Democracy & Rule of Law

Just Security’s expert authors provide analysis on threats and challenges to democracy and the rule of law in the United States and globally. Coverage includes analysis of the separation of powers, good governance, democratic backsliding, authoritarianism, judicial independence, freedom of the press and association, and accountability for rule of law violations.

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3,162 Articles
Ranking member Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) watches minority counsel Steve Castor and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) confer during a House Intelligence Committee meeting in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 19, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Seven Outright Falsehoods in GOP Staff Report on Impeachment

"In order to depict the events at the heart of the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry in a light that could at all be construed as a defense of President Trump’s conduct, it appears…
Rohingya youth Mohammad Rafiq uses his mobile phone to take photos of a man by his shack at the Kutupalong refugee camp on July 23, 2019.

Social Media Vetting of Visa Applicants Violates the First Amendment

The Knight First Amendment Institute and the Brennan Center for Justice sued the US government to stop social media vetting of visa applicants.
Gordon Sondland, the U.S ambassador to the European Union, testifies before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 20, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Why Does Gordon Sondland Still Have a Job?

The Ambassador should resign or be removed and the best timing for that is now, writes Ryan Goodman.
Social Media Apps on a Phone: Twitter, Messenger, telegram, Google+, Gmail, Instagram, and Snapchat

No Place to Hide, No Place to Post: Lessons from Recent Efforts at “De-Platforming” ISIS

A recent scramble to reduce or eliminate the presence of ISIS in online platforms suggests that depriving the group of its virtual safe haven on any particular platform may be…
The U.S. Supreme Court at night.

With Supreme Court Mired in Dark Money, Time for Large Dose of Transparency

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse writes that there is a dual problem with the Supreme Court: not only the web of special-interest, secret donor influence surrounding it; but an extraordinary…
Trump Calls Prime Minister Of Ireland From Oval Office

Trump’s True Betrayal: A Pattern of Soliciting Foreign Interference in US Elections

President Donald Trump has repeatedly asked foreign governments to interfere in U.S. elections to help him maintain political power. And there is no reason to expect him to stop.…
Gordon Sondland (L), the U.S ambassador to the European Union, confers with his attorney Bob Luskin (L) while testifying before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 20, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Here’s the Proof that Trump’s “No Quid Pro Quo” Call Never Happened

Congress may have been mistakenly led to believe there were two phone calls. There was only one. It was on Sept. 7, and it was highly incriminating.
Trump talks to Giuliani as they exit the clubhouse following their meeting at Trump International Golf Club, November 20, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey.

Trump Ordered a Hold on Ukraine Military Assistance Earlier Than Reported

During the last few weeks of impeachment hearings, Republicans liked to cite a number — 55 — the number of days they thought the military aid for Ukraine was withheld. …
Side by side photographs of Rudy Giuliani, Devin Nunes, and Derek Harvey.

Timeline: Rep. Devin Nunes and Ukraine Disinformation Efforts

Comprehensive chronology of Rep. Devin Nunes and his top aide Derek Harvey's alleged work with Giuliani and indicted businessman Lev Parnas.
Trump outside the White House on April 12, 2018.

Understanding the Two Mazars Subpoena Cases Before the Supreme Court [UPDATED to reflect 11/25 stay of mandate]

Two cases currently before the Supreme Court involve whether the Constitution prohibits subpoenas issued to Donald Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA, LLP, requiring Mazars…
Trump and Barr

Clear Goal of Barr/Durham Probe is to Scare Off Intelligence Community

In order for their counter-narrative to stick, President Trump and his associates need to destroy all trust in the Intelligence Community.
Fiona Hill, the former top Russia expert on the National Security Council, testifies during the House Intelligence Committee hearing as part of the impeachment inquiry into US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on November 21, 2019. David Holmes sits next to her.

Fiona Hill: A “Domestic Political Errand” Eclipsed the “Regular Channel” on Ukraine Policy

Hill’s testimony clarified that what had appeared to be the secretive “irregular” channel actually had sign-off from the president. And while several career officials charged…
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