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.
3,112 Articles

Whistleblower Documents Implicate Emil Bove in Criminal Contempt Order by Chief Judge Boasberg
Email released by whistleblower would presumably implicate Bove in the “contumacious conduct” identified by Chief Judge Boasberg.

Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
A public resource tracking all the legal challenges to the Trump administration's executive orders and actions.

The Taliban’s Slow Dismantling of Afghan Media
The slow death of Afghan media is a tragedy not just for the many brave Afghan journalists, but for the country as a whole.

Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of Trump Administration Executive Actions
Coverage of key developments, including in concise “What Just Happened” expert explainers, legal and policy analysis, and more. Check back frequently for updates.

Hanging “Like a Guillotine”: Trump v. CASA and the Risk of Statelessness
For the first time in modern history, children born on American soil may be rendered stateless. The risk to non-citizen children is real and urgent.

Will to Resist: What Dartmouth Teaches Harvard About Protecting American Freedom
"One of the most consequential Supreme Court decisions arose from the courageous resolve of the Dartmouth College trustees to resist the unlawful encroachments..."

The U.S. Attack on Iran Was Unconstitutional
Trump’s strike on Iran violated constitutional limits on the president's unilateral power to take the nation to war—an authority the Framers reserved for Congress.

The Trump Administration’s Use of State Power Against Media: Keeping Track of the Big Picture
Tracking the use of State power requires systematically identifying linkages between individual developments and broader trends. This graphic offers one method.

Autocracy, Corruption, and Decline: Why Hungary and Orbanism Must Never be a Model for the U.S.
Adopting Orban's model would reshape the U.S. into a country that shares Hungary's weakened checks and balances, corruption, and stumbling economy.

Nondelegation and Major Questions Doctrines Can Constrain Power Grabs by Presidents of Both Parties
Enforcing the nondelegation and major questions doctrines can help curb the danger posed by sweeping authority concentrated in a president of either party.

From War to Control: How the Recent Iran-Israel Conflict Risks Deepening the Islamic Republic’s Repression
The ceasefire may stop the bombs, but it will not reverse the repression that has long defined Islamic Republic’s internal trajectory.

Trump’s Use of Federal Troops in Drug Raid Outside of Los Angeles: An Alarming Escalation
"An alarming escalation of the president's efforts to use the military as a domestic police force. Based on currently available information, it appears to be illegal, as well"