In the wake of 9/11, the Bush Administration repeatedly has sought to expand the power of the executive branch. What are the dangers of an executive branch unchecked by Congress and the Judiciary? In “Unchecked and Unbalanced: Presidential Power in a Time of Terror,” Frederick A.O. Schwarz, Jr., will talk about the risks and consequences of the Bush Administration’s actions. This free program will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, in the Humphrey Forum.

Schwarz is senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law and a partner at Cravath, Swaine, and Moore. He was chief counsel to the Church Committee, which investigated executive branch overreaching in the mid-1970s. His presentation will be based on his recent book on the subject, in which he draws parallels between the Nixon White House and the Bush Administration.

Following Schwarz’s presentation, Vice President Walter Mondale and U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim will join Schwartz in a conversation about the meaning and significance of the changes in executive branch powers.

“Unchecked and Unbalanced” is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, a research center at the Humphrey School that supports studies and outreach to increase the public understanding of politics.

November 13, 2007