Trump administration first term
476 Articles
‘I Won’t Torture’ is Not Enough: Question Pompeo on US Rendition Policy
Numerous concerns have been raised about Mike Pompeo, President Trump’s nominee for secretary of state. Though the US Senate confirmed him as the Central Intelligence Agency…
Can Bolton Actually Deliver an America First National Security Policy?
In his first week as National Security Advisor, John Bolton has walked into the first of what will be countless crises over the course of his tenure: whether to strike Syria in…
John Bolton: A Threat At Home And Abroad?
On April 9th, General H.R. McMaster will vacate the National Security Advisor position for a man widely viewed as his temperamental and intellectual opposite: former U.N. ambassador…
The Military, the Mexican Border and Posse Comitatus: Four Key Takeaways
The four core legal issues to watch as a “militarized border” implementation plan develops. Written by former Navy commander, serving as a tactical jet aviator and attorney…
Ex-Military, Intelligence, and Foreign Policy Officials: Travel Ban Harms National Security
On April 25, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Trump v. Hawaii, the case testing the statutory and constitutional validity of President Donald Trump’s travel…
The Personnel Crisis Awaiting the Next Secretary of State
Although the personnel change was rumored for months, it was still stunning when President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday morning via Twitter, and…
DHS’ Constant Vetting Initiative: a Muslim-Ban by Algorithm
Above: President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Late last week, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) wrote to the Department of Homeland Security, urging it…
Just Security Podcast: Sam Vinograd on Trump’s Weakness Toward Russia on Syria
Last Friday, I spoke with former National Security Council official Samantha Vinograd about President Trump’s reluctance to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin, and…
The Human Cost of Trump’s Weakness Toward Russia
Chemical weapons attacks, aerial bombardments, malnutrition, sexual violence and other means of torture define Syria, with a new massive atrocity every few weeks. There is no end…
I’ve Been Part of the Problem: Politicizing General Officer Influence
Trump's number of flag officers in high-level civilian positions goes beyond the norm, but his administration is not the only one who’s sought to take advantage of the unique…
The White House Latest Move to Undermine Congressional Authority
Lost in the back-and-forth over the Nunes memo, is a new effort to weaken Congressional oversight and misdirect Congress.
How Well Did the Nunes Memo Answer the ‘5 Questions’?
Before the House Intelligence Committee released the Nunes memo on Friday, Asha Rangappa, a former FBI special agent, highlighted five questions that the memo would need to address…