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.
3,333 Articles
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…
White House Counsel Sends Fiona Hill Letter on “Executive Privilege” on Eve of Public Hearing
On Thursday, Deputy White House Counsel Michael M. Purpura sent a letter to Fiona Hill’s attorney setting out the administration’s views of executive privilege. The letter…
Trump and GOP Call to ID Whistleblower Exposes Glaring Gaps in Protections
There are punishments for disclosing a whistleblower's identity in such a case. But the entire system is a patchwork of laws that needs to be rethought.
Will Gordon Sondland Finally Come Clean When He Testifies?
All eyes will be on the U.S. ambassador to the European Union when he testifies in front of the House impeachment inquiry tomorrow.
Evaluating Facebook’s New Oversight Board for Content Moderation
Facebook recently released more details about its Oversight Board, publishing a governing charter in September that describes how the board will review the company’s decisions…
Chart: Side-by-Side Comparison of Kurt Volker’s vs Other Witnesses’ Testimony in Impeachment Inquiry
It appears that Ambassador Volker lied to Congress in violation of federal law for denying knowledge or involvement in President Trump and Giuliani’s efforts to press Ukraine…