Tess Bridgeman
@tessbridgeman.bsky.social
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
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
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.
justsecurity.org
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 👇
War Powers Resolution Reporting Project
A living resource on presidential reporting practice and the use of U.S. armed forces abroad.
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
Reiss Center on Law and Security@rcls-nyu.bsky.social · 2w agoAmidst news of escalating conflict in #Iran, the Trump Admin has submitted three separate war powers reports to Congress since last month. View those primary documents, analysis, and other data & informative features at our War Powers Resolution Reporting Project👇 warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
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...
Tess Bridgeman@tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 3w agoImportant 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."
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."
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.
justsecurity.org
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.
@tessbridgeman.bsky.social and I wrote about the "salami-slicing" tactic back in May. www.justsecurity.org/137977/iran-...
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.
justsecurity.org
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
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...
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.
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...
The IMPERIAL Presidency is in Court, the IRAN Deal is in Motion
YouTube video by MS NOW
youtube.com
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.
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)
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.
justsecurity.org
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 👇
The IMPERIAL Presidency is in Court, the IRAN Deal is in Motion
YouTube video by MS NOW
youtube.com
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.
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.
justsecurity.org
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👇
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.
justsecurity.org
“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).
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.
justsecurity.org
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)
...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-...
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.
justsecurity.org
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)
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
"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.
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.
wsj.com
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-...
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.
justsecurity.org
Ryan Goodman@rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 2mo agoWith Friday strike, over 200 people killed by US military in alleged drug boat strikes. Overwhelming consensus of experts, myself included, assess these to be murder because no armed conflict (and war crime if it were armed conflict). 200 killed also raises serious question: crime against humanity
With Friday strike, over 200 people killed by US military in alleged drug boat strikes. Overwhelming consensus of experts, myself included, assess these to be murder because no armed conflict (and war crime if it were armed conflict). 200 killed also raises serious question: crime against humanity
Timeline of Boat Strikes and Related Actions
A timeline that chronicles major events in the Trump administration’s campaign of lethal strikes against suspected drug traffickers.
justsecurity.org
A message from @bechamilton.bsky.social on her latest update to "The Trump Administration’s Use of State Power Against Media: Keeping Track of the Big Picture." Read the update: www.justsecurity.org/112792/trump... youtube.com/shorts/bXRJ8...
Is Press Freedom Under Attack? The Big Picture Explained
YouTube video by Just Security
youtube.com
Can’t believe that Andy Kim is in two of the most haunting pictures of the last few years.
Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin@ecmclaughlin.bsky.social · 2mo agoThis photo of Andy Kim in the moments before ICE gassed everyone at Delaney Hall is going into the history books. We need more of this from our electeds.
I am looking forward to Monday night at the New York Historical Society. I'll be moderating the discussion with Tess Bridgeman (@tessbridgeman.bsky.social) and Mary McCord. Our topic: Power Without Impunity: War Crimes and Illegal Orders Tickets: www.nyhistory.org/programs/pow...
Power Without Impunity: War Crimes and Illegal Orders | The New York Historical
When unlawful orders are given, whether in times of war or in moments of domestic unrest, who bears responsibility, and where does accountability truly lie?
nyhistory.org
The ongoing campaign of killings at sea would be front page news every day if it weren’t for… all the other things. It still should be. And is ramping up. @becingber.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @rachelgoldbrenner.bsky.social and I get you up to speed with our latest podcast installment 👇
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 3mo agoThe Just Security Podcast: Murder on the High Seas Part V With Co-Hosts @tessbridgeman.bsky.social and Rachel Goldbrenner (@rcls-nyu.bsky.social), and guests @becingber.bsky.social and @bfinucane.bsky.social www.justsecurity.org/138206/just-...