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
Cyber operations on mission in the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade operations center at Fort Meade, Md. U.S. Army Cyber Command. The room is covered with computer screens on desks as well as larger screens on the front wall. Each soldier appears to have three screens to their self.

Norm-Skepticism in Cyberspace? Counter-Factual and Counterproductive

Leading expert on international law and cyber responds to statement by Chief of US Naval Operations, Admiral Mike Gilday on international norms in cyberspace.
Iraqi anti-government protesters rest beneath graffiti at Tahrir Square as nationwide protests entered a third month on December 5, 2019, in Baghdad, Iraq. The graffiti art reads, “An idea cannot be destroyed,” and shows a police officer beating a dandelion. On the other side of the wall, there is an image of an injured person lying on a cloud while their blood rains down on people below.

After Soleimani Killing, Iran and Its Proxies Recalibrate in Iraq

Understanding the motivations and capabilities of leading Iranian-backed militia units is vital for an effective US and Iraqi response to likely violence in the coming months.
Trump speaks at the CIA headquarters on January 21, 2017 in Langley, Virginia. Trump spoke with about 300 people in his first official visit with a government agency.

The President’s War on Intelligence: Yes, It’s Worse Than You Think

The delayed cost of the president’s war on intelligence will be measured in terms of the steps backward that the U.S. is taking to pursue genuine intelligence reform, as it did…
A person takes a photo of the official seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on their iPhone. J. Edgar Hoover headquarters February 23, 2016 in Washington, DC

The FBI and Apple Redux

It remains to be seen how this new clash will resolve itself, but the stakes have only increased for both sides.
In this picture taken on February 7, 2020, a mother shows her phone to her child who has cancer as they sit inside a ward in a hospital in Srinagar. Both wear face masks.

As Trump Returns from India, Others in U.S. Must Press Modi on Rights in Kashmir and Across the Country

It is critical that a broad and diverse group of powerful actors in the United States not ignore the Indian government’s turn toward authoritarianism.
U.S. Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks during a news conference following the bipartisan Senate vote on the War Powers Resolution on Iran with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tom Udall (D-NM) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) at the U.S. Capitol on February 13, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Congress Speaks: Trump Currently Has No Authority to Launch War with Iran

The House and Senate have passed resolutions that say President Trump has no authority to take the country to war against Iran.
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee meets to consider articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump at the Longworth House Office Building on Thursday December 12, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Congress Is Ready for FISA Reform — Will the House Judiciary Committee Rise to the Occasion?

In the next 24 hours, the House Judiciary Committee has a unique opportunity to seriously reform FISA surveillance powers.
William Barr in 1992 and in 2019

Let the Rule of Law Rule Law Enforcement: Reflections on the Current Attorney General’s Tenure

A former Acting Attorney General who earlier served with Bill Barr in the H.W. Bush administration writes scathing critique of Barr.
Graphics depicting war powers reporting. The first graphic shows a map with certain regions highlighted in different shades of purple. Most are in Africa and the Middle East. The second graph is a circle with green lines extending to other areas of the circle.

New Online Resource: War Powers and Presidential Practice

"Intended for use by policymakers, legislators, scholars, journalists and the general public, the Project is an expansive new resource that analyzes the war powers reporting practice…
Attorney General William Barr (C) speaks during a press conference on the shooting at the Pensacola naval base January 13, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Dis-Barr the Justice Department

“I testified at Barr's Senate confirmation hearing. I urged the Senate to reject the nomination. … I am not saying here that I told you so. Rather, my warning was insufficiently…
Andrew Weissmann, Lisa Monaco, Bob Bauer, and Ryan Goodman speak on a pannel at NYU Law.

Video of Panel on the “Crisis at the Justice Department”

Bob Bauer, Lisa Monaco, and Andrew Weissmann, with Ryan Goodman (moderator).
Demonstrators holds up placards and banners while demonstrating, asking for Yahya Jammeh, the former President of the Gambia, to be brought to justice, in Banjul on January 25, 2020. One of the signs says, "No Place for Enforced Disappearance in Gambia."

Senators Call for Prosecution of Gambian Paramilitary Fighter in US Custody

Rare opportunity to criminally prosecute a person implicated in extremely grave human rights abuses in a U.S. court.
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