Israel was ‘doubly justified’ in attacking Iran’s nuclear weapons program
In an opinion for the Jewish Chronicle, CERL Advisory Council member Geoffrey Corn argues Israel was “doubly justified” in launching airstrikes on Iran’s military and nuclear facilities last month. Since the two countries have been engaged in an ongoing war since at least October 7, he contends, Israel did not need to meet the requirements […]
Congress’ power ‘to declare war’ serves important role in ‘restraining’ the president
Mary Ellen O’Connell, member of CERL’s Advisory Council, is quoted in a New York Times article by W.J. Hennigan discussing whether President Trump has the legal authority to engage in military action against Iran without first seeking Congressional authorization. She notes the role of the Constitution’s Declare War Clause in preventing the executive branch from […]
Dismantling of DOJ Public Integrity Section puts rule of law at risk, Gerson warns
Stuart Gerson, member of CERL’s Executive Board, is quoted in reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Ned Parker, Peter Eisler and Andrew Goudsward of Reuters on the dismantling of a section at the Department of Justice put in place after the Watergate scandal to prevent the politicization of prosecutions involving public officials. Gerson warns of the […]
California’s lawsuit challenging President Trump’s federalization of the National Guard is ‘quite strong’
CERL’s Professor Claire Finkelstein participated in a virtual conversation hosted by the Center for a New American Strategy (CNAS) on the legal questions arising from President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, California, in response to ongoing protests against ICE raids. She argued, among other things, that Governor […]
‘Longstanding tradition of an independent military’ at stake in L.A. protest response
In a segment on Al Jazeera, CERL’s Professor Claire Finkelstein discusses the evolving situation in Los Angeles, California, including the legality of deploying the National Guard and U.S. Marines under 10 U.S.C. § 12406, the strength of Governor Gavin Newsom’s lawsuit against President Donald Trump, and the role of the courts in addressing the interplay […]
Some call on Ireland to stop the U.S. from transporting weapons through its airports when international law is at stake
In the last three years, close to 2,000 U.S. aircrafts carrying weapons or other military equipment landed in Ireland. Mary Ellen O’Connell, member of CERL’s Advisory Council, told RTÉ News Ireland has an opportunity to defend international law by prohibiting the United States from using Irish airports for the transport of weapons that are headed […]
Polygraph tests are being ‘weaponized’ against government officials, Zaid asserts
Mark Zaid, member of CERL’s Executive Board, is quoted in CNN analysis by Zachary B. Wolf discussing the frequency with which the Trump administration is using or threatening to use polygraph exams as a supposed way to safeguard sensitive information. Zaid states these tests are being ‘weaponized’ against federal employees who are not otherwise subject […]
Finkelstein participates in event designed to strengthen democracy through civic dialogue
CERL’s Professor Claire Finkelstein participated in an expert panel as part of America in One Room, a project aimed at strengthening democracy through civic dialogue. Other programming included a question-and-answer session with Rep. Joanna McClinton, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and small group breakout sessions with residents from around the Philadelphia area. Reporting […]
Deals struck between top law firms and President Trump cause concern among rule of law experts
Mark Zaid, member of CERL’s Executive Board, is quoted in reporting by Ashleigh Fields of The Hill discussing the departure of four partners from Paul Weiss after the firm struck a deal with President Trump to avoid the restrictions laid out in a March 2025 executive order. Mark S. Zaid, Esq., is a Washington, D.C. […]
Supreme Court blocks Trump from using Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans accused of having ties to terrorist organization
The Supreme Court blocked the Trump administration from deporting over 100 Venezuelan detainees with alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, citing concerns over inadequate notice to migrants about their removal and due process rights. In a post for Epstein Becker Green’s SCOTUS Today, CERL Executive Board […]
General Votel presented West Point Association of Graduates’ 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award
The West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG), an alumni group serving the military academy, presented General Joseph Votel, member of the CERL Executive Board, with the 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA). The DGA, awarded to six recipients from a pool of 29 nominees, honors graduates of West Point “for their outstanding service, leadership, and commitment […]
Legal options available to states for protecting autonomy of National Guard
Under agreements reached between the Trump administration and the National Guards of Texas and Florida, Guard personnel would be responsible for conducting law enforcement activities in support of efforts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest and detain undocumented immigrants. In commentary for a Center for a New […]
Dispensing with mandatory law of war training in U.S. Army is ‘dangerous’
Under new U.S. Army regulation, once-mandatory training focused on teaching soldiers about the legal frameworks governing war will be optional and at the discretion of commanders. In an opinion for Military Times, CERL Advisory Council member Geoffrey Corn warns of the dangers of cutting these trainings, noting that respect for and compliance with the law […]
Trump’s campaign to revoke student visas is ‘merely performative,’ doing little to combat antisemitism on college campuses
The Trump administration has stripped hundreds of foreign university students of their visas, many of whom were targeted for their participation in pro-Palestinian activities. In an opinion for The Hill, Frank Figliuzzi and CERL’s Professor Claire Finkelstein explain why President Trump’s actions not only run counter to his stated goal of combatting antisemitism but also […]
Comey investigation raises questions about First Amendment protections
Former FBI Director James Comey is being investigated by the Trump administration for posting a “threat” to the president on social media. Mark Zaid is quoted in a Washington Post article by Mark Berman, Patrick Marley, and Perry Stein discussing the incident and the apparent targeting of individuals who have criticized the Trump administration. Mark […]
President’s plan to accept Qatari luxury jet could pose challenge to national security
CERL Advisory Council member Geoffrey Corn spoke with KCBS Radio about President Trump’s plan to accept a Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar, priced at $400 million, as the new Air Force One, raising concerns about the safety of the jet, security risks, including espionage, and the lack of Congressional overview. Geoffrey S. Corn is the […]
Traditional legal processes bypassed to expand troop presence along the U.S.-Mexico border
In an episode of News 4 (WOAI) San Antonio’s Immigration Crisis: The Fight for the Southern Border, Lt. Colonel Geoffrey Corn, member of CERL’s Advisory Council, discusses how President Trump navigated legal hurdles and public opinion to deploy federal troops to the southern border. He explains Trump bypassed the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the […]
Ethics experts raise concern about a DOGE employee’s personal ties to Musk
CERL’s Professor Claire Finkelstein is quoted in an article by Jake Pearson for ProPublica discussing whether Christopher Young, an advisor to Elon Musk who also works for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is in violation of conflict-of-interest rules governing federal employees. If Young’s loyalty is to Musk on a personal level, he should not […]
Fallon reflects on three-decade career in counterintelligence
In an interview with award-winning author Pamela Hamilton, CERL Advisory Council member Mark Fallon discusses his three-decade career in government, including his undercover assignments as an NCIS Special Agent, science-backed strategies for eliciting accurate and reliable information during interrogations, and the challenges he confronted as Deputy Commander of the Criminal Investigation Task Force charged with […]
Soldiers are trained to fight wars, not participate in civilian law enforcement
Professor Geoffrey Corn, member of CERL’s Advisory Council, is quoted in reporting by Uriel J. García for The Texas Tribune on the military zone established by the Pentagon as part of El Paso’s Fort Bliss Army base that permits active-duty troops to arrest migrants at the border. He notes that federal law limits the use […]
Legal experts weigh in on Trump’s intensifying criticism of the courts
CERL’s Faculty Director Claire Finkelstein is quoted in an ABC News article discussing Trump’s latest criticism of federal judges amid increasing tension between his administration and the courts. Claire Finkelstein is the Algernon Biddle Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy and Faculty Director of the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law. Read […]
As norms and rules falter, the global legal community can play a critical role in “promoting authentic international law”
At a time when normative and rule of law guardrails are eroding, international lawyers can play a crucial role in “promoting authentic international law” as opposed to flexible interpretations of the law that give leaders greater leeway to use force, Professor Mary Ellen O’Connell, member of CERL’s Advisory Council, argues in an opinion for EJIL: […]
International initiatives to reconstruct cultural heritage must be responsive to local preferences
It has been a decade since the Islamic State released footage showing their destruction of cultural artifacts in the Mosul Museum. In analysis for the Australian Institute of International Affairs, Professors Benjamin Isakhan and Lynn Meskell, member of CERL’s Affiliated Faculty, detail results from a survey they conducted, together with the Arab Barometer, of over […]
UN Cybercrime Convention inadequately addresses distinct risks to women and girls
The United Nations General Assembly adopted last December a treaty, known as the Cybercrime Convention, to protect against crimes involving information and communication technologies. Professor Rangita de Silva de Alwis, member of CERL’s Affiliated Faculty, argues the Convention inadequately addresses the gendered components of cybercrime and the specific dangers posed to women and girls. Rangita […]
Pressure waves from standing near mortars severely harm the nervous system
According to data from a recent live-fire mortar exercise, mortars are causing “overpressure,” dangerous pressure waves and leading to decreased Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) functioning. The ANS manages bodily responses such as “fight or flight,” temperature, and gastrointestinal processes, which in turn impact a person’s blood pressure, heart rate, and more. In an article for […]
ABA educational video series focuses on civics for military members
Harvey Rishikof, member of CERL’s Executive Board, recruited participants and framed topics for “Strengthening Democracy: A Civics Education Series for Military Members,” a series of educational videos for members of the U.S. armed forces by the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education in collaboration with ABA’s Standing Committee on Law and National Security and […]
Federal judges respond to Trump’s executive orders
Trump’s sweeping executive actions in his first two weeks back in office were met with swift legal challenges to his directives. Mark Zaid, member of CERL’s Executive Board, is quoted in an article for The Hill about the myriad lawsuits against the President’s executive orders. Mark S. Zaid, Esq., is a Washington, D.C. based attorney […]
Trump’s firing of inspectors general is leading to ‘a new standard of loyalty, not legality’
In an op/ed for The New York Times, CERL Executive Board member Mark Zaid comments on the potential effects on government whistleblowers of Trump’s firing of nonpartisan inspectors general—many of whom he appointed during his first term—without giving Congress 30-days’ notice nor providing the requisite substantive rationale for their firing, in an effort to install […]
President signs anti-weaponization of government order while enabling actions against his own political targets
In a piece for Just Security’s “Coverage of the Trump Administration’s Executive Actions” series, CERL Executive Board member Stuart Gerson explains how the President is weaponizing federal law enforcement, the Department of Justice, and the judiciary for his own personal gains, and how his broad immunity will continue to shield him from prosecution. Stuart Gerson […]