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://cardozo.yu.edu/directory/rebecca-ingber
https://cardozo.yu.edu/directory/rebecca-ingber
Pinned
Apropos of nothing, violations of law by states do not compel the end of the rule of law. Law has always been honored in the breach.
On the other hand, widespread failure to condemn violations of law by those with power …
On the other hand, widespread failure to condemn violations of law by those with power …
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
January 20, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
on the evening of 9/11 i worked in the operations center at the state department helping field incoming calls & cables. ally after ally promised support under the north atlantic charter. trump is shredding the bonds that make that kind of support natural.
FWIW, the one and only time Article 5 has formally been invoked was following 9/11 -- by NATO and on behalf of the United States, without it having to make any request.
Trump: "The big fear I have with NATO is we spend tremendous amounts of money with NATO and I know we'll come to their rescue, but I just really do question whether or not they'll come to ours. Just saying."
January 20, 2026 at 8:47 PM
on the evening of 9/11 i worked in the operations center at the state department helping field incoming calls & cables. ally after ally promised support under the north atlantic charter. trump is shredding the bonds that make that kind of support natural.
We have crossed that line, wherever it was, where world leaders have moved from trying to hold the course to recognizing, well, this:
Carney: "American hegemony in particular helped provide public goods, a stable financial system... this bargain no longer works. Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition... recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as a weapon. Tariffs as leverage ... "
January 20, 2026 at 5:43 PM
We have crossed that line, wherever it was, where world leaders have moved from trying to hold the course to recognizing, well, this:
Maps are wild
This is such a cool illustration of how the Mercator map distorts the size of Greenland, which looks as big as the whole continent of Africa on that map but is actually the size of Mexico.
January 18, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Maps are wild
The problem is not the internal guardrails. The problem is the people outside the executive branch who are constitutionally entrusted to check and constrain it, who have relied on those internal guardrails instead of doing their own jobs.
I'm a lot less angry at the "we're the guard rails" officials who served in the first term than I once was.
Yeah, sure, if Trump had been free to do more damage, maybe we wouldn't be here today. But hindsight is 20/20 and all that.
Yeah, sure, if Trump had been free to do more damage, maybe we wouldn't be here today. But hindsight is 20/20 and all that.
January 18, 2026 at 7:57 PM
The problem is not the internal guardrails. The problem is the people outside the executive branch who are constitutionally entrusted to check and constrain it, who have relied on those internal guardrails instead of doing their own jobs.
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
2/ Congress needs to put a stop to this shameful and reckless Greenland gambit now.
Here’s Alberto Mora’s latest on how a law already on the books cuts off funds for an action that would result in NATO’s destruction:
www.justsecurity.org/128930/prese...
Here’s Alberto Mora’s latest on how a law already on the books cuts off funds for an action that would result in NATO’s destruction:
www.justsecurity.org/128930/prese...
Preserving NATO; Prohibiting Military Action Against Greenland
Trump’s threats to invade Greenland risk destroying NATO itself, but a little-known statute could prevent him from doing just that.
www.justsecurity.org
January 17, 2026 at 7:43 PM
2/ Congress needs to put a stop to this shameful and reckless Greenland gambit now.
Here’s Alberto Mora’s latest on how a law already on the books cuts off funds for an action that would result in NATO’s destruction:
www.justsecurity.org/128930/prese...
Here’s Alberto Mora’s latest on how a law already on the books cuts off funds for an action that would result in NATO’s destruction:
www.justsecurity.org/128930/prese...
Ok
VARNEY: Troops from Germany, France, Sweden, and Norway are taking part in a military exercise in Greenland. What kind of message are they sending to America?
MARKWAYNE MULLIN: Well, I don't think this is a message to the US. This is a message to China and Russia.
MARKWAYNE MULLIN: Well, I don't think this is a message to the US. This is a message to China and Russia.
January 16, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Ok
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
But my neighbors are appalled and so many are stepping up. Fear does not work so well in the North Star state. We survive Arctic winters every year, we will survive ICE.
January 16, 2026 at 11:09 AM
But my neighbors are appalled and so many are stepping up. Fear does not work so well in the North Star state. We survive Arctic winters every year, we will survive ICE.
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
A homicide in a camp where members of politically disfavored ethnic groups are concentrated.
"a colossal makeshift tent encampment on the Mexican border"
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
January 16, 2026 at 12:16 AM
A homicide in a camp where members of politically disfavored ethnic groups are concentrated.
Abjectly terrifying thread on ICE abductions of random people off the street. Read the whole thread.
If you see one, the most important thing to say is “WHAT’S YOUR NAME” because otherwise the person is gone for good, maybe. I witnessed one in an alley as the sole pursuit car, I was the only witness, I froze for a second and didn’t shout it in time, and the guy is just… gone now. I’ll never know.
January 14, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Abjectly terrifying thread on ICE abductions of random people off the street. Read the whole thread.
It was a pleasure to speak with @weissmann.substack.com and Mary McCord about Venezuela, international law, and why it is in the U.S. interests to maintain a stable world governed by the rule of law, for their Main Justice podcast.
Available below or here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Available below or here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
January 14, 2026 at 3:49 PM
It was a pleasure to speak with @weissmann.substack.com and Mary McCord about Venezuela, international law, and why it is in the U.S. interests to maintain a stable world governed by the rule of law, for their Main Justice podcast.
Available below or here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Available below or here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Listen to our @rcls-nyu.bsky.social senior fellow @becingber.bsky.social lay out the stakes & explain the law re US actions in Venezuela.
With our faculty co-director @weissmann.substack.com & Mary McCord on their Main Justice podcast:
substack.com/@ghost22/not...
With our faculty co-director @weissmann.substack.com & Mary McCord on their Main Justice podcast:
substack.com/@ghost22/not...
Consolidation of Power
A new episode of Main Justice, with a special guest
substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Listen to our @rcls-nyu.bsky.social senior fellow @becingber.bsky.social lay out the stakes & explain the law re US actions in Venezuela.
With our faculty co-director @weissmann.substack.com & Mary McCord on their Main Justice podcast:
substack.com/@ghost22/not...
With our faculty co-director @weissmann.substack.com & Mary McCord on their Main Justice podcast:
substack.com/@ghost22/not...
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
1/DOJ OLC's memo on the #Venezuela attack makes clear that that in the Executive's view, there's nothing left of Congress' Art. I power to decide whether the nation goes to war.
Congress needs to push back hard on this.
More to come, but a few initial observations:
www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
Congress needs to push back hard on this.
More to come, but a few initial observations:
www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
www.justice.gov
January 13, 2026 at 10:50 PM
1/DOJ OLC's memo on the #Venezuela attack makes clear that that in the Executive's view, there's nothing left of Congress' Art. I power to decide whether the nation goes to war.
Congress needs to push back hard on this.
More to come, but a few initial observations:
www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
Congress needs to push back hard on this.
More to come, but a few initial observations:
www.justice.gov/olc/media/14...
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
13/ In an extraordinary show of how absurd this “war in the constitutional sense” test has become, the memo shockingly concludes that:
“It is unlikely that even the full loss of the strike force would amount to the type of sustained casualties that would amount to a constitutional war.”
“It is unlikely that even the full loss of the strike force would amount to the type of sustained casualties that would amount to a constitutional war.”
January 13, 2026 at 10:50 PM
13/ In an extraordinary show of how absurd this “war in the constitutional sense” test has become, the memo shockingly concludes that:
“It is unlikely that even the full loss of the strike force would amount to the type of sustained casualties that would amount to a constitutional war.”
“It is unlikely that even the full loss of the strike force would amount to the type of sustained casualties that would amount to a constitutional war.”
DOJ just published a redacted version of the OLC memo justifying the Administration’s campaign/attacks in Venezuela and capture of Maduro:
www.justice.gov
January 13, 2026 at 9:50 PM
DOJ just published a redacted version of the OLC memo justifying the Administration’s campaign/attacks in Venezuela and capture of Maduro:
In fact, @jacklgoldsmith.bsky.social and Daryl Levinson wrote about exactly this in 2009:
January 12, 2026 at 5:57 PM
In fact, @jacklgoldsmith.bsky.social and Daryl Levinson wrote about exactly this in 2009:
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Thanks to @npr.org On Point for hosting an in-depth conversation about international law in the face of Trump's actions in Venezuela with me & @sranderson.bsky.social If you missed it, they'll post the episode here soon: www.wbur.org/radio/progra...
Next episode
The latest show topics from On Point, updated daily.
www.wbur.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Thanks to @npr.org On Point for hosting an in-depth conversation about international law in the face of Trump's actions in Venezuela with me & @sranderson.bsky.social If you missed it, they'll post the episode here soon: www.wbur.org/radio/progra...
Oof
Archaeologists: D.C. Capitol May Have Once Been Used For Legislating https://theonion.com/archaeologists-d-c-capitol-may-have-once-been-used-for-legislating/
January 12, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Oof
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
1/ Trump's War Powers Report to Congress on the #Venezuela strikes and seizure of #Maduro is in.
I've read/coded every WPR report and used to work on them in the White House. (See this searchable database & graphics warpowers.lawandsecurity.org/%F0%9F%91%87)
Here's what stands out about this one🧵:
I've read/coded every WPR report and used to work on them in the White House. (See this searchable database & graphics warpowers.lawandsecurity.org/%F0%9F%91%87)
Here's what stands out about this one🧵:
January 6, 2026 at 5:52 AM
1/ Trump's War Powers Report to Congress on the #Venezuela strikes and seizure of #Maduro is in.
I've read/coded every WPR report and used to work on them in the White House. (See this searchable database & graphics warpowers.lawandsecurity.org/%F0%9F%91%87)
Here's what stands out about this one🧵:
I've read/coded every WPR report and used to work on them in the White House. (See this searchable database & graphics warpowers.lawandsecurity.org/%F0%9F%91%87)
Here's what stands out about this one🧵:
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Day 2 is a wrap! I just swam the Kalohi Channel in the Pacific Ocean in 5 hours 20 mins to support Maui wildfire recovery. Donate here: www.gofundme.com/f/maui-nui If I make it through tomorrow I’ll be the 10th woman to complete Maui Nui (!!)
Donate to Multi-channel ocean swim for Maui wildfire recovery, organized by Rebecca Hamilton
I’m attempting the Maui Nui Swim. It is a multi-channel ultra mar… Rebecca Hamilton needs your support for Multi-channel ocean swim for Maui wildfire recovery
www.gofundme.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Day 2 is a wrap! I just swam the Kalohi Channel in the Pacific Ocean in 5 hours 20 mins to support Maui wildfire recovery. Donate here: www.gofundme.com/f/maui-nui If I make it through tomorrow I’ll be the 10th woman to complete Maui Nui (!!)
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
1/This is something you say when you know you aren't in compliance with the law.
Add that to ignoring:
-UN Charter prohibition on use of force (which is supreme law of the land)
-Constitutional duty to faithfully execute the law
-Congress' authority to decide when the US goes to war
But also:
Add that to ignoring:
-UN Charter prohibition on use of force (which is supreme law of the land)
-Constitutional duty to faithfully execute the law
-Congress' authority to decide when the US goes to war
But also:
JD Vance: "The War Powers Act is fundamentally a fake and unconstitutional law"
January 8, 2026 at 7:31 PM
1/This is something you say when you know you aren't in compliance with the law.
Add that to ignoring:
-UN Charter prohibition on use of force (which is supreme law of the land)
-Constitutional duty to faithfully execute the law
-Congress' authority to decide when the US goes to war
But also:
Add that to ignoring:
-UN Charter prohibition on use of force (which is supreme law of the land)
-Constitutional duty to faithfully execute the law
-Congress' authority to decide when the US goes to war
But also:
“fake law”
JD Vance: "The War Powers Act is fundamentally a fake and unconstitutional law"
January 8, 2026 at 7:14 PM
“fake law”
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
Worth remembering, when you see passages like the one below, that this was not inevitable--the WPR mechanism does not allow for a presidential veto. It is only because of the Supreme Court's Chadha opinion that the president could veto the Venezuela resolution. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 8, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Worth remembering, when you see passages like the one below, that this was not inevitable--the WPR mechanism does not allow for a presidential veto. It is only because of the Supreme Court's Chadha opinion that the president could veto the Venezuela resolution. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Rebecca Ingber
DHS Warns Any Action By Americans Will Be Treated As Domestic Terrorism https://theonion.com/dhs-warns-any-action-by-americans-will-be-treated-as-domestic-terrorism/
January 8, 2026 at 6:57 PM
DHS Warns Any Action By Americans Will Be Treated As Domestic Terrorism https://theonion.com/dhs-warns-any-action-by-americans-will-be-treated-as-domestic-terrorism/
“Needless to say, when the US invades another country, and the armed forces of that country respond by using force, it is the invaded country that is exercising self-defence and not the United States.”
As usual Marko gets straight to the point:
As usual Marko gets straight to the point:
Some Further Thoughts on the Illegal US Attack on Venezuela: Self-Defence, Cyber, and Continuing Coercion
In this post, I want to provide a couple of thoughts on some aspects of the unlawful US attack on Venezuela on 3 January. Before doing so, however, I should simply say that I completely endorse the an...
www.ejiltalk.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:23 PM
“Needless to say, when the US invades another country, and the armed forces of that country respond by using force, it is the invaded country that is exercising self-defence and not the United States.”
As usual Marko gets straight to the point:
As usual Marko gets straight to the point: