All Content
Welcome to the Institute for the Study of States of Exception (ISSE) main content page, a single source for all posts from the Institute, including commentary on global events, book reviews, academic literature, links to our podcasts, and additional resources. Check back regularly for more content from us.
“Sovereign is he who decides the exception.”
— Carl Schmitt (Political Theology: Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty, 1922)
Donald Trump keeps declaring national emergencies. Why?
The Vox article, “Donald Trump keeps declaring national emergencies. Why?” published on May 18, 2025, examines President Trump’s unprecedented use of national emergency declarations during the first 100 days of his second term. As of this writing, he has declared eight national emergencies across various domains, including the southern border, energy, trade, drug trafficking, and the International Criminal Court. These declarations grant him access to special powers outlined in over 150 legal provisions, enabling actions beyond or against congressional authorization. The article features insights from Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice, who discusses the history and potential for misuse of these powers, especially given the limited checks on presidential authority following a 1983 Supreme Court ruling that removed Congress’s ability to veto emergency declarations…