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
Fox’s Seth Rich Story, Don Jr’s Statement, and Legal Implications for the President
In the last 48 hours, the press has reported twice on the President’s, or the White House’s, involvement in putting out false or misleading information about Russia-Trump…
Norms Watch: Democracy, the Trump Administration, and Reactions to It (July 21-July 28)
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…
We Are Already in a State of Emergency
As Trump reissues his “lock her up” talk against Hillary Clinton and assaults the Justice Department, FBI, and media, the Brennan Center recently had a prescient meeting about…
Fighting Terrorism Without Dividing Us: Why Congress Must Look Beyond Countering Violent Extremism
On Thursday July 27, the National Security Subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing on “Combatting Homegrown Terrorism.”…
As Hackers Target U.S. Voting Machines, We Need Leaders Who’ll Put Country Over Party
“If there has ever been a clarion call for vigilance and action against a threat to the very foundation of our democratic political system, this episode is it,” former…
The President’s Pardons Paradox: Granting Them Could Aid the Prosecution
It emerged late last week that President Trump has reportedly queried his lawyers regarding the nature and scope of his authority to pardon individuals including himself. Over…
If “Love” Knows No Bounds: On Criminal “Intent” and the Scope of Campaign Finance Law
If the Trump campaign solicited support from Russians in the race against Hillary Clinton, did it, or any of its staff, have the mental state required for prosecution under federal…
Q&A on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Decision to Subpoena Manafort
On Monday night, the leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to compel Paul Manafort, the former chairman of the Trump presidential campaign, to testify at a…
The Three Sessions Succession Scenarios
President Trump took to Twitter this morning ostensibly to defend his “beleaguered” Attorney General, even though at least some of that beleaguerment is, thanks to…
President Trump’s Unsurprising Endorsement of Illegal Solicitation–His 2016 Campaign Repeatedly Violated Ban on Soliciting Foreign Donations
It’s not surprising that President Donald Trump believes that “most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don Jr. attended in order to get info on an opponent”…
How the Prospect of Indictment Could Impact the President’s Decision Making
Over the weekend, the New York Times revealed that former Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr concluded that it was “proper, constitutional, and legal for a federal grand…
Can Jared Kushner Be Impeached?
Overhanging Jared Kushner when he testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Monday is the threat of criminal prosecution – for alleged past behavior and for perjury…