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
What Are the Consequences of the Trump Administration’s Recent Treaty Withdrawals?
Resorting to treaty withdrawal in response to adverse actions by other parties or decisions by international courts sets a destabilizing precedent.
Justice Dept Must Open Criminal Investigation Into Potential War Crimes by U.S. Mercenaries in Yemen
the Justice Dept has clear authority to investigate a band of American mercenaries for alleged killings carried out in Yemen, acts which may amount to murder or war crimes.
Family Separations: Evolved Not Resolved
In a new development, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California has approved a settlement in a set of family separation cases.
Planning for ‘Cyber Fallout’ After the Iranian Nuclear Deal
Keep your cyber tools close, your history books closer. For some, the signing of the July 2015 Iran nuclear deal might appear as a “watershed moment” for abating the…
Annotation of Sec. Pompeo’s Certification of Yemen War: Civilian Casualties and Saudi-Led Coalition
Former special counsel to Pentagon critiques Pompeo's memo which claimed Saudis have taken sufficient steps to reduce civilian casualties.
Contempt Prosecutions Require Comity Between Branches of Government, Now Add Trump
The campaign season for the midterm elections is in full swing, with the Republican majorities in the House and, to a lesser extent, Senate in some peril. Should we have a divided…
What Might Force Mueller’s Hand Before the Midterms? Exceptions to the DOJ 60-Day “Rule”
How much does this standard tie Mueller’s hands, and is there anything that might argue in favor of a pre-election surprise? Could, for example, efforts by Trump affiliates to…
Taking Stock of the FBI’s Role in Senate Confirmations after Kavanaugh
I previously wrote that at least some of Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation challenges are symptomatic of the White House’s general disdain of the vetting process. That may seem…
There Is An Answer for Progressive National Security, and There Always Has Been
The left – rightly or wrongly — has long suffered from a reputation that when it comes to progressive politics, national security is not a top priority. Now, under the…
Biodefense: Coordinating Our Response to Deadly Disease with a Strategy and Policy Memo
The FBI arrested a Navy veteran for sending two letters to a Pentagon distribution center that tested positive for ricin, providing a test run on the effectiveness of interagency…
Here Are the 30 People the FBI Needs to Interview in its Kavanaugh Investigation
There are 30 witnesses who are known and who must, at a minimum, be included in any serious FBI inquiry of the sexual assault allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Worst Suspicions Confirmed: Government Reports Show Domestic Anti-Terrorism Efforts Target Minorities
Three recent U.S. government reports on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) initiatives confirm many of the concerns the Brennan Center has had about these programs since they were…