Democracy & Rule of Law
Rule of Law
923 Articles

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.

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.

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"

Posse Comitatus Act Meets the President’s “Protective Powers”: What’s Next in Newsom v. Trump
"Congress has been far more clear than is widely believed about what its view is..."

Just Security’s Russia–Ukraine War Archive
A catalog of over 100 articles (many with Ukrainian translations) on the Russia Ukraine War -- law, diplomacy, policy options, and more.

The Sarkozy-Gaddafi Trial Exposes Corruption’s Devastating Effect on Libyans
Alongside its democratic commitments, France should also reckon with the human rights consequences of its Libya foreign policy and interference in the post-Sarkozy era.

Mass Deportation Policy and the Constitution: My Testimony Before the Senate Spotlight Forum
McCord's remarks for Senate panel address the administration’s mass deportation policy and constitutional rights of citizens and noncitizens.

“The Insurrection Act” by Any Other Name: Unpacking Trump’s Memorandum Authorizing Domestic Deployment of the Military
"The Memorandum ... raises many of the same concerns as an Insurrection Act invocation would, and that could end up looking quite similar in practice."

Big Tents and Collective Action Can Defeat Authoritarianism
The journey from individual angst to collective action and shared humanity takes time, vision, and commitment. Cases around the world show it is also the pathway to victory.

What Just Happened: The Trump Administration’s Dismissal of Voting Rights Lawsuits
Retreat from voting rights enforcement and efforts to tighten access to the ballot mark a rupture with the Civil Rights Division’s traditional role.

When the Free Press Falters: What America Can Learn from Russia’s Descent
The unraveling of press freedom in the United States mirrors Putin's capture of the Russian media, write two experts who know both terrains.

How Trump’s Law Firm Settlements Circumvent Congress and Violate Federal Spending Laws
The Trump administration has operated outside the appropriations process and congressional oversight through its law firm settlements.