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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4,605 Articles

House Should Consider Additional Impeachment Charge Relating to Trump’s Response to Russia Investigation

As the House moves to drafting and voting on articles of impeachment regarding President Donald Trump’s actions demanding a “favor” from Ukraine, there are reports that it…
Families sit and lie in overcrowded cells without privacy. Many individuals huddle in thin metallic emergency blankets as bedding. Barbed wire fencing serves as walls.

Holding DHS Accountable for a Child’s Death in the Custody of Border Patrol

A thorough federal criminal investigation under the civil rights laws is warranted in the case of 16-year-old Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump shake hands before a meeting in Helsinki, on July 16, 2018.

Trump’s Aim to Go Big on Nuclear Arms Control Should Begin by Extending New START

If President Trump actually seeks to avoid an arms race, maintain a cap on the Russian nuclear arsenal, and create the conditions for follow-on talks with Russia and new negotiations…
Barr and Trump

Barr’s Personal, Ad Hoc Declassification Authority and the Role of Congress

Much of Washington is fixated for varying reasons on the release of the report from Michael Horowitz, the Justice Department’s Inspector General, on the origins of the FBI’s…
Ranking member Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) watches minority counsel Steve Castor and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) confer during a House Intelligence Committee meeting in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 19, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Seven Outright Falsehoods in GOP Staff Report on Impeachment

"In order to depict the events at the heart of the Trump-Ukraine impeachment inquiry in a light that could at all be construed as a defense of President Trump’s conduct, it appears…
Gordon Sondland, the U.S ambassador to the European Union, testifies before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 20, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Why Does Gordon Sondland Still Have a Job?

The Ambassador should resign or be removed and the best timing for that is now, writes Ryan Goodman.
Trump Calls Prime Minister Of Ireland From Oval Office

Trump’s True Betrayal: A Pattern of Soliciting Foreign Interference in US Elections

President Donald Trump has repeatedly asked foreign governments to interfere in U.S. elections to help him maintain political power. And there is no reason to expect him to stop.…
U.S. Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer (L) talks to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson (R) prior to a hearing before Senate Armed Services Committee September 19, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

The Spencer Standoff with Trump over Gallagher Distracts from the Navy’s Real Problems

Focusing on Trump’s many faults in the Gallagher case obscures something even more troubling: the Navy has serious problems right now and its former leader, recently fired Secretary…
Gordon Sondland (L), the U.S ambassador to the European Union, confers with his attorney Bob Luskin (L) while testifying before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill November 20, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Here’s the Proof that Trump’s “No Quid Pro Quo” Call Never Happened

Congress may have been mistakenly led to believe there were two phone calls. There was only one. It was on Sept. 7, and it was highly incriminating.
Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney answers questions during a briefing at the White House October 17, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Trump’s Hold on Ukrainian Military Aid was Illegal

The Trump White House created an irregular budgetary process to match its irregular foreign policy process on Ukraine. Trump's withholding of military aid to Ukraine was illegal…
Trump talks to Giuliani as they exit the clubhouse following their meeting at Trump International Golf Club, November 20, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey.

Trump Ordered a Hold on Ukraine Military Assistance Earlier Than Reported

During the last few weeks of impeachment hearings, Republicans liked to cite a number — 55 — the number of days they thought the military aid for Ukraine was withheld. …
Side by side photographs of Rudy Giuliani, Devin Nunes, and Derek Harvey.

Timeline: Rep. Devin Nunes and Ukraine Disinformation Efforts

Comprehensive chronology of Rep. Devin Nunes and his top aide Derek Harvey's alleged work with Giuliani and indicted businessman Lev Parnas.
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