About Executive Functions

Welcome to the Executive Functions newsletter, run by Bob Bauer and Jack Goldsmith, and devoted to analysis of presidential and broader executive power issues.

Bob previously served in government as White House Counsel to President Barack Obama. He now teaches at New York University School of Law. Many of his publications can be found here, here, and here. Jack previously served as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel during the George W. Bush administration. He now teaches at Harvard Law School. Many of his writings can be found here and here.

We have both seen executive power up close, albeit from different spots on Pennsylvania Avenue and in two very different presidential administrations. As we explained in our 2020 book, After Trump: Reconstructing the Presidency, we believe that “a powerful, vigorous presidency is vital to the proper functioning of American democracy.” But we also believe, following Arthur Schlesinger Jr., that “a strong presidency” works best when couched “within an equally strong system of accountability.”

Executive Functions aims to provide informed assessments of executive branch actions that puts them in legal, political, and historical context. We have our opinions, and we do not always agree. We will do our best to provide accurate and fair-minded analysis, to separate analysis from opinion, and to acknowledge mistakes.

We publish weekly essays and respond to breaking news when we can. We also feature video discussions, podcast interviews, and daily roundup summaries of news developments and commentary related to executive power.

Executive Editor

Tia Sewell received her B.A. from Stanford University in International Relations and her M.A. from Sciences Po Paris in International Security. She was previously an associate editor at Lawfare and has worked at the Financial Action Task Force, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State.

Student Contributors

Kristijan Barnjak is a J.D. Candidate at Georgetown University Law Center, where he focuses on national security and technology law. He received his B.A. from the University of Arizona in P.P.E.L., economics, and philosophy.

Regina De Nigris is a J.D. Candidate at Harvard Law School, where she is an Editor on the Harvard Law Review. She received her B.A. from Yale University in Ethics, Politics & Economics.

Matt Fidel is a J.D. Candidate at Harvard Law School, where he focuses on public law. Previously, he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Senior Policy Advisor and Communications Director. Matt received his B.A. from the University of Michigan in Public Policy.

June Lee is a J.D. Candidate at Harvard Law School, where she focuses on national security and cyber law. Previously, she was a cyber policy analyst at the Department of Defense. She received her B.A. from Stanford University in International Relations.

Ema Rose Schumer is a J.D. Candidate at Harvard Law School, where she focuses on immigration and criminal law. Previously, she was a journalist covering the criminal justice system in South Carolina. She received her B.A. from Harvard University in History.

About Subscriptions

All Executive Functions content is free. For those who wish to support the project, we have monthly, annual, and Founding Member subscription plans. Your contributions will fund administrative and editorial support (though our work is and will remain uncompensated).

Stay up-to-date

Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.

To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.