The state of the rule of law in the US: Where are we now, and what is to come?
Past Event
Opening Remarks & Panel 1: National Security and Law Enforcement

Opening Remarks & Panel 1: National Security and Law Enforcement
Opening Remarks & Panel 1: National Security and Law Enforcement

A Conversation with Ken Starr via Remote Video: Lessons for the Special Counsel Investigation

Panel 2: Congressional Government Oversight
Panel 2: Congressional Government Oversight

A Pre-recorded Conversation with Preet Bharara: Is Accountability Inevitable?

Panel 3: Judicial and Law Enforcement Independence
Panel 3: Judicial and Law Enforcement Independence
Rule of law in the United States—long the envy of countries around the globe—has become a hotly contested issue on both sides of the political aisle. Recent developments, including with respect to the leadership of the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court nomination process have heightened the stakes. The fair application of the law by independent, executive-branch law enforcement agencies and by the judiciary, overseen by Congress, has served as a historical guarantor of U.S. democracy. But in today’s volatile climate, we are faced with a host of difficult questions about what comes next as we strive to maintain the balance between independence and accountability and to enforce our laws.
On Wednesday, Oct. 3, Governance Studies at The Brookings Institution hosted a half-day event on the rule of law, featuring three bipartisan panels of prominent experts. The first panel discussed the role of national security and law enforcement, the second focused on government oversight, and the third broadly explored the rule of law and the strength of this crucial pillar of democracy. Between panels, a pre-recorded interview between Norman Eisen and Preet Bharara was screened, and Benjamin Wittes conducted a live interview with Ken Starr via remote video.
After each panel, speakers took questions from the audience.
Agenda
Opening Remarks: The State of Rule of Law in America Today
Panel 1: National Security and Law Enforcement
Mary McCord
Visiting Professor of Law - Georgetown University Law Center
Legal Director - Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection
Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.)
Ranking Member, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence - U.S. House of Representatives
A Conversation with Ken Starr via Remote Video: Lessons for the Special Counsel Investigation
Ken Starr
Former U.S. Solicitor General (1989-1993)
Panel 2: Congressional Government Oversight
Susan Hennessey
Former Brookings Expert
Senior Counsel, National Security Division - Department of Justice
The Hon. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)
Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform - U.S. House of Representatives
A Pre-recorded Conversation with Preet Bharara: Is Accountability Inevitable?
Panel 3: Judicial and Law Enforcement Independence
Carrie Cordero
Robert M. Gates Senior Fellow and General Counsel - Center for a New American Security
Mickey Edwards
Vice President and Program Director - The Aspen Institute
Former Member (R-Okla., 1977-1993) - U.S. House of Representatives
The Hon. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.)
Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary - U.S. House of Representatives
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