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
NB: When I, a professor of law, profess that an act is unlawful, I am not doing it to inform the lawbreaker, but rather to inform you, the reader.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
This this this. And if you, the public, cease to care, why should the President?
What could go wrong?
December 19, 2025 at 1:16 PM
What could go wrong?
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Complete abdication of responsibility by Senator Wicker:
1) The most basic Qs about the campaign - on legality and strategy - are unanswered.
Start with what acts constitute an “armed attack” or justify the existence of an armed conflict?
Which 24 cartels & gangs are we supposedly at war with?
1) The most basic Qs about the campaign - on legality and strategy - are unanswered.
Start with what acts constitute an “armed attack” or justify the existence of an armed conflict?
Which 24 cartels & gangs are we supposedly at war with?
December 19, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Complete abdication of responsibility by Senator Wicker:
1) The most basic Qs about the campaign - on legality and strategy - are unanswered.
Start with what acts constitute an “armed attack” or justify the existence of an armed conflict?
Which 24 cartels & gangs are we supposedly at war with?
1) The most basic Qs about the campaign - on legality and strategy - are unanswered.
Start with what acts constitute an “armed attack” or justify the existence of an armed conflict?
Which 24 cartels & gangs are we supposedly at war with?
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Trump Relies on Distortions to Support His Pressure Campaign on Venezuela www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
Trump Relies on Distortions to Support His Pressure Campaign on Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Trump Relies on Distortions to Support His Pressure Campaign on Venezuela www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/u...
This this this. And if you, the public, cease to care, why should the President?
NB: When I, a professor of law, profess that an act is unlawful, I am not doing it to inform the lawbreaker, but rather to inform you, the reader.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
December 18, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This this this. And if you, the public, cease to care, why should the President?
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
NB: When I, a professor of law, profess that an act is unlawful, I am not doing it to inform the lawbreaker, but rather to inform you, the reader.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
December 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM
NB: When I, a professor of law, profess that an act is unlawful, I am not doing it to inform the lawbreaker, but rather to inform you, the reader.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
So the question “what, like you think he cares?” is inapposite. The question is whether *you* care. I think you should, which is why I bother.
It’s like we’re living in that alternate reality universe where Biff is in charge.
December 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
It’s like we’re living in that alternate reality universe where Biff is in charge.
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Want a top expert analysis on the law of naval warfare, the UN Charter, and blockades?
We've got you completely covered @justsecurity.org.
With many thanks to @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and Rob McLaughlin, from whom I've learned a lot.
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
We've got you completely covered @justsecurity.org.
With many thanks to @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and Rob McLaughlin, from whom I've learned a lot.
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
Expert analysis of the announced U.S. military blockade of Venezuela and international law.
www.justsecurity.org
December 18, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Want a top expert analysis on the law of naval warfare, the UN Charter, and blockades?
We've got you completely covered @justsecurity.org.
With many thanks to @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and Rob McLaughlin, from whom I've learned a lot.
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
We've got you completely covered @justsecurity.org.
With many thanks to @mikeschmitt.bsky.social and Rob McLaughlin, from whom I've learned a lot.
Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences
The boat strikes are illegal full stop, with or w/out hard evidence that they are smuggling drugs. We are not responding to an armed attack on the U.S., and we are not in an armed conflict with these undefined groups.
But a few more details that we can pick apart from what the Admin has told us:
But a few more details that we can pick apart from what the Admin has told us:
NEW revelations on EXORD (execute order) for boat strikes.
DoD allows killing members of 24 'designated terrorist organizations' AND affiliates:
“When you define DTO and affiliate so loosely and you’re attacking boats, [the guidelines are] basically meaningless,” former official said.
1/
DoD allows killing members of 24 'designated terrorist organizations' AND affiliates:
“When you define DTO and affiliate so loosely and you’re attacking boats, [the guidelines are] basically meaningless,” former official said.
1/
Stephen Miller’s hard-line Mexico strategy morphed into deadly boat strikes
President Donald Trump’s homeland security adviser, Stephen Miller, had a plan to target Mexican drug cartels. That strategy morphed into lethal boat strikes.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The boat strikes are illegal full stop, with or w/out hard evidence that they are smuggling drugs. We are not responding to an armed attack on the U.S., and we are not in an armed conflict with these undefined groups.
But a few more details that we can pick apart from what the Admin has told us:
But a few more details that we can pick apart from what the Admin has told us:
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Thank you @durbin.senate.gov for your letter to Sen. Grassley requesting a hearing on the boat strikes
"These strikes are extrajudicial killings and shocking violations of fundamental principles of due process and the right to life under U.S. and international law"
www.politico.com/f/?id=000001...
"These strikes are extrajudicial killings and shocking violations of fundamental principles of due process and the right to life under U.S. and international law"
www.politico.com/f/?id=000001...
December 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Thank you @durbin.senate.gov for your letter to Sen. Grassley requesting a hearing on the boat strikes
"These strikes are extrajudicial killings and shocking violations of fundamental principles of due process and the right to life under U.S. and international law"
www.politico.com/f/?id=000001...
"These strikes are extrajudicial killings and shocking violations of fundamental principles of due process and the right to life under U.S. and international law"
www.politico.com/f/?id=000001...
Letter to Grassley from 10 Senators requesting a Senate Judiciary hearing on the boat strikes, notes “serious concerns that these strikes may violate U.S. criminal laws,” and ethical obligs for “DOJ attorneys who gave Pres Trump and Sec Hegseth legal cover to summarily execute suspected criminals.”
December 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Letter to Grassley from 10 Senators requesting a Senate Judiciary hearing on the boat strikes, notes “serious concerns that these strikes may violate U.S. criminal laws,” and ethical obligs for “DOJ attorneys who gave Pres Trump and Sec Hegseth legal cover to summarily execute suspected criminals.”
“A blockade of the ports or coasts of a State is generally regarded as a measure involving force against that State for the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.”
DOD Law of War Manual 13.10.2.1
DOD Law of War Manual 13.10.2.1
December 17, 2025 at 12:56 AM
“A blockade of the ports or coasts of a State is generally regarded as a measure involving force against that State for the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations.”
DOD Law of War Manual 13.10.2.1
DOD Law of War Manual 13.10.2.1
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
All of our AJIL Explainer webinars are now available to watch on YouTube. Below we’ve linked each video and its corresponding CPUS story featured in our October special issue. 🧵1/11
December 15, 2025 at 7:39 PM
All of our AJIL Explainer webinars are now available to watch on YouTube. Below we’ve linked each video and its corresponding CPUS story featured in our October special issue. 🧵1/11
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Updated timeline with 3 more strikes, killing 8 more people 👇
Reminder: all of the strikes are extrajudicial killings that #Trump ordered and the military is carrying out.
They aren't war crimes (we're not at war), they are murder and crimes against humanity.
www.justsecurity.org/124002/timel...
Reminder: all of the strikes are extrajudicial killings that #Trump ordered and the military is carrying out.
They aren't war crimes (we're not at war), they are murder and crimes against humanity.
www.justsecurity.org/124002/timel...
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.
www.justsecurity.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Updated timeline with 3 more strikes, killing 8 more people 👇
Reminder: all of the strikes are extrajudicial killings that #Trump ordered and the military is carrying out.
They aren't war crimes (we're not at war), they are murder and crimes against humanity.
www.justsecurity.org/124002/timel...
Reminder: all of the strikes are extrajudicial killings that #Trump ordered and the military is carrying out.
They aren't war crimes (we're not at war), they are murder and crimes against humanity.
www.justsecurity.org/124002/timel...
From my former State Dept (L) colleague, Charlie Trumbull:
The Administration’s Drug Boat Strikes Are Crimes Against Humanity
Members of Congress are wrong to call the strikes war crimes in the absence of an armed conflict, but the strikes are serious crimes under international law.
www.lawfaremedia.org
December 16, 2025 at 4:37 PM
From my former State Dept (L) colleague, Charlie Trumbull:
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Now out in the December issue of the Harvard Law Review: "Federalism and the New National Security" with Ashley Deeks of @uvalaw.bsky.social. The abstract is below, and the full article is available at harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-13.... Thanks to HLR's editors for all of their hard work!
December 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Now out in the December issue of the Harvard Law Review: "Federalism and the New National Security" with Ashley Deeks of @uvalaw.bsky.social. The abstract is below, and the full article is available at harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-13.... Thanks to HLR's editors for all of their hard work!
“AI should be in your battle rhythm every single day” (?)
December 10, 2025 at 7:13 PM
“AI should be in your battle rhythm every single day” (?)
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
"there's a new serif in town"
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:06 AM
"there's a new serif in town"
Devastating piece by my colleague Gabor Rona.
Perhaps we could chalk this up to “mere” Trump Administration antipathy toward the UN were it not for their deportations to foreign gulags like CECOT, with knowledge of its record of abuse, in stark violation of the prohibition on transfers to torture.
Perhaps we could chalk this up to “mere” Trump Administration antipathy toward the UN were it not for their deportations to foreign gulags like CECOT, with knowledge of its record of abuse, in stark violation of the prohibition on transfers to torture.
Does the United States Still Oppose Torture?
The U.S. voted against the UNGA's torture resolution, breaking decades of consensus and raising questions about its human rights stance.
www.justsecurity.org
December 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Devastating piece by my colleague Gabor Rona.
Perhaps we could chalk this up to “mere” Trump Administration antipathy toward the UN were it not for their deportations to foreign gulags like CECOT, with knowledge of its record of abuse, in stark violation of the prohibition on transfers to torture.
Perhaps we could chalk this up to “mere” Trump Administration antipathy toward the UN were it not for their deportations to foreign gulags like CECOT, with knowledge of its record of abuse, in stark violation of the prohibition on transfers to torture.
And the reason DOD wants the survivors of the boat strikes sent anywhere but the U.S. —> they don’t want to have to defend their summary execution campaign in court.
NEW: Pentagon lawyers asked State Dept. if US could send survivors of Trump's boat strikes to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Then Pentagon pushed to have survivors sent anywhere but the US — to prevent any US court cases. Gift link to our @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Inside the Pentagon’s Scramble to Deal With Boat Strike Survivors
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:02 AM
And the reason DOD wants the survivors of the boat strikes sent anywhere but the U.S. —> they don’t want to have to defend their summary execution campaign in court.
Is it just me or is that ? a little ominous
December 10, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Is it just me or is that ? a little ominous
Bragging about destroying people’s honest livelihoods as a result of your killing spree
Trump: "The problem is nobody wants to go fishing anymore. They don't want to get in boats. They don't want anything to do with boats. I think we've destroyed the boat market. Other than that it's been very effective."
December 10, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Bragging about destroying people’s honest livelihoods as a result of your killing spree
This is 1000% what middle aged Troy Dyer would say in 2025
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 9, 2025 at 11:47 PM
This is 1000% what middle aged Troy Dyer would say in 2025
“U.S. authorities said upon his sentencing to 45 years in prison that he had played a central role in ‘one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the world.’
Mr. Trump formally pardoned the former president on Dec. 1.”
Mr. Trump formally pardoned the former president on Dec. 1.”
Honduran Authorities Issue Arrest Warrant for Ex-President Pardoned by Trump
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:35 AM
“U.S. authorities said upon his sentencing to 45 years in prison that he had played a central role in ‘one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the world.’
Mr. Trump formally pardoned the former president on Dec. 1.”
Mr. Trump formally pardoned the former president on Dec. 1.”
Honored to join the @strictscrutiny.bsky.social hosts to talk about summary executions at sea
We Need To Talk About Trump’s Maritime Murders
YouTube video by Strict Scrutiny
youtu.be
December 8, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Honored to join the @strictscrutiny.bsky.social hosts to talk about summary executions at sea
For those asking what Congress can do, here’s one example of what it means to wield the power of the purse:
Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos
Lawmakers quietly stuck the requirement into their must-pass annual defense policy bill.
www.politico.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:06 PM
For those asking what Congress can do, here’s one example of what it means to wield the power of the purse: