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.
4,597 Articles
Irrefutable Evidence for Unspeakable Crimes? The Role of the Written Order in Proving and Denying Genocide
An explicit written order has not been -- nor should be -- necessary, whether for international justice or for collective memory.
Key Takeaways from Biden Administration Report on Israeli Use of US Weapons
On Friday, May 10, the Biden administration released its overdue first report required by National Security Memorandum 20 (NSM-20) assessing the conduct of Israel and other foreign…
State Department Submits Key Report to Congress on Israel’s Use of US Weapons
The State Department submitted its NSM-20 report on Israeli assurances that use of U.S. weapons will follow international law.
What Happens After Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Absolute Immunity: Mapping 3 Scenarios
Mapping different outcomes for the Court's decision on Trump's presidential immunity and the follow-on procedural pathways emerging from those scenarios.
For Another Year, DoD Fails to Make Condolence Payments to Civilian Harm Victims
Despite recent reforms, the Pentagon still has not made any condolence payments for civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations.
No, Trump Was Not Good for US Alliances. And Without Changes, Trump 2.0 Will Be Worse.
His supporters' endorsements of his record belie his flouting of the ties of trust required for a rules-based international order.
Keeping Count: Major Adverse Legal Findings Against Donald Trump (Nov. 2020-2024)
Tracking former President Donald Trump's string of major defeats in the legal system after the 2020 election.
US-UK Strikes in Yemen Raise Questions About Commitments on Civilian Harm Mitigation
It is urgent for both the U.S. and U.K. to address concerns of civilian harm allegations in Yemen to fulfill their own policy commitments.
Trump Case Unveils: The ‘National Enquirer Trial’ That Never Was
Analysis of the revelations of the potential criminal case that might have been brought against the National Enquirer for actions in 2016 presidential election.
Why No “Plain Statement Rule” Bars a President’s Prosecution for Murder
Drilling into the foundations of an idea - the 'plain statement rule' - discussed in Supreme Court oral argument on former President Trump's claims to presidential immunity.
An Oversight Model for AI in National Security: The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board
Congress must create an AI oversight authority with the mandate and resources to build safeguards into these systems from the outset.
America’s Sanctions Habit is Hurting Peacemaking
Without reforms to blunt sanctions’ negative consequences for peacemaking, their effectiveness will be limited. Far greater effort is needed to ensure that this instrument of…