News
Executive Functions Roundup
15+ min ago (348+ words) The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied the government's application for a stay in Blanche v. Perlmutter. The decision allows Shira Perlmutter, the register of copyrights, to keep her position for now. (Order list.) (CBS.) For background on the case, see a…...
The Powerful, Resilient, Independent Supreme Court
34+ min ago (248+ words) About a year ago the Trump administration appeared to have defied legal restraints on the presidency to the point of a "constitutional crisis." And in the eyes of many, the Supreme Court was primarily responsible. That left the third branch…...
The Federal Election Commission After Slaughter
23+ hour, 36+ min ago (894+ words) Executive Functions | Jack Goldsmith The Federal Election Commission After Slaughter Bipartisan, independent civil enforcement was already collapsing, but formal presidential control will end it'and a weaponized DOJ may fill the vacuum. On Monday, concluding that the president possessed broad removal…...
The Iran Deal in the Context of the President's Astonishing Foreign Affairs Powers
2+ week, 1+ day ago (1114+ words) Donald Trump started his war with Iran on Feb. 28. He didn't notify Congress or ask its permission and didn't consult with it much thereafter. (Nor has Congress appropriated funds specifically for the Iran conflict.) Trump conducted the war as he…...
Attorney General Todd Blanche?
2+ week, 6+ day ago (1815+ words) The High Stakes of the Blanche Nomination" by Bob Bauer (Executive Functions, June 9, 2026) This is an edited transcript of an episode of Executive Functions Chat." You can listen to the full conversation by following or subscribing to the show on…...
The High Stakes of the Blanche Nomination
3+ week, 1+ day ago (152+ words) This is the wrong approach for the Senate to take. Blanche's tenure as deputy and now acting AG has shown how the rules and the process for enforcing the recusal rules were neutered. The Trump administration has effectively disabled the…...
Congress Should Vigorously Oppose Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence
4+ week, 1+ day ago (1027+ words) Executive Functions | Jack Goldsmith Congress Should Vigorously Oppose Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence The case for a bipartisan stand against President Trump's abuse of Vacancy Act authority In the immediate aftermath of Trump's Truth Social announcement that…...
What Exactly is Bill Pulte's New Job as Acting Director of National Intelligence?
4+ week, 1+ day ago (1838+ words) This is an edited transcript of an episode of "Executive Functions Chat." You can listen to the full conversation by following or subscribing to the show on Substack, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Bob Bauer: Good afternoon,…...
Donald Trump's Multi-Billion Dollar Business Pursuits and the Looming Self-Pardon
1+ mon, 4+ hour ago (952+ words) Executive Functions | Jack Goldsmith Donald Trump's Multi-Billion Dollar Business Pursuits and the Looming Self-Pardon Democratic accountability strategies could affect how the Court resolves the constitutionality of a self-pardon But the story of the Court's engagement with presidential immunity in the…...
The Fate, to Date, of Trump v. United States
1+ mon, 4+ day ago (599+ words) The Supreme Court decided Trump v. United States almost two years ago. In an article published last year, I argued that the decision would be less important for its immunity holding than for its rulings "on the President's exclusive removal power…...