Rebecca Ingber
@becingber.bsky.social
Law prof at Cardozo Law. Former U.S. State Dept a few times over. Writes on international law, war powers and national security, presidential power and bureaucracy.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=1587178
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=1587178
Pinned
Rebecca Ingber
@becingber.bsky.social
· May 20
Judicial Deference and Presidential Power Under the Alien Enemies Act
Legal scholar discusses where judges have and should draw the line on judicial deference to the President in Alien Enemies Act litigation.
www.justsecurity.org
“The war powers that Congress and the courts have over time granted the President are extraordinary. When the courts cede to the President absolute discretion to turn them on, this makes them virtually limitless.”
This makes 75 deaths in 19 strikes.
The president is using our armed forces to kill people suspected of drug crimes on his say so. They call it “armed conflict” because they don’t want to acknowledge it’s murder. But it’s “not hostilities” because they don’t want to ask Congress for approval.
The president is using our armed forces to kill people suspected of drug crimes on his say so. They call it “armed conflict” because they don’t want to acknowledge it’s murder. But it’s “not hostilities” because they don’t want to ask Congress for approval.
November 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM
This makes 75 deaths in 19 strikes.
The president is using our armed forces to kill people suspected of drug crimes on his say so. They call it “armed conflict” because they don’t want to acknowledge it’s murder. But it’s “not hostilities” because they don’t want to ask Congress for approval.
The president is using our armed forces to kill people suspected of drug crimes on his say so. They call it “armed conflict” because they don’t want to acknowledge it’s murder. But it’s “not hostilities” because they don’t want to ask Congress for approval.
Did Women Ruin the Workplace
November 7, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Did Women Ruin the Workplace
WHY DO SCHOOL PHOTO COMPANIES CONTINUE TO INSIST WE PURCHASE WALLET SIZED PHOTOS
November 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
WHY DO SCHOOL PHOTO COMPANIES CONTINUE TO INSIST WE PURCHASE WALLET SIZED PHOTOS
“Sure the constitution says X. But the president has sometimes done Y. Ergo Congress cannot regulate Y.”
—decisive legal analysis by the WSJ ed board
—decisive legal analysis by the WSJ ed board
Opinion | The War Powers Irresolution
A Senate measure would let Congress block military action in Venezuela. It’s unconstitutional.
www.wsj.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
“Sure the constitution says X. But the president has sometimes done Y. Ergo Congress cannot regulate Y.”
—decisive legal analysis by the WSJ ed board
—decisive legal analysis by the WSJ ed board
“Parents, teachers and caregivers have been grappling ever since with how to explain to children what they’d seen: how much to tell them so they know enough to stay safe, but not too much to rob them of their childhood. ‘A toddler shouldn’t know what a tear gas canister is.’”
Chicago's children are getting caught in the chaos of immigration crackdowns
In Chicago, children and families have been traumatized by an immigration enforcement action involving tear gas.
apnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
“Parents, teachers and caregivers have been grappling ever since with how to explain to children what they’d seen: how much to tell them so they know enough to stay safe, but not too much to rob them of their childhood. ‘A toddler shouldn’t know what a tear gas canister is.’”
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
I know other profs say this all the time but it's so true: Hearing from terrific former students that they are enjoying their jobs & are doing well (all things considered) is an absolute highlight of the job - and a high point of any week that it happens.
November 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
I know other profs say this all the time but it's so true: Hearing from terrific former students that they are enjoying their jobs & are doing well (all things considered) is an absolute highlight of the job - and a high point of any week that it happens.
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
"The people in those boats may or may not have been criminals. The people ordering the strikes are." www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-targ...
Trump’s Targeting of ‘Narcoterrorists’ Is a Crime in Itself
Shoot first, ask questions when?
www.thebulwark.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"The people in those boats may or may not have been criminals. The people ordering the strikes are." www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-targ...
The War Powers Resolution 60-day clock doesn’t authorize force.
But it is another law that the president’s boat strikes will violate as of Monday.
Former State Dept colleague Jessica Thibodeau and I teamed up for this one:
But it is another law that the president’s boat strikes will violate as of Monday.
Former State Dept colleague Jessica Thibodeau and I teamed up for this one:
No way around this: On Monday, November 3, the Trump administration's lethal military operations against suspected drug cartels will be prohibited by Congress.
Recommended reading:
This new Expert Backgrounder which discusses the history and scope of the War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock.
Recommended reading:
This new Expert Backgrounder which discusses the history and scope of the War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock.
Expert Backgrounder on War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock for Boat Strikes Expiring Monday
Expert backgrounder on how War Powers Resolution works in application to U.S. military operations against suspected drug cartels.
www.justsecurity.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The War Powers Resolution 60-day clock doesn’t authorize force.
But it is another law that the president’s boat strikes will violate as of Monday.
Former State Dept colleague Jessica Thibodeau and I teamed up for this one:
But it is another law that the president’s boat strikes will violate as of Monday.
Former State Dept colleague Jessica Thibodeau and I teamed up for this one:
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
The latest addition to @justsecurity.org's collection:
Timely new explainer by our senior fellow @becingber.bsky.social and Jessica Thibodeau on the background and significance of the 60-day clock that will expire on Monday 11/3:
www.justsecurity.org/123717/war-p...
Timely new explainer by our senior fellow @becingber.bsky.social and Jessica Thibodeau on the background and significance of the 60-day clock that will expire on Monday 11/3:
www.justsecurity.org/123717/war-p...
Expert Backgrounder on War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock for Boat Strikes Expiring Monday
Expert backgrounder on how War Powers Resolution works in application to U.S. military operations against suspected drug cartels.
www.justsecurity.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The latest addition to @justsecurity.org's collection:
Timely new explainer by our senior fellow @becingber.bsky.social and Jessica Thibodeau on the background and significance of the 60-day clock that will expire on Monday 11/3:
www.justsecurity.org/123717/war-p...
Timely new explainer by our senior fellow @becingber.bsky.social and Jessica Thibodeau on the background and significance of the 60-day clock that will expire on Monday 11/3:
www.justsecurity.org/123717/war-p...
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
No way around this: On Monday, November 3, the Trump administration's lethal military operations against suspected drug cartels will be prohibited by Congress.
Recommended reading:
This new Expert Backgrounder which discusses the history and scope of the War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock.
Recommended reading:
This new Expert Backgrounder which discusses the history and scope of the War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock.
Expert Backgrounder on War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock for Boat Strikes Expiring Monday
Expert backgrounder on how War Powers Resolution works in application to U.S. military operations against suspected drug cartels.
www.justsecurity.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:39 PM
No way around this: On Monday, November 3, the Trump administration's lethal military operations against suspected drug cartels will be prohibited by Congress.
Recommended reading:
This new Expert Backgrounder which discusses the history and scope of the War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock.
Recommended reading:
This new Expert Backgrounder which discusses the history and scope of the War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock.
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
➡️ Second, a series of probing discussions w/ @rcls-nyu.bsky.social experts on the legality & consequences of #Trump Admin's lethal campaign:
☑️ www.lawandsecurity.org/calendar/mur...
☑️ www.justsecurity.org/122950/podca...
CC @tessbridgeman.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @becingber.bsky.social
☑️ www.lawandsecurity.org/calendar/mur...
☑️ www.justsecurity.org/122950/podca...
CC @tessbridgeman.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @becingber.bsky.social
Murder on the High Seas Part II: What We Know about U.S. Vessel Strikes One Month In - Reiss Center on Law and Security
A special episode of The Just Security Podcast, co-hosted by the Reiss Center on Law and Security Since early September, President Trump has ordered the U.S. military to conduct multiple lethal stri...
www.lawandsecurity.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
➡️ Second, a series of probing discussions w/ @rcls-nyu.bsky.social experts on the legality & consequences of #Trump Admin's lethal campaign:
☑️ www.lawandsecurity.org/calendar/mur...
☑️ www.justsecurity.org/122950/podca...
CC @tessbridgeman.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @becingber.bsky.social
☑️ www.lawandsecurity.org/calendar/mur...
☑️ www.justsecurity.org/122950/podca...
CC @tessbridgeman.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @becingber.bsky.social
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
⏰The War Powers clock is ticking⏰
Nov 3 🟰 60 days since reported 1st Caribbean boat strike
Under War Powers Resolution, w/in 60 days if Congress does not OK strikes, POTUS “shall terminate any use of US Armed Forces”
Our catalog on every War Powers Reports since 1973:
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
Nov 3 🟰 60 days since reported 1st Caribbean boat strike
Under War Powers Resolution, w/in 60 days if Congress does not OK strikes, POTUS “shall terminate any use of US Armed Forces”
Our catalog on every War Powers Reports since 1973:
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
⏰The War Powers clock is ticking⏰
Nov 3 🟰 60 days since reported 1st Caribbean boat strike
Under War Powers Resolution, w/in 60 days if Congress does not OK strikes, POTUS “shall terminate any use of US Armed Forces”
Our catalog on every War Powers Reports since 1973:
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
Nov 3 🟰 60 days since reported 1st Caribbean boat strike
Under War Powers Resolution, w/in 60 days if Congress does not OK strikes, POTUS “shall terminate any use of US Armed Forces”
Our catalog on every War Powers Reports since 1973:
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
The @bookshop.org app is really good, and it is easy to buy content from their website. Strong recommend!
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
October 31, 2025 at 1:48 AM
The @bookshop.org app is really good, and it is easy to buy content from their website. Strong recommend!
“If they were drug dealers, why wouldn’t we prosecute them, present the evidence, show the ‘arms’ that they were going to invade america with …”
Rand Paul: "In the one instance you're killed on sight. On the other instance, if you're captured, we just say, 'Oh well, we're gonna send you back to your country.' It doesn't make any sense."
October 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“If they were drug dealers, why wouldn’t we prosecute them, present the evidence, show the ‘arms’ that they were going to invade america with …”
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
While legal experts say military operators are not likely to be prosecuted for involvement in the cartel strikes, junior officers are nervous, sources say. Some have asked military lawyers for written sign-off before taking part; such sign-off hasn't happened, said one source.
shorturl.at/0u6Ge
shorturl.at/0u6Ge
Top Democrats demand details of spy agencies’ role in boat strikes
Democrats are demanding that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard share intelligence on lethal operations against alleged narcotics traffickers.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:22 PM
While legal experts say military operators are not likely to be prosecuted for involvement in the cartel strikes, junior officers are nervous, sources say. Some have asked military lawyers for written sign-off before taking part; such sign-off hasn't happened, said one source.
shorturl.at/0u6Ge
shorturl.at/0u6Ge
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
I don’t need to explain why it’s wildly unacceptable for the military to be illegally privately financed by the president’s wealthy allies, right?
New: The Pentagon confirms to CNN it will funnel $130M from an anonymous Trump “friend” toward military pay.
Asked about the donor’s identity and any foreign or domestic entanglements, the WH referred questions to DoD. DoD then referred questions back to the WH
www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/p...
Asked about the donor’s identity and any foreign or domestic entanglements, the WH referred questions to DoD. DoD then referred questions back to the WH
www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/p...
Pentagon to use $130 million donation from anonymous Trump ‘friend’ to pay military members | CNN Politics
The Trump administration plans to funnel a $130 million donation from an anonymous ally of President Donald Trump toward paying military service members during the government shutdown, the Defense Dep...
www.cnn.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I don’t need to explain why it’s wildly unacceptable for the military to be illegally privately financed by the president’s wealthy allies, right?
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
U.S. Military Kills Six People in Latest Boat Strike in the Caribbean
The Trump administration has acknowledged 10 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats from South America, which have killed 43 people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
The Trump administration has acknowledged 10 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats from South America, which have killed 43 people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
U.S. Military Kills Six People in Latest Boat Strike in the Caribbean
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
U.S. Military Kills Six People in Latest Boat Strike in the Caribbean
The Trump administration has acknowledged 10 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats from South America, which have killed 43 people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
The Trump administration has acknowledged 10 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats from South America, which have killed 43 people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
Trump has “talked with relish” about these boat strikes and “even acknowledged that he had authorized the C.I.A. to take covert actions in Venezuela.”
“But admin officials have clammed up when asked” how is this legal, what armed attack—
Great analysis by @charliesavage.bsky.social
“But admin officials have clammed up when asked” how is this legal, what armed attack—
Great analysis by @charliesavage.bsky.social
The Peril of a White House That Flaunts Its Indifference to the Law
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Trump has “talked with relish” about these boat strikes and “even acknowledged that he had authorized the C.I.A. to take covert actions in Venezuela.”
“But admin officials have clammed up when asked” how is this legal, what armed attack—
Great analysis by @charliesavage.bsky.social
“But admin officials have clammed up when asked” how is this legal, what armed attack—
Great analysis by @charliesavage.bsky.social
“The first body washed ashore on Trinidad’s northeastern coast soon after the United States carried out its first strike in September on a boat in the Caribbean. Villagers said the corpse had burn marks on its face and was missing limbs, as if it had been mangled by an explosion.”
A Mystery in Trinidad as Bodies Wash Ashore After U.S. Strikes
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:12 AM
“The first body washed ashore on Trinidad’s northeastern coast soon after the United States carried out its first strike in September on a boat in the Caribbean. Villagers said the corpse had burn marks on its face and was missing limbs, as if it had been mangled by an explosion.”
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Two reasons:
(1) the United States doesn't have any legal basis to use force against, well, anyone in the region (cartels, Vz, etc.) because there's no valid self-defense claim - AUMFs don't change that
(2) As @becingber.bsky.social says, killing civilians is never legal, in war or otherwise
(1) the United States doesn't have any legal basis to use force against, well, anyone in the region (cartels, Vz, etc.) because there's no valid self-defense claim - AUMFs don't change that
(2) As @becingber.bsky.social says, killing civilians is never legal, in war or otherwise
October 23, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Two reasons:
(1) the United States doesn't have any legal basis to use force against, well, anyone in the region (cartels, Vz, etc.) because there's no valid self-defense claim - AUMFs don't change that
(2) As @becingber.bsky.social says, killing civilians is never legal, in war or otherwise
(1) the United States doesn't have any legal basis to use force against, well, anyone in the region (cartels, Vz, etc.) because there's no valid self-defense claim - AUMFs don't change that
(2) As @becingber.bsky.social says, killing civilians is never legal, in war or otherwise
He’s been doing it, he’s been saying he’s going to keep doing it. This isn’t new, but it’s still pretty stark to hear isn’t it.
Trump: "I don't think we're necessarily going to ask for a declaration of war, I think we're just gonna kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. We're going to kill them. They're going to be, like dead."
October 23, 2025 at 10:05 PM
He’s been doing it, he’s been saying he’s going to keep doing it. This isn’t new, but it’s still pretty stark to hear isn’t it.
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Interested in the ways that the Caribbean (and Pacific) drug strikes are unlawful?
@justsecurity.org has 15 Articles (!) from experts @becingber.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @martylederman.bsky.social @seharrison7.bsky.social @mikeschmitt.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/120753/colle...
@justsecurity.org has 15 Articles (!) from experts @becingber.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @martylederman.bsky.social @seharrison7.bsky.social @mikeschmitt.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/120753/colle...
Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug Traffickers
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.
www.justsecurity.org
October 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Interested in the ways that the Caribbean (and Pacific) drug strikes are unlawful?
@justsecurity.org has 15 Articles (!) from experts @becingber.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @martylederman.bsky.social @seharrison7.bsky.social @mikeschmitt.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/120753/colle...
@justsecurity.org has 15 Articles (!) from experts @becingber.bsky.social @bcfinucane.bsky.social @martylederman.bsky.social @seharrison7.bsky.social @mikeschmitt.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/120753/colle...
"For the first time in U.S. history, lethal military force has been authorized solely to target drug traffickers—a move that marks an extraordinary assertion of expanded presidential power."
@seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social on the collapse of legal oversight within the USG
@seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social on the collapse of legal oversight within the USG
Caribbean Strikes and Collapse of Legal Oversight in U.S. Military
Congress and the public must address the pressures imposed on servicemembers and defend the guardrails that protect democracy.
www.justsecurity.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
"For the first time in U.S. history, lethal military force has been authorized solely to target drug traffickers—a move that marks an extraordinary assertion of expanded presidential power."
@seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social on the collapse of legal oversight within the USG
@seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social on the collapse of legal oversight within the USG
Me: earnestly wondering who starts a huge construction project on a rental they’re moving out of in 3 years
Trump:
Trump:
Trump: "We can never let what happened in the 2020 election happen again. We just can't let that happen. I know Kash is working on it, everybody is working on it. And certainly Tulsi is working on it. We can't let that happen again to our country."
October 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Me: earnestly wondering who starts a huge construction project on a rental they’re moving out of in 3 years
Trump:
Trump: