Posts by James Joyner

James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is a Professor of Security Studies. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent and CBP representative discuss U.S. Customs and Border Protection pedestrian border barrier requirements near Lukeville, Arizona, May 7. USACE is supporting the Department of Homeland Security's request to build pedestrian fencing, construct and improve roads, and install lighting within the Yuma and Tucson, Arizona, U.S. Border Patrol sectors following the Feb. 15 national emergency declaration on the southern border of the United States. The Department of Defense has the authority under Section 284 of Title 10, U.S. Code, to construct roads and fences and to install lighting to block drug-smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States in support of counter-narcotics activities of federal law enforcement agencies. A U.S. Border Patrol agent and CBP representative discuss U.S. Customs and Border Protection pedestrian border barrier requirements near Lukeville, Arizona, May 7. USACE is supporting the Department of Homeland Security's request to build pedestrian fencing, construct and improve roads, and install lighting within the Yuma and Tucson, Arizona, U.S. Border Patrol sectors following the Feb. 15 national emergency declaration on the southern border of the United States. The Department of Defense has the authority under Section 284 of Title 10, U.S. Code, to construct roads and fences and to install lighting to block drug-smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States in support of counter-narcotics activities of federal law enforcement agencies.

Department of Deportation

Surging resources to immigration enforcement comes with tradeoffs.

Americans Ambivalent on Extrajudicial Killing

Support is low, but opposition is tepid.

Not Ready for a Female President?

Michelle Obama thinks so.

Epstein Files Discharge Petition Reaches Target

Newly-Sworn-in-Rep. Grijalva provides the final signature.

‘A Moratorium on Mischief’

What the shutdown should have been about.

The free high-resolution photo of board, game, play, number, color, business, yellow, competition, strategy, games, shape, pieces, win, indoor games and sports, tabletop game , taken with an SLT-A58 03/10 2017 The picture taken with 35.0mm, f/1.8s, 1/30s, ISO 100 The free high-resolution photo of board, game, play, number, color, business, yellow, competition, strategy, games, shape, pieces, win, indoor games and sports, tabletop game , taken with an SLT-A58 03/10 2017 The picture taken with 35.0mm, f/1.8s, 1/30s, ISO 100

Politics Isn’t Just a Game

There are real life consequences.

Eight Democrats Break Ranks to End Filibuster

A lot of pain for . . . not much.

Airlines Managing Flight Delays. For Now.

Things will get radically worse if the shutdown doesn’t end soon.

Google-Disney Standoff Leaves Football Fans in the Dark

ABC and ESPN networks are off YouTubeTV for a second weekend.

SCOTUS Blocks Order for Full SNAP Payments

It’s not what you think.

Saturday’s Forum

Nancy Pelosi to Retire

The octogenarian Speaker Emerita will not seek re-election.

The Shutdown Nonsense Drags On

Democrats are digging in.

Democrats Win Off-Off Year Elections They Were Expected to Win

And what it means for 2024 and beyond.

The Longest Government Shutdown in US History

The standoff is in its 35th day.

Dick Cheney, 1941-2025

The former Defense Secretary and Vice President is gone at 84.

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Trump Says War Powers Act Doesn’t Apply to Cartel Strikes

It’s not an unprecedented stance.

Judges Order Administration to Pay SNAP Benefits

It turns out that mandatory spending is, well, mandatory.

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Saturday Tabs

Shutdown Winding Down?

The light at the end of the tunnel is a train.

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Trump to Pay Troops Again

The Pentagon’s couch cushions are huuuuge.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 128th Military Police Company, Alabama National Guard, begin their patrol in Washington, D.C., Oct. 24, 2025. The D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission brings together National Guard Soldiers and law enforcement partners to enhance public safety and strengthen community trust across the District. U.S. Army Soldiers with the 128th Military Police Company, Alabama National Guard, begin their patrol in Washington, D.C., Oct. 24, 2025. The D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission brings together National Guard Soldiers and law enforcement partners to enhance public safety and strengthen community trust across the District.

National Guard Deployment to DC Extended

A million dollars a day.

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The Coming AI Bubble?

A chip maker is the most valuable company on the planet.

Shutdown Pressure Points

Upcoming milestones that could force a deal.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 3, 2020. Ford is underway conducting carrier qualifications. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 3, 2020. Ford is underway conducting carrier qualifications.

We’re on the Verge of War With Venezuela (and Maybe Colombia)

What could possibly go wrong?

1.4 Million Federal Workers Go Unpaid

Next up: our armed forces.

President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025. President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025.

Trump Won’t Ask Congress for Approval

“What are they going to do? Say, ‘Gee, we don’t want to stop drugs pouring in?’”

A Curated History of White House Changes

Courtesy of President Donald J. Trump.

East Wing Almost Gone

The move to build Trump’s Big Beautiful Ballroom is moving at record speed.

The Internet of Everything

The downside of our increasing connectivity.

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East Wing Demolished to Built Trump Ballroom

It’s huuuuge.

Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, gestures during the session 'Vision for the G20' at the Annual Meeting 2011 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 27, 2011. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, gestures during the session 'Vision for the G20' at the Annual Meeting 2011 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 27, 2011.

Nicolas Sarkozy Jailed

He becomes the first French ex-head of state to be jailed since Marshal Pétain.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, October 13, 2025, celebrating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, October 13, 2025, celebrating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Trump’s Peace Deal May Prove Short-Lived

The hostages have been released, but the war appears back on.

The Elephant is the traditional symbol for the Republican party. The Donkey is the traditional symbol for the Democratic party. The Elephant is the traditional symbol for the Republican party. The Donkey is the traditional symbol for the Democratic party.

Party Favorability Gap

Democrats are considerably less happy with their party than are Republicans.

The Largest One-Day Protest In American History

Millions turned out in support of basic ideals.

No Kings rally Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania June 14, 2025 No Kings rally Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania June 14, 2025

Is The Resistance Futile?

The second round of No Kings rallies will take place today. Will they matter?

KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley plays between Gene Simmons -L- and Paul Stanley -R- during the guitar exchange portion of the song DETROIT, ROCK CITY in Bakersfield, CA during the band's Farewell Tour, March 21, 2000. KISS lead guitarist Ace Frehley plays between Gene Simmons -L- and Paul Stanley -R- during the guitar exchange portion of the song DETROIT, ROCK CITY in Bakersfield, CA during the band's Farewell Tour, March 21, 2000.

Ace Frehley, 1951-2025

The original KISS lead guitarist is gone at 74.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks in honor of the U.S. Navy 250th anniversary celebration at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia President Donald Trump delivers remarks in honor of the U.S. Navy 250th anniversary celebration at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia

The War on Venezuela is Escalating

The SOUTHCOM commander has resigned and the Senate is debating, but it won’t matter.

End of the Voting Rights Act?

SCOTUS appears ready to supercharge gerrymandering.

abstract image with silhouettes of all different people abstract image with silhouettes of all different people

The Revolution Will Not Be Happening

The public is much less concerned than you are.

Republicans In Disarray!

Not so much.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, October 13, 2025, celebrating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Israel, Monday, October 13, 2025, celebrating the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Trump Takes Victory Lap as Israeli Hostages Freed

All 20 living hostages have been released and the bodies of others are slowly being returned.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes remarks at an event announcing the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Commission, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the East Room of the White House. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. makes remarks at an event announcing the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) Commission, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the East Room of the White House.

CDC is Over

The health agency has been gutted under RFK Jr.’s reign.

Trump to Pay Troops with ‘Available Funds’

Congress, Schmongress.

Trump Fires Workers Amidst Shutdown

A dramatic escalation of the standoff.

Trump’s Nobel Bid

Peace Prize in our time!

President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a joint press conference announcing the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, Monday, September 29, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a joint press conference announcing the U.S. peace plan for Gaza, Monday, September 29, 2025.

Trump Peace Plan to Be Implemented as Negotiations Continue

A pause in fighting, release of hostages, and then . . . ?

SCOTUS’s Last Chance to Save the Constitution

The term which kicked off this week wil decide whether we effectively have a king.

Judge Issues Second Order Against Sending Guard to Portland

She was not amused by the administration’s workaround.

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Judge Blocks Mobilizing Guard Against Portland Protestors

The decision “was not conceived in good faith.”