohen, former attorney and fixer for President Donald Trump makes a statement to the news media after testifying before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill February 27, 2019 in Washington, DC.

‘Fixer’ Unbound: Public Confidence in Attorneys, Not Just the President, at Stake

Lawyers may be judged by the company they keep, but not by the clients they represent. Attorneys routinely advocate positions they disfavor on behalf of clients whose views and…
An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and F-16 Fighting Falcon return from an Operation Iraqi Freedom combat mission.

Reflecting on the Civilian Casualty Executive Order: What Was Lost and What Can Now Be Gained

What information did the public just lose with Trump's decision, and what can Congress do beyond just restoring it? Civilian casualties in wartime reporting and minimization.
Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Committee Vice Chairman Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) listen during a hearing before Senate (Select) Intelligence Committee March 7, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

President Trump’s Cronyism and Excesses Should Prompt Security Clearance Reform

The Trump years threaten to become a boiling point for numerous simmering constitutional conflicts, but one of the most innocuous-looking might end up being one of the most important.…

Trump’s Revocation of Reporting on Lethal Strikes: All Eyes on Congress, Now

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order revoking a section of President Barack Obama’s Executive Order on civilian casualties that required annual reporting…
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) (C) and ranking member Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) talk before a hearing on gun violence legislation in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill February 06, 2019 in Washington, DC.

The Ripening: The House Judiciary Committee Investigation Will Bear Fruit

The House Judiciary Committee sent out document requests to 81 parties associated with President Donald Trump in its wide-ranging investigation into “allegations of corruption,…
Trump check to Michael Cohen for $35,000 on 8/1/2017

Can Trump Organization Executives Be Prosecuted for Money Laundering?

"Michael Cohen has painted a target on Trump Organization executives in court and Congress. If prosecutors and grand jurors accept the evidence presented in Cohen’s SDNY sentencing…
Senior Advisor Jared Kushner and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly listen while US President Donald Trump puts his papers away at the beginning of a meeting on cyber security in the Roosevelt Room of the White House January 31, 2017 in Washington, DC.

The White House Counsel’s Flawed Response to Congress on Security Clearances

Intensifying congressional oversight activity prompted President Donald Trump to accuse Democrats of “presidential harassment.” He complained — falsely — that President…
Michael Cohen, US President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, is sworn in to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on February 27, 2019.

Trump Told Cohen to Lie to Congress About “Collusion” in General—Not just the Moscow Tower deal

"What has largely escaped notice is that Cohen directly implicated the President in an instruction to lie about collusion more generally. Cohen’s about face on the question of…
U.S. President Donald Trump holds up his fist after he spoke on border security at a Rose Garden event at the White House February 15, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Norms Watch: Damage to Democracy and Rule of Law in February 2019

Welcome to the latest installment of Norms Watch, our series tracking both the flouting of democratic norms by the Trump administration and the erosion of those norms in reactions…
A protest sign reading "Khashoggi way" is seen across the street from the White House in Washington, DC, on December 23, 2018.

The Missing Khashoggi Report: A President Can’t Choose to “Decline” His Constitutional Role to Accommodate Congressional Oversight

Trump's decision to ignore Congress' deadline on responsibility for Jamal Khashoggi's murder misunderstands congressional oversight. In the complex dance that is the accommodations…
Subcommittee ranking member Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) speaks as Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) looks on during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism hearing titled 'Extremist Content and Russian Disinformation Online' on Capitol Hill, October 31, 2017 in Washington, DC. A sign behind them reads, “The Russian Toolbox in the 2016 Election – Propaganda, Fake News, Trolls, and Bots: Yes – Hacking and Theft of Political Information: Yes – Timed Leaks of Damaging Material: Yes“

The Seven Step Program for Fighting Disinformation

A full-spectrum strategy is needed to proactively prepare for the next wave of social-media and internet-based psychological disinformation operations.
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chairman James Risch (R-ID), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX)

Trump’s Invoking Obama Signing Statement as Reason Not to Report to Congress on Khashoggi Murder: A Roundup of Expert Views

The Trump administration has refused to submit a report to Congress, as required by federal statute, providing a determination whether Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin…
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