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.
4,594 Articles

Legal Flaws in the Trump Administration’s Notice to Congress on “Armed Conflict” with Drug Cartels
The Trump administration’s “armed conflict” justification, however, is groundless.

Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug Traffickers
Collection of expert analysis on the legality of the U.S. strike on Venezuelan vessels in the Caribbean, the consequences of the strike, and related issues.

AI’s Hidden National Security Cost
Generative AI is being integrated across the federal workplace, but efficiency gains risk weakening national security professionals’ critical thinking and judgment.

Taking Stock of the Birthright Citizenship Cases, Part IV: DOJ’s Ineffective Responses to Plaintiffs’ Statutory Argument
Analysis of birthright citizenship statutory arguments now before the Supreme Court.

FAQ for Senior Military Officers at Hegseth’s Quantico Meeting
Military justice expert Eugene Fidell answers crucial questions ahead of next week's senior military meeting with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Repression as Rescue: The Authoritarian Logic of Trump’s Early Executive Orders
The rhetorical threats Trump employed during his campaign are directly echoed in the titles and content of his second-term EOs.

Collection: Just Security’s Coverage of Trump Administration Executive Actions
Coverage of key developments, including in concise “What Just Happened” expert explainers, legal and policy analysis, and more. Check back frequently for updates.

US Servicemembers’ Exposure to Criminal Liability for Lethal Strikes on Narcoterrorists
Analysis by former career judge advocate officer and former court-martial prosecutor.

Private Prison Companies’ Enormous Windfall: Who Stands to Gain as ICE Expands
With unparalleled funding for ICE, corporations supporting the growth of detention infrastructure will continue to see soaring profits.

Trump’s Use of Consent Decrees to Dismantle Policy
The administration has turned consent decrees into a deregulatory weapon, and courts are beginning to confront the limits of that strategy.

The U.S. Deportation Industrial Complex: Arrests and Detention by the Numbers
Detaining citizens & immigrants without a public safety rationale is inconsistent with American values and wastes of taxpayer money.

Could Trump Use the Uniform Code of Military Justice to Stifle the Protected Speech of Military Retirees?
The concerns expressed about the possible application of UCMJ's Article 88 to the protected speech of retired military officers aren't theoretical.