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Tess Bridgeman

@tessbridgeman.bsky.social
6.2K followers 723 following 363 posts

Co-editor-in-chief @justsecurity.org | NYU Law RCLS Sr. Fellow | Berkeley Law | Former National Security Council Deputy Legal Adviser, White House Associate Counsel & Special Assistant to the President (Obama) | Former State Department

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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Our latest Reinvention Blueprint is here! Read Mary McCord's Blueprint on "Building Authorities for Domestic Use of the Military That Work" Authorities on domestic deployment of the military are "outdated, vague, and subject to abuse" - Mary explains why & how to fix them 👇 #ReinventionBlueprints
justsecurity.org
Building Authorities for Domestic Use of the Military that Work
Authorities for domestic use of the military are outdated and subject to abuse — a blueprint for a single modern statute, enforceable limits, and judicial review.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
1/NEW: Our latest Collection @justsecurity.org: "Questions for Congress" In a multi-crisis moment with competing demands, we're collecting key oversight questions for #Congress. Authors may also include key documents to subpoena, witnesses to interview, etc.: Check back often 👇
justsecurity.org
Collection: Questions for Congress
Collection of articles with key oversight questions for the U.S. Congress by leading experts, organized by topic.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trump at the UN on #Venezuela: "To the victor belong the spoils" "It was a war, but it's perhaps the biggest deal ever made” Shameful. Hard work is ahead to unravel this & ensure it can't happen again. Qs Congress needs to ask on US theft of Venezuela's assets (by @k8brannen.bsky.social & me):
justsecurity.org
Questions for Congress on Venezuela’s Assets
Congress should pose the following questions to the administration about the assets it claims to have seized from Venezuela.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Read this thread by @rgoodlaw.bsky.social on the Special Rapporteur's conclusion: "reasonable grounds to believe" that the boat strikes "that killed 223 people constituted crimes against humanity of murder" And then read our collection to understand why & what Congress can do about it 👇:
justsecurity.org
Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug Traffickers, Operation Southern Spear, Operation Absolute Resolve
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.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
With move of solidarity by press pool in response to Trump ban on MSNow, CNN, Politico ⬇️ An excellent analysis by @bechamilton.bsky.social in 2025: The Imperative of Solidarity in Response to Assaults on Legal Services, Universities, and Independent Media www.justsecurity.org/109439/colle...
Kaitlan Collins @kaitlancollins: 
Bryan Boughton, who runs the Fox News Washington bureau and is the current TV pool chair, says in an email; ”This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President.”

“This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. There will be no replacement pool put in place.” Via  @brianstelter
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
1/ @rgoodlaw.bsky.social & I are honored to announce that veteran, multi-award winning reporter @carolrosenbergfeed.bsky.social will be publishing Dispatches from Guantanamo with us at @justsecurity.org –regular updates as the capital trials in the military commissions get underway. #GTMODispatches
justsecurity.org
Guantánamo Dispatch: The USS Cole Case Edges Toward Trial
Carol Rosenberg reports from Guantánamo Bay on the upcoming pre-trial hearing in the USS Cole bombing case.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
2/ Here's the proposal by Tess and me: The Bipartisan Iran War Commission We Need www.justsecurity.org/155561/bipar... *With suggested organizational features, and unanswered questions/issues for a commission to address.
justsecurity.org
The Bipartisan Iran War Commission We Need
Congress should create a bipartisan Iran War Commission to investigate errors in going to war and how it was waged.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I appreciate this thoughtful engagement by The American Conservative's managing editor Jude Russo. Overlapping agreement on the benefits of a bipartisan Iran War Commission that @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and I proposed. www.theamericanconservative.com/could-an-ira...
theamericanconservative.com
Could an Iran War Commission Revive Constitutional Government?
A new proposal shows a politically viable step toward restoring congressional war powers.
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Inequality Media @inequalitymedia.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Trump's massive surveillance state and attacks on our civil liberties wouldn't have been possible without the PATRIOT Act. Watch this prescient warning from Russ Feingold, the only Senator to vote against its passage after 9/11.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
1/ The 22 essays collected here @justsecurity.org are a powerful reminder of the gravity of what was lost on 9/11, the opportunities that followed, and the many ways those opportunities were squandered at home and abroad. www.justsecurity.org/156339/9-11-...
justsecurity.org
9/11 Then and Now: How It Shapes Us 25 Years On
How the September 11 attacks, and the U.S. response that followed, changed the world and the way we approach the moment we are in today.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Co-editor-in-chief @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and I sat down with two of the finest experts - Ambassador Dan Fried @ambdanfried.bsky.social and Nick Rasmussen - to discuss 25th Anniversary of 9/11 and many lessons for today. Dan was in the situation room on 9/11. Nick about to start his USG job.
justsecurity.org
The Just Security Podcast: 9/11 at 25 Years: The State of U.S. National Security, Intelligence, and Alliances Today
Ryan Goodman and Tess Bridgeman are joined by Daniel Fried and Nicholas Rasmussen to discuss how 9/11 continues to shape U.S. counterterrorism and foreign policy.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Thrilled to be discussing @skyeperryman.bsky.social's new book "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: How to Reclaim Your Power, Fight for Freedom, and Reimagine Democracy" with her at @cwclub.bsky.social in San Francisco tonight. Join us!
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
2/ I'd highlight this piece by Hanifa Girowal, Vice President of Women’s Rights First (WRF), an Afghan women-led organization ⤵️ All essays make for a rich tapestry of narratives and lessons learned. Link to landing page: www.justsecurity.org/156339/9-11-...
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Just launched @justsecurity.org: 9/11 Then and Now: How it Shapes Us 25 Years On A series of compelling essays by wide range of individuals. Personal narratives that weave in an understanding of institutions and history. Let me highlight one now ... www.justsecurity.org/156339/9-11-... 1/
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A powerful message by three distinguished former Coast Guard officers with several decades of experience. On the one year anniversary of U.S. boat strikes. America’s War on Drug Smugglers at Sea Is Unlawful—and It Is Failing Must Read www.justsecurity.org/155570/ameri...
justsecurity.org
America's War on Drug Smugglers at Sea Is Unlawful—and It Is Failing
U.S. strikes against alleged drug-trafficking vessels mark an unlawful expansion of military force into a law enforcement mission.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
1/Today marks 1 yr of the President's extrajudicial killing campaign at sea, carried out by the military—220+ people dead @justsecurity.org has tracked the legal, policy, & moral fallout from day 1 In calmer times, it would be the story of our era A few must-reads below, plus the full Collection:
justsecurity.org
Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug Traffickers, Operation Southern Spear, Operation Absolute Resolve
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.
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Foreign Policy for America @fp4america.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
In today’s #MustRead, @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social make the case for a bipartisan commission to reckon with how the Iran war began, what went wrong, and how to keep it from happening again. ⬇️ www.justsecurity.org/155561/bipar...
justsecurity.org
The Bipartisan Iran War Commission We Need
Congress should create a bipartisan Iran War Commission to investigate errors in going to war and how it was waged.
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Rebecca Ingber @becingber.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
As the grim anniversary approaches, we convened to discuss the past year’s expanding campaign to use force against those suspected of trafficking drugs. With @tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @bcfinucane.bsky.social, and Rachel Goldbrenner of @rcls-nyu.bsky.social
justsecurity.org
The Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas Part VI
Tess Bridgeman and Rachel Goldbrenner are joined by Brian Finucane and Rebecca Ingber to discuss the latest U.S. strikes against suspected drug traffickers.
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Just Security @justsecurity.org · 31/08/2026
The Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas Part VI With co-hosts @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and Rachel Goldbrenner, and guests @becingber.bsky.social and @bcfinucane.bsky.social Co-hosted by Just Security and @rcls-nyu.bsky.social
justsecurity.org
The Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas Part VI
Tess Bridgeman and Rachel Goldbrenner are joined by Brian Finucane and Rebecca Ingber to discuss the latest U.S. strikes against suspected drug traffickers.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
With the US and #Iran trading attacks again today, as the US war on Iran passes its 6-month mark, it's time to start preparing for a bipartisan Iran War Commission. @rgoodlaw.bsky.social and I propose a congressionally chartered commission, outline its scope, and propose other key features:
justsecurity.org
The Bipartisan Iran War Commission We Need
Congress should create a bipartisan Iran War Commission to investigate errors in going to war and how it was waged.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I teamed up with @tessbridgeman.bsky.social for this. We propose the creation of a bipartisan Iran War Commission. With specifics on scope, powers, and topics of high public importance. We draw from past commissions created after major government debacles.
justsecurity.org
The Bipartisan Iran War Commission We Need
Congress should create a bipartisan Iran War Commission to investigate errors in going to war and how it was waged.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
3/ And here's another study on how grand jurors and district courts are increasingly rejecting the Justice Department's attempted indictments in weaponized cases: www.justsecurity.org/146665/court...
justsecurity.org
Judges and Grand Juries Reject Trump's Efforts to Investigate
A detailed record of federal courts and grand juries rejecting the Trump administration’s use of subpoenas, search warrants, and indictments.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
2/ Here is the regularly updated Presumption of Regularity study published at @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/120547/presu...
justsecurity.org
The “Presumption of Regularity” in Trump Administration Litigation (4th edition)
Definitive, most comprehensive study of court cases involving Trump administration and the basis for courts no longer giving a "presumption of regularity."
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
I appreciate John Oliver @lastweektonight.com referencing our research on the 'Presumption of Regularity.'⬇️ We document all of the federal judges findings of Justice Dept dishonesty. John Oliver quite brilliantly connects this to what grand jurors are doing and can do in their civic duty. 1/🧵
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Thrilled to be launching @justsecurity.org's new #ReinventionBlueprints! Authors in this series tackle a big question: how could U.S. government institutions be structured to serve the public and meet today’s challenges? Stay tuned and check back for bold, practical blueprints by leading experts:
justsecurity.org
Welcome to Just Security's Reinvention Blueprints
Just Security's Reinvention Blueprints series features expert proposals to rebuild U.S. government institutions so they serve the public and meet today's challenges.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
It’s never been about stopping drugs 👇
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Sadly, it's time to re-up this Q&A by @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, me & @rgoodlaw.bsky.social on targeting & the #Iran war. To be clear it is never lawful to: - target civilians or civilian infrastructure as such - target "dual use" infrastructure to "send a message," punish, or coerce the other side
justsecurity.org
Expert Q&A: A Targeting Primer on the Iran War
Leading legal experts Q&A analyzes how the law of armed conflict applies to United States, Israeli, Iranian strikes - focusing on targeting rules and civilian protections.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Get all your War Powers reports including the latest on #Iran, analyzed and with interactive graphics, in one place at our @rcls-nyu.bsky.social War Powers Resolution Reporting Project warpowers.lawandsecurity.org site 👇
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
War Powers Resolution Reporting Project
A living resource on presidential reporting practice and the use of U.S. armed forces abroad.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
We need more of this concrete thinking on what #accountability in America means, how to explain it (no, it is not retribution or politics to uphold the rule of law; failure to do so means those in power have a blank check for even the most grave crimes), and how to achieve it. Watch this space...
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Important from @danmaurerlawprof.bsky.social on what accountability for illegal strikes on suspected drug traffickers could look like in practice: And a crucial reminder: "...accountability remains an imperative if one subscribes to the rule of law. There is no presidential or wartime exception."
justsecurity.org
How to Choose Which Military Members to Hold Accountable for Illegal Boat Strikes
A retired judge advocate outlines the difficulties of deciding who to prosecute for the illegal strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats.
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Bec Hamilton @bechamilton.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
It is perfectly coherent to champion #metoo AND champion the existence of an ICC. Khan's ongoing tenure harms the ICC's standing. The ASP should vote to remove him & everyone who cares about #neveragain should double down on supporting the Court & its ongoing investigations.
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Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
@tessbridgeman.bsky.social and I wrote about the "salami-slicing" tactic back in May. www.justsecurity.org/137977/iran-...
justsecurity.org
Ongoing Iran War Reveals Necessary War Powers Reforms
It is Congress’s responsibility to assert its constitutional prerogatives with respect to the use of force and to rein in a lawless executive.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
1/The #Trump admin will claim this report to Congress starts a new 60-day clock for terminating hostilities w/ #Iran under the War Powers Resolution. But let's be clear: This new round of attacks is part of the same hostilities that began in late Feb. We're over 130 days already... & counting.
justsecurity.org
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
For a war that was triply illegal even before the House & Senate passed a historic measure under the War Powers Resolution directing #Trump to end hostilities with #Iran, this is yet another new level of lawlessness. It's also a tactic in search of a strategy. www.justsecurity.org/137669/60-da...
US CENTCOM announcement of new strikes on Iran, July 7, 2026At the 60-Day Mark, the Iran War is Triply Illegal, by Tess Bridgeman and Oona Hathaway. Published in Just Security on May 1, 2026
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Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
But I was informed that hostilities had terminated… In the wake of the recent congressional vote opposing further hostilities against Iran, this U.S. military action is even more illegal.
U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire
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Reiss Center on Law and Security @rcls-nyu.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
How does #Trump's 14-point MOU with #Iran compare to the Obama era interim nuclear deal? In the latest episode of #MainJustice, @rcls-nyu.bsky.social's @tessbridgeman.bsky.social unpacks U.S. concessions, big remaining questions, Congress' role, and more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcxR...
youtube.com
The IMPERIAL Presidency is in Court, the IRAN Deal is in Motion
YouTube video by MS NOW
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Jameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Compare Alito's description of Trump's racist statements (on the left) to Justice Kagan's anthology of Trump's racist statements (on the right). These are passages from this morning's opinions in Mullin v. Doe.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
We identified 17 of the 27 'grievances' in the Declaration of Independence with a contemporary analog. We then annotated those 17 grievances with quotes from federal judges across 52 court cases involving the Trump administration. The judges in their words (many referencing the Declaration itself)
justsecurity.org
Today’s Judiciary on the Anniversary of Declaration of Independence
Many actions taken by the current administration echo the grievances laid out in the Declaration of Independence against King George III.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Joined the great @weissmann.substack.com & Mary McCord on latest episode of #MainJustice - How does #Trump's 14-point MOU with #Iran compare to Obama's interim nuclear deal? - What to make of massive US sanctions concessions? - What should we expect going forward? - What's Congress' role? & more 👇
youtube.com
The IMPERIAL Presidency is in Court, the IRAN Deal is in Motion
YouTube video by MS NOW
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Just Security @justsecurity.org · 22/06/2026
NEW searchable database: Immigration Habeas Tracker: Government Obstruction, Judicial Trust, and Accountability Over 800 cases where courts find government violating orders, giving false information, evading habeas review. Plus: tracks court contempt hearings, sanctions on officials, and more.
justsecurity.org
Immigration Habeas Tracker: Government Obstruction, Judicial Trust, and Accountability
Tracking immigration habeas litigation in the second Trump administration and how courts responded to protect judicial authority and individual rights.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
1/ The MoU with #Iran isn't a good deal for the US, but this wasn't a good war. It is vital to seriously pursue diplomacy. The statute enacted to let Congress attempt to kill the JCPOA before it could be implemented (INARA) shouldn't now be a barrier to peace. Time for Congress to repeal INARA👇
justsecurity.org
Time to Repeal INARA and Move Forward with the Iran MoU
The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act should be repealed, as the alternatives are extending a disastrous war of choice or ignoring the law.
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Just Security @justsecurity.org · 18/06/2026
“Today, nuclear issues and ceasefires are rolled together in a way INARA never contemplated, making the statute damaging not just to diplomatic efforts to constrain Iran’s nuclear program, but also to peace and stability,” writes @tessbridgeman.bsky.social (Tess Bridgeman).
justsecurity.org
Time to Repeal INARA and Move Forward with the Iran MoU
The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act should be repealed, as the alternatives are extending a disastrous war of choice or ignoring the law.
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Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
The Trump admin's previous claim that hostilities with Iran terminated in April due to the ceasefire and new suggestion that the US attack on 9 June is somehow distinct are both complete malarky. In addition to the US Constitution & UN Charter, the admin continues to violate the WPR. (3/n)
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Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
...had terminated in a report to Congress on 1 May. By filing this new report last week, the Trump admin is pretending that the War Powers Resolution's 60-day clock started all over again. @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and I predicted this might happen. (2/n) www.justsecurity.org/137977/iran-...
justsecurity.org
Ongoing Iran War Reveals Necessary War Powers Reforms
It is Congress’s responsibility to assert its constitutional prerogatives with respect to the use of force and to rein in a lawless executive.
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Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
NEW: The White House submitted a fresh War Powers report at the end of last week with respect to the US attacks on Iran on 9 June following the downing of a US Apache helicopter. This is a "salami slicing" report. Recall that the administration previously claimed hostilities with Iran... (1/n)
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Driving holes in White House-DOJ claims on Alien Enemies Act 1. Castro: how conspicuous that no mention of being at war with Venezuela in Annual Threat Assessment 2. CIA Director: admits no assessment of war or invasion 3. DNI: assessments are "varied" and conflicting
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@LemonSlayer @lemonslayer.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Notable detail here!!!👇 lite.cnn.com/2026/06/03/p...
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Jen Bendery @jbendery.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
215-208 It passed! Cheer erupt in the House chamber.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
"GOP-Led House Votes to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers" The WSJ is right that this is only one step but still a major rebuke. Reminder that if it has the will, Congress has power to: - Refuse to fund more war - Start real oversight A veto can't overcome either of those.
wsj.com
GOP-Led House Votes to Limit Trump’s Iran War Powers
The effort to constrain the White House comes as war has morphed from a heavy bombing campaign to a fragile ceasefire.
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Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Listen to the latest episode of our podcast for more on why this killing campaign crosses into crimes against humanity territory To be clear: These operations have been unconscionable, illegal, & irrelevant to stopping fentanyl since the first strike last Sept. www.justsecurity.org/138206/just-...
justsecurity.org
The Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas Part V
Tess Bridgeman and Rachel Goldbrenner are joined by Rebecca Ingber and Brian Finucane to examine escalating U.S. strikes on suspected drug traffickers.
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