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.
3,153 Articles
Trump and Witness Tampering–Where to Draw the Line
Discussion of Donald Trump’s possible criminal wrongdoing since assuming the presidency has focused most intensely on classical obstruction of justice. Those matters involve…
A Security Clearance Nightmare
As President, Donald Trump obviously has the right to hire and fire his top advisors as he sees fit. However, when the President indicates he may fire someone because they are…
A Second Look at the Steele Dossier
[Editor’s Note: In this special Just Security article, highly respected former member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service, John Sipher examines the Steele dossier…
The States Can Trump Trump’s Pardons: State Prosecutions for Money Laundering, Hacking Conspiracy, Tax Fraud, and More
This article is cross-posted at Shugerblog. After President Donald Trump pardoned former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, observers feared that the president was just warming up his pardon…
Naming the President as an Unindicted Co-conspirator?
As Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his staff go about their work, the media is rife with “what-ifs.” Among them — what if, as the great weight of legal commentary…
Norms Watch: Democracy, the Trump Administration, and Reactions to It (Aug 25-Sept 1)
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…
A Round-Up of Just Security’s Obstruction of Justice Coverage
President Donald Trump’s lawyers are trying to make the case that their client did not obstruct justice when he fired FBI Director James Comey in May and in his other actions…
A Baker’s Dozen of Additional Questions for the Russia Investigation
In her recent post, “20 Questions That Should Be Answered by the Russia Investigations,” Faiza Patel enumerates a series of questions that should be addressed by the various…
Norms Watch: Democracy, the Trump Administration, and Reactions to It (August 18-August 25)
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…
10 Similarities in David Duke’s and Pres. Trump’s Unscripted Remarks on Charlottesville
President Donald Trump’s remarks on Charlottesville during a news conference last Tuesday received applause from white nationalists including David Duke and Richard Spencer.…
20 Questions That Should Be Answered by the Russia Investigations
As speculation continues to swirl about President Donald Trump’s plans to put an end to the investigation being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the ongoing congressional…
How To Punish A President
There are many allegations against Donald Trump that may give rise some day to either criminal prosecution or congressional sanction. But what precisely are the available options…