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
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…
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’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.…
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…
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.
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 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. …
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.
Understanding the Two Mazars Subpoena Cases Before the Supreme Court [UPDATED to reflect 11/25 stay of mandate]
Two cases currently before the Supreme Court involve whether the Constitution prohibits subpoenas issued to Donald Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA, LLP, requiring Mazars…
Clear Goal of Barr/Durham Probe is to Scare Off Intelligence Community
In order for their counter-narrative to stick, President Trump and his associates need to destroy all trust in the Intelligence Community.
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,…