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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3,395 Articles
People walk on a sidewalk on the U.S. side of the U.S.-Mexico border barrier on January 25, 2019 in San Diego, California.

Democratic Debates Round 2: Time to Ask About America’s Courts

When the Democratic U.S. presidential candidates face off in Detroit for their second debates July 30-31, they or the moderators should raise what will be one of the most pressing…
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller arrives to testify before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on his report on Russian election interference, on Capitol Hill, July 24, 2019 in Washington.

Mueller Moments You Might Have Missed

You might not have caught all of these more substantive, significant, and revealing moments on Wednesday, but they were there, tucked away in between the many times Special Counsel…
Facebook is displayed on a laptop screen.

EU Court of Justice Grapples with U.S. Surveillance in Schrems II

Earlier this month, the Court of Justice of the European Union heard argument in Schrems II, a case that could limit companies’ ability to transfer data into the United States…
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller is sworn in for his testimony before the House Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, July 24, 2019.

Top Law and Intelligence Experts’ Views on Mueller Hearings

To help make sense of the day’s hearings, we turned to Just Security’s editors and contributors for their thoughts. 
ederal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller is sworn in during a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee June 13, 2013 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Unsealed Documents in Special Counsel Mueller’s Investigation [Updated]

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has prosecuted the Russia investigation by bringing charges against a number of former Trump campaign officials and their associates, and against…
A copy of the Mueller Report opened to page 166 and 167. Significant portions of the text are redacted.

Just Security’s Post-Mueller Report Coverage

A roundup of our analysis since the Mueller Report's release almost exactly four months ago to the date.
FBI Director Robert Mueller III testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a oversight hearing on Capitol Hill December 14, 2011 in Washington, DC.

Mueller Hearing Risks Narrowing the Range of Impeachable Offenses

The congressional hearings will likely overlook the larger set of impeachable offences even though Mueller's report itself provides significant evidence of them.
A man walks across the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency at the lobby of the Original Headquarters Building at the CIA headquarters February 19, 2009 in McLean, Virginia.

Revamped Security Clearance Process Could Provide Leverage Over Those Who Punish Whistleblowers

The security clearance backlog is finally shrinking. This offers a special opportunity to protect embattled national security whistleblowers.

35 Questions for Congress to Ask Robert Mueller (+ Questions from Readers)

Former FBI (Rangappa), Justice Department and NSC (Geltzer), and Pentagon (Goodman) officials team up to suggest questions for Mueller.
Just Security

House Should Prepare Criminal Referral of A.G. Barr for Lying to Congress

Mueller’s testimony puts not only the President’s job and criminal liability on the line. Attorney General Barr is in jeopardy too.
US Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and US Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, look on during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, June 11, 2019.

Dear Dems: Make Mueller’s Testimony About 2020, Not 2016

Congressional Democrats are champing at the bit to have Robert Mueller recite, on live television, the past indiscretions of Donald Trump that Mueller documented at length in his…
President Donald Trump puts his hand on the shoulder of Sen. Jeff Sessions after introducing him before Sessions's swearing in ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House February 9, 2017 in Washington, DC. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence stands behind Trump.

Presidential Abuse of Power Should Be Focus of Mueller Questioning

Instead of focusing on criminal conduct, the House must consider whether as president, Donald Trump abused his power or violated his oath of office.
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