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
Fiona Hill: A “Domestic Political Errand” Eclipsed the “Regular Channel” on Ukraine Policy
Hill’s testimony clarified that what had appeared to be the secretive “irregular” channel actually had sign-off from the president. And while several career officials charged…
National Security at the United Nations This Week
Security Council members condemn US policy shift on Israeli settlements, a Russia-sponsored cyber agreement that could pave the way for more Internet censorship moves forward,…
IG Falls Short of Justice in Investigating Political Retaliation at the State Department
The State Department IG report provides a cautionary tale and counsels us all to pay close attention to investigative methods before believing an IG’s conclusions.
A Real-Time Lesson in Leadership and Ethics from the Impeachment Hearings
"The complete and stunning silence of Pompeo, Esper and Maguire to offer even a scant endorsement of their employees has been both shocking and has left a dark and perhaps indelible…
About Those Constitutional Norms, Mr. Attorney General
The president’s non-cooperation in the Ukraine investigation breaches the bipartisan understanding that the president has a responsibility to come clean with Congress about foreign…
White House Counsel Sends Fiona Hill Letter on “Executive Privilege” on Eve of Public Hearing
On Thursday, Deputy White House Counsel Michael M. Purpura sent a letter to Fiona Hill’s attorney setting out the administration’s views of executive privilege. The letter…
Will Gordon Sondland Finally Come Clean When He Testifies?
All eyes will be on the U.S. ambassador to the European Union when he testifies in front of the House impeachment inquiry tomorrow.
President Trump is Damaging Our Military: War Crimes Cases are the Latest Example
President Trump's intervention in military justice cases involving service members convicted or accused of war crimes continues a pattern of the president taking actions that weaken…
Chart: Side-by-Side Comparison of Kurt Volker’s vs Other Witnesses’ Testimony in Impeachment Inquiry
It appears that Ambassador Volker lied to Congress in violation of federal law for denying knowledge or involvement in President Trump and Giuliani’s efforts to press Ukraine…
Trump Repudiates a Century of U.S. Policy
The United States has consistently held that it was in our national security interest to ensure that only peaceful means were used to alter political boundaries in Europe. The…
Go See The Report, Then Let’s Put Torture to Bed For Good
The movie is a much-needed reminder that many people know very little about our government’s decision to torture in the aftermath of 9/11, and maybe even less about related developments…
Highlights of Taylor-Kent Hearing and Connections to Other Witnesses
Key takeaways from the first day of public hearings in the House impeachment inquiry, with crucial insights from top experts on Ukraine, congressional oversight, and rule of law.