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.
4,757 Articles

First They Came For Me and My Colleagues: The U.S. Attack on the Int’l Criminal Court
Professor Leila Nadya Sadat has served since December 2012 as the Special Adviser to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor on Crimes Against Humanity.

I help children in armed conflict. The President is forcing me to stop.
Professor Diane Marie Amann has served since December 2012 as the Special Adviser to the International Criminal Court Prosecutor on Children in and affected by Armed Conflict.

A Solution in Search of a Problem: The Dangerous Invalidity of Divesting Military Commanders of Disposition Authority for Military Criminal Offenses
Introducing an Open Letter from former U.S. Military Commanders and Judge Advocates to the Committees on Armed Services of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

Who Should Decide: Prosecutorial Discretion and Military Justice
The American military has operated under a separate justice system since before the signing of the United States Constitution. The distinct character of military society drives…

11 Top Antitrust Experts Alarmed by Whistleblower Complaint Against A.G. Barr—and Office of Professional Responsibility’s Opinion
"I was surprised to find every one of the 11 experts was alarmed by the allegations and several were highly critical of the Office of Professional Responsibility's handling of…

The Harm of Nuclear Weapons Tests for Peaceful Nuclear Power
Any US efforts that undermine key treaties would erode the global nonproliferation regime that advances the safety of civil nuclear technologies.

Crises of Accountability for U.S. Systemic Abuses of Power
On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the United States is at a crossroads. We will know soon if the country is capable of breaking the cycle of impunity…

Trump’s Rationale for Attacking the ICC—Continuity with Bush and Obama’s War on Terrorism
An article by the first Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

National Guard Risks and Recommendations in Public Order Management
Since the tragic murder of George Floyd by police on May 25, more than 20 states have activated National Guard units to support local law enforcement in response to protests…

The Deeply Concerning, Misguided D.C. Circuit Mandamus Ruling in the Flynn Case
Analysis of the Court of Appeals' decision of June 24, 2020 in the case of Michael Flynn.

The ICC Wants Justice But Has No Mandate
The recent escalation in the ongoing conflict between the United States and the International Criminal Court (ICC) is as unfortunate as it is predictable, having come to a head…

The Progressive Defense Budget
According to a June 5 Communications Office of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) memo, the HASC will be marking up the FY2021 defense budget for the rest of this month.…