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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4,757 Articles
Pompeo speaks unmasked at a press conferenece on September 2, 2020.

Why Them? On the U.S. Sanctions Against Int’l Criminal Court Officials

What messages is the United States sending by targeting Fatou Bensouda and Phakiso Mochochoko in particular?
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) holds a joint news conference on the International Criminal Court with US Attorney General William Barr, at the State Department in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2020.

The Int’l Criminal Court Executive Order: Global Reactions Compiled

With the Trump administration poised to issue sanctions under its new executive order aimed at the ICC, Beth Van Schaack gathers key global reactions to the order and identifies…
John Durham and William Barr

Bill Barr’s Hidden Truths About Justice Department’s Rule of Forbearance in an Election

Revelations of what Barr said in a deposition under oath in 1995 and in a private Oval Office meeting with President Bush.

Does Cy Vance Already Have the Trump Organization Tax Returns?

The Manhattan DA may already have obtained the pertinent New York state tax returns for the Trump Organization and its executives, including Trump and his family. If this is the…
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley speaks about military operations flanked by Defense Secretary Mark Esper during the daily White House coronavirus press briefing April 1, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Finding the Right U.S. Defense Leaders

Military experience should not be a litmus test for a senior civilian position in the Defense Department, but it should not be a disqualifier either.
A protester watches federal officers through the gate in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility early in the morning on August 21, 2020 in Portland, Oregon.

Bringing Abolition to National Security

"Though far less explored, abolition may also be the most promising option for dealing with discriminatory national security laws and policies. Without understanding the historical,…
Graffiti showing a US drone is depicted on a wall to protest against US drone strikes on September 19, 2018 in Sana'a, Yemen.

State Dept. Inspector General Report: A Troubling Message on Arms Sales

"A stunning revelation given the repeated, severe cases of civilian casualties resulting from Saudi-led Coalition operations over the past several years."
Trump shakes hands with Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley after addressing the troops at Bagram Air Field during a surprise Thanksgiving day visit, on November 28, 2019 in Afghanistan.

Breaking Ranks in a Civil-Military Crisis: Strategic Communication to Register Dissent

Military leaders have principled options to address a legally questionable political decision while maintaining the rule of law and civilian control.
A facility believed to be a re-education camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained, north of Akto in China's northwestern Xinjiang region.

Policy Options in Response to Crimes Against Humanity and Potential Genocide in Xinjiang

The international community can unite in myriad ways to end the stunningly sweeping abuses China is committing against Uyghurs.
The U.S. Supreme Court at night.

The Supreme Court’s Attack on Habeas Corpus in DHS v. Thuraissigiam

Refugees are the primary target of the Court’s decision in DHS v. Thuraissigiam, but the the opinion endangers everyone – U.S. citizens included – by reopening settled questions…
Manafort, Johnson, and Giuliani

Manafort’s Reward: Sen. Ron Johnson and the Ukraine Conspiracy Investigation: Part II

How Senator Johnson’s efforts have worked in tandem with Paul Manafort’s efforts — as the former Trump campaign chair has likely remained silent in exchange for a pardon.
The headquarters of the United States Postal Service (USPS) is seen in Washington, DC, August 18, 2020.

Timeline: The Trump Administration and the U.S. Postal Service

A timeline of the pivotal events shaping the U.S. Postal Service that brought us to today's crisis.
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