Executive Branch

Just Security’s expert authors provide analysis of the U.S. executive branch related to national security, rights, and the rule of law. Analysis and informational resources focus on the executive branch’s powers and their limits, and the actions of the president, administrative agencies, and federal officials.

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4,711 Articles
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch arrives to testify before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. Photographers crowd in front of the bench she sits at and take photos. The chairs behind her appear crowded and full.

Congress Now Has More Power to Shed Light on Trump’s Abuses of Power

Throughout former President Donald Trump’s tenure, the White House stonewalled congressional oversight requests with impunity. Until now.
Relatives and friends hold photos of their missing loved ones at Galle Face promenade in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on August 28, 2018.

Spotlight on Sri Lanka as UN Human Rights Council Prepares Next Session

Concerns over impunity and a troubling decline in human rights will be prominent, with a long-awaited report by the UN high commissioner for human rights.
An insurrectionist gets very close to police officers at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The member of the Proud Boys wears a shirt reading “Anti-ANTIFA,” a helmet, face covering, and googles on top of the helmet. One police officer wears a face mask, but the other does not. Other insurrectionists stand behind the Proud Boys member.

The Capitol Assault and the Continuing Threat: A Podcast Conversation with Elizabeth Neumann

What was President Trump’s likely awareness of social media postings by extremists who signaled their intent to commit violence and assault the Capitol in advance of January…
People protest the Muslim travel ban outside of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on June 26, 2018. A sign reads, “No Muslim Ban”

Through the Looking Glass, Darkly: The Supreme Court’s Muslim Travel Ban Decision

Although the Muslim travel ban has now been consigned to the dustbin of history, it is worth reflecting how the Supreme Court’s decision already looks in retrospect.
International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and deputy prosecutor James Stewart attend the initial appearance before judges of member of the board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona of the Central African Republic, at the ICC in The Hague on January 25, 2019, following his extradition from France on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Biden Administration Should Engage with the ICC – the Evidence Shows That It Saves Lives

The ICC’s success is not determined by number of indictments or convictions but by its effect on the world - and the empirical evidence shows that the ICC reduces violations…
Anti-nuclear activists of ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) and other peace initiatives stage a protest with 51 flags of countries that ratified the UN Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons and a banner reading "Nuclear weapons are forbidden ! More than 50 states joined. Germany didn't", in front of the Chancellery in Berlin, on January 22, 2021.

NATO and the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty: Options for the Biden Administration

Whether the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons becomes a problem for NATO is entirely up to the allies.
Members of the Muslim Uighur minority hold placards as they demonstrate in front of the Chinese consulate on December 30, 2020, in Istanbul, to ask for news of their relatives and to express their concern after China announced the ratification of an extradition treaty with Turkey. One sign reads, “Where is My Family” and shows pictures of family members.

Genocide against the Uyghurs: Legal Grounds for the United States’ Bipartisan Genocide Determination

Secretary of State Blinken and his predecessor agreed on at least one thing: Chinese treatment of Uyghurs constitutes genocide. But does the situation meet the legal definition…
A hand touches a laptop that shows Facebook. Only the screen is lit up; the rest of the photo is dark.

Guardrails Needed for FBI Access to Social Media Monitoring

While social media analysis will be critical to investigations aimed at preventing acts of domestic terrorism, dragnet social media monitoring brings significant risks, and even…
This picture taken during a government-guided tour on December 27, 2020 shows inmates operating sewing machines at a workshop at al-Qanatir women's prison, at the tip of the Nile delta in Qalyoubiya province, about 30 kilometres north of Egypt's capital. The wear face masks and appear to be socially distanced.

Transforming the US Human Rights Report to Reflect Gender Rights — and Security

The Trump administration damaged the annual report's credibility. It is critical to rethink the data, especially on women and girls.
Head of the Houthi prisoner exchange committee Abdulkader al-Murtada shakes hands with Head of the Yemeni government delegation Hadi Haig between ICRC Director for the Near and Middle East Fabrizio Carboni and UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths at the end of a week-long meeting on a Yemen prisoner exchange agreement on September 27, 2020 in Glion, western Switzerland. None of them wear face masks and they stand close to one another.

US Terrorist Designation for Houthis is Bad for Yemen Even Beyond Crippling Aid Efforts

The Trump administration’s labeling of the armed group in its dying days in office also imperils political prospects for peace.
January 6th insurgents watch Trump on a billboard projection or television. This is a screenshot from the Parler video and shows the backs of peoples’ heads as they watch Trump.

“Fight for Trump”: Video Evidence of Incitement at the Capitol

New video footage scraped from Parler, and former federal prosecutors' reactions.
Side by side photos of Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, and Paul Manafort.

Gaps in Trump’s Pardons: How the Biden Administration Can Still Pursue Justice

Former FBI General Counsel and top prosecutor in Special Counsel's Office explains how the pardons for Bannon, Manafort, Stone left the door open for Justice Department to now…
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