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.
3,366 Articles

The Trump Indictment: What Top Intelligence Experts Are Saying
On June 13, former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in response to an historic federal indictment concerning the mishandling of highly classified U.S. intelligence information.…

DHS’s Newest Target: Atlanta “Cop City” Activists
Homeland security organizations are injecting federal spy agencies into local political matters, often without meaningful restrictions.

Disinformation in a Triple Threat: How Old and New Challenges Make Peacekeeping More Dangerous
As the largest financial contributor – and debtor – to UN peacekeeping, the US is uniquely positioned to reverse the trend.

An Opening to Deescalate the Iran Nuclear Crisis?
Iran’s recent willingness to work with the IAEA on transparency measures could be a step toward deescalating the nuclear crisis.

How Much Prison Time Does Former President Trump Face? Applying the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines
Calculating a potential prison sentence, with some caveats, in the case of former President Donald Trump's indictment.

Recovering a Role for the Courts in Decisions to Wage War: How Congress Can Overcome the Political Question Doctrine (Some of the Time)
Congress should consider when and how the laws it enacts will be enforced and take steps to empower members of Congress to effectively challenge illegal wars in court.

The Just Security Podcast: An Insider View of Trump’s Second Indictment
Espionage Act cases often require a balancing of the need to protect sensitive intelligence information and a defendant’s due process rights.

National Security Implications of Trump’s Indictment: A Damage Assessment
The former president's retention of highly classified intelligence has potentially grave implications for U.S. national security.

Four Takeaways From the Department of Justice Audit on Countering Domestic Terrorism
The Office of the Inspector General advises a department-wide strategy to bring together separate efforts from across all sections.

Pending Supreme Court Case Complicates Special Counsel Smith’s Choices
Much has been written in the last 24 hours about where charges against former President Donald Trump would be brought with respect to his handling of government documents and obstructing…
Bad for the Goose, Bad for the Gander: Drone Attacks in Russia Underscore Broader Risks
Recent drone attacks in Russia highlight legal and policy risks that must be weighed carefully.

The Road to Fairer Congressional Districts Might Start with the States
The route to less racially or politically gerrymandered congressional districts could pass through remapping state legislative districts.