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.
4,711 Articles

Revisiting the Office of Legal Counsel’s Override Opinion
A critical analysis of 1989 OLC Opinion that would allow President to use force in violation of UN Charter and without Congressional support.

How to Restore Ethics to the U.S. Department of State
The task demands accountability for the ethical scandals that have occurred at State during the Trump administration and a public commitment to rebuilding the infrastructure, including…

The Urgent Need to Restore Independence to America’s Politicized Immigration Courts
Incoming President Biden should do all in his power to reestablish fairness, consistency, and efficiency in a system hobbled under the Department of Justice.

The Future of U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Massive warrantless surveillance endangers both constitutional rights and U.S. competitiveness in a global information marketplace. There’s only one solution to these sets of…

Why Trump Should Not Have Access to U.S. Intelligence After January 20
Since 2015, when he first declared he was running for president, Donald Trump has posed a major national security risk, one that the American people will continue to bear well…

The GSA’s Delay in Recognizing the Biden Transition Team and the National Security Implications
Why the absence of a concession and existence of litigation are no excuse for the GSA under the Presidential Transition Act to delay any further, and the immense national security…

Turning the Page: A Biden Presidency and the Role for Us
From our editors-in-chief and editorial director.

Destroying Federal Documents During a Presidential Transition Is a Federal Crime
Destroying or stealing documents belonging to the United States government is a crime.

Initial Risk Assessment for U.S. Post-Election Violence
President Donald Trump's false statements about the results are the primary driver for the increased threat of post-election violence.

Six Disinformation Threats in the Post-Election Period
Those seeking to sow discord may be keeping their powder dry until after November 3rd.

Good Governance Paper No. 23: Rebuild and Renew the Diplomatic Corps
Last in a series of top experts exploring proposals to restore and promote nonpartisan principles of good government, public integrity, and rule of law.

Politicizing the Civil Service: How a New Executive Order Destabilizes the U.S. Government
President Donald Trump unveiled a stunning executive order that threatens to undermine one of the most important aspects of American government: the professional civil service.…