Rule of law in the United States
In March 2025, the IBA released a statement expressing deep concern over the ongoing erosion of the rule of law in the US. The US administration's policies and actions in many areas including in relation to the independence of lawyers, women's rights, media freedom and world trade have caused alarm. On this page you will find a selection of articles, podcasts and other content addressing the issues.
A Global Insight feature on America’s use of military action and the international order.
This Global Insight podcast assesses the criticism Trump's disregard for ethics and presidential norms.
State of international law under Trump 2.0
This session brought together a number of distinguished speakers, including Beth Van Schaack and John Bellinger
President Trump’s aggressive approach to immigration has provoked mass protest and the deployment of the US military.
Latest articles
The mass deportation machine
| 25 March 2026
The threat to free and fair elections
| 19 March 2026
Operation Epic Fury
| 12 March 2026
Greenland crisis to have significant implications for international order
| 23 February 2026
President Trump targeting the BBC is a major challenge to media freedom
| 16 February 2026
News releases
Podcasts
Webinars and conference sessions
- The US Declaration of Independence at 250 years and the rule of law
22 Jan 2026
The Declaration of Independence celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026. - The state of international law under the new Trump era
16 Jun 2025
The second term of Donald Trump’s US presidency has brought about significant changes across all aspects of the administration. Sessions at the IBA Annual Conference 2025
2-7 November 2025
The 2025 IBA Annual Conference will take place in Toronto, Canada. Several sessions will touch upon the rule of law in the US.
Click to explore sessionsDynamics of the CUSMA renegotiations: lessons learned from treaty negotiations worldwide
3 November 2025
Panellists will review the developments in the renegotiation of CUSMA, consider the implications and reflect on any lessons learned from recent agreements.China and the Americas - changes and trends of trade and investments
4 November 2025
The trade and investment activities between China and the Americas, have experienced significant changes in recent years due to political turbulence.Goods at the border - the three “amigos” and 2026 USMCA review
5 November 2025
Considering the recent US election and how it will impact trade in the region, in this session we will discuss the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement.Energy policies/environmental protection interests (including policies towards renewables) in Canada, the United States, and Mexico
6 November 2025
An exploration of energy policies and environmental protection interests, including approaches to renewable energy, across Canada, US, and Mexico.Trade in North America: impact of the presidential and federal elections on the 2026 review of the USCMA
6 November 2025
The impact of the change of leadership in the United States, Canada and Mexico, on the review of the North American’s free trade agreement
IBA Global Insight special edition – Donald Trump’s first term
Four years of disruption, destruction and disengagement from the rule of law.
A comprehensive compendium of IBA coverage of Trump’s presidency (2017-2021) is available in the Global Insight app and to download.
Find out more