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.
3,182 Articles
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’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.…
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 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. …
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.
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…
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: 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…
National Security at the United Nations This Week
Security Council members condemn US policy shift on Israeli settlements, a Russia-sponsored cyber agreement that could pave the way for more Internet censorship moves forward,…
IG Falls Short of Justice in Investigating Political Retaliation at the State Department
The State Department IG report provides a cautionary tale and counsels us all to pay close attention to investigative methods before believing an IG’s conclusions.
A Real-Time Lesson in Leadership and Ethics from the Impeachment Hearings
"The complete and stunning silence of Pompeo, Esper and Maguire to offer even a scant endorsement of their employees has been both shocking and has left a dark and perhaps indelible…
About Those Constitutional Norms, Mr. Attorney General
The president’s non-cooperation in the Ukraine investigation breaches the bipartisan understanding that the president has a responsibility to come clean with Congress about foreign…