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
The Importance of Protecting Civilians—Through Law, Strategy, and Tactics
The spate of allegations of civilian deaths as a result of US operations in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen over the last few weeks has garnered significant interest from humanitarian groups…
To Senate Committee on Homeland Security: Five Questions for Secretary Kelly About Passwords Demands at the Border
On January 31, an NASA engineer and U.S. citizen, Sidd Bikkannavar, was informed by federal border agents he hat he was required to turn over the password to his smartphone on…
Top Human Rights Lawyers’ Views on Trump’s Human Rights Record
“Human rights are at a nadir in Egypt,” wrote Human Rights Watch on the eve of President Donald Trump’s Monday meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at the…
Why Flynn Isn’t Getting Immunity Anytime Soon
[Editor’s Note: This post is part of a Just Security symposium on retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn’s legal jeopardy. Ready Alex’s earlier post, “Flynn’s…
A Primer on the Foreign Agents Registration Act—and Related Laws Trump Officials May Have Broken
About a week ago, I wrote a pair of posts about the increasing insinuation in various camps that, if in fact the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government to influence…
Trump’s Meeting with China’s Xi Is Risky with U.S. Asia Policy Up in the Air
“Everything is under negotiation, including One China.” Those words, said by president-elect Donald Trump in January as he questioned U.S. policy on Taiwan, could mark the…
Norms Watch: Tracking the Erosion of Democratic Traditions (Mar. 24-31)
Editor’s Note: Welcome to the latest installment of Norms Watch, our series tracking both the flouting of democratic norms by the Trump administration and the erosion of…
ISIS Tactic of “Baiting” US-Coalition to Kill Civilians–and who bears responsibility
Many are searching for an explanation for the recent spike in civilian casualties resulting from coalition operations in Iraq and Syria, including specific incidents which have…
Flynn’s Public Offer to Testify for Immunity Suggests He May Have Nothing to Say
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn told the FBI and Congress that he is willing to testify in exchange for immunity. But it’s…
Following the Money: Russia, Cyprus, and the Trump Team’s Odd Business Dealings
While names like Carter Page, Roger Stone and Michael Flynn dominate headlines amidst allegations of possible collusion with Russia, there’s another angle to Donald Trump’s…
Q&A on Senate Intelligence Committee Press Conference with Burr and Warner
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), who are leading the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential…
Sally Yates, Russia Testimony & Executive Privilege in the Trump Era
This week has shed light on the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to executive privilege, but it has also cast doubt over President Donald Trump’s ability to assert…