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.
4,605 Articles
About that Trial Balloon on Using 9/11 AUMF to Authorize Strikes on Iran
Monday’s Washington Times included a breathless “Exclusive” report titled “Iran-al Qaeda Alliance May Provide Legal Rationale for U.S. Military Strikes.” In the piece,…
Unpacking (Some of) the Legal Issues Surrounding Hoda Muthana
Even before the President weighed in on Twitter, there’s been substantial discussion about the fate of so-called “ISIS bride” Hoda Muthana, and her apparent desire…
What You Need to Know about the “National Emergency Declaration”
Editor’s Note: This article was updated after the President’s announcement to add a fifth analysis. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on Friday,…
Secretary Pompeo: More Russia Sanctions Are Coming … Sometime
This article is cross-posted at Steptoe International Compliance Blog. On February 13, 2019, the State Department provided a summary of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s recent…
So This Is What Congress’ Getting Involved in Foreign Affairs Looks Like
Analysts and scholars have long wondered what it would look like if Congress reasserted itself in foreign affairs. It’s a role that Just Security Founding Editor (and my former…
Will Executive Privilege Block Congress’ Access to Trump-Putin Helsinki Meeting Notes?
Executive privilege looms large as Congress seeks translator's notes about the off-books Trump-Putin meeting in Helsinki. But that is only the beginning of the separation of powers…
ICC Judge Schmitt Counsels Resilience to Preserve International Justice
Editor’s note: At a difficult time for the International Criminal Court (ICC)—criticism over recent rulings, resistance from current and prospective members, and threats from…
Election Security: Questions for the House Homeland Security Hearing
The U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security is conducting a hearing on election security tomorrow. It’s part of a series the new Democratic majority in the House is holding…
The Pentagon’s Latest Report on Civilian Casualties Policy
Late on Friday night, the Pentagon submitted to Congress and publicly released a 17-page report required under the 2019 John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)…
Congress, Saudi Arabia, and the Conflict in Yemen: Where do We Go from Here?
Congress has strong options to constrain U.S. involvement in Yemen's civil war and hold Saudi Arabia's leadership accountable for human rights abuses, including the killing of…
EXCLUSIVE: FBI’s War Crimes Unit on the Chopping Block
The FBI's International Human Rights Unit may be dissolved, according to US officials. Here's why that's a bad idea, writes Beth Van Schaack.
The Whitaker Hearing: Potential Executive Privilege and Subpoena Fireworks
It appears acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker allowed an important deadline to pass on the eve of his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Jerrold Nadler…