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.
3,181 Articles
Norms Watch: Damage to Democracy and Rule of Law in October 2019
Editor’s Note: 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…
Executive Privilege is No Bar to Testimony Before Impeachment Investigators
Impeachment is different from regular congressional oversight. Witnesses summoned to appear before the House Intelligence Committee should not view executive privilege as standing…
Why Does Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Say He Felt No Pressure From Trump?
Ukraine’s new president has played along with Trump -- in their July 25 phone call and in remarks since then. That has allowed the Trump-Giuliani camp to cite his statements…
More or Less Justice? More or Less Security?
Reflecting on what's changed since Just Security launched six years ago, and three challenges that we now confront.
A Game-Changing Provision in the House Impeachment Resolution
The measure would keep Trump’s lawyers from participating in the impeachment process if the White House continues to refuse to produce documents and bar witnesses from testifying,…
Exclusive: White House Ignored Pentagon Warning on Ukraine Funding
The Pentagon warned the White House over the summer that if the Ukraine funding wasn’t released by August 6, DoD would be at risk of violating the law.
The Rio Treaty: Paving the Way for Military Intervention in Venezuela?
Renewed focus on the presence of terrorist groups in Venezuela, and the Maduro regime’s involvement with such groups, suggest that the ground is being paved for a potential military…
Why Officials Keep Testifying Despite White House Counsel’s Letter on Impeachment Inquiry
"These are presumably not the results White House Counsel Cipollone expected when he sent his letter, but in retrospect they seem fairly predictable."
How Trump’s Gilding the Lily on Baghdadi Death Will Return to Haunt Americans
I handled State Dept’s public messaging after we killed bin Laden. I know the risks.
George Washington’s Advisors Agreed: Impeachment Did Away with Executive Privilege
George Washington clearly signaled that executive privilege would not be available if the House were pursuing an impeachment inquiry. His advisors agreed.
United States of America v. Rudolph W. Giuliani
Former U.S. Attorneys draft a "Model Indictment" based on publicly available evidence of Giuliani's misconduct.
GOP “Storming” of Secure Facility for Impeachment Proceedings: An Explainer
How does a "SCIF" work, and can members of Congress be penalized for their en masse protest of testimony in the House impeachment investigation?