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.
3,474 Articles
Brand Loyalty
For the No. 3 lawyer at the Justice Department to quit after just nine months on the job is, to say the least, unusual. Under the Trump administration, where the downright bizarre…
If Trump Pleads the Fifth, Here Are Mueller’s Options
In the last several days, President Donald Trump’s lawyers have floated what appears to be a trial balloon, suggesting that despite Trump’s bold proclamation that he welcomed…
Why the White House “System” for Security Clearances is an Intelligence Emergency
Former Bush and Obama official explains what exactly the risks are in having so many White House officials serve under long-term interim security clearances. She looks at the downstream…
It is up to House Intel Committee, not Trump, whether to release Democratic memo on the Page FISA application
News stories and headlines are saying things like, "Trump Blocks Release of Memo Rebutting Republican Claims” (New York Times)--but that's not accurate. The House Intelligence…
What’s the Story Behind Flynn’s Plea Deal?
A look at the plea deal of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the second in a series of posts on the central mysteries of the Trump-Russia investigation.
The Mysteries of the Trump-Russia Investigation: Known Unknowns
The first in a series of posts that examines the Mueller investigation’s central mysteries.
The White House Latest Move to Undermine Congressional Authority
Lost in the back-and-forth over the Nunes memo, is a new effort to weaken Congressional oversight and misdirect Congress.
Dissecting the Grassley-Graham Letter’s Criticisms of the Carter Page FISA Application
In a recently released letter and accompanying memo, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley (R- Iowa) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) outline concerns that reinforce…
Trump’s Four-Pronged War on the Administrative State
Among the many things the first year of the Trump presidency has given us is a new genre of op-ed. What might be called the resignation-confessional is headlined with some variation…
Debate, Dispute, Disagree—But Please Don’t Call for Arrest
No sooner had the Nunes Memo been released than the cries began. “Lock every single one of these bastards up,” tweeted former long-time Democratic Congressman John Dingell,…
How Well Did the Nunes Memo Answer the ‘5 Questions’?
Before the House Intelligence Committee released the Nunes memo on Friday, Asha Rangappa, a former FBI special agent, highlighted five questions that the memo would need to address…
Timeline of Carter Page’s Contacts with Russia [Updated]
At the heart of the recent Nunes memo controversy lies a FISA order application for former Trump campaign aide Carter Page. But Page had piqued the interest of FBI investigators…