The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
ICE expansion has outpaced accountability. What are the remedies?
English Summary
Brookings argues that ICE’s rapid expansion and weakened hiring and training standards have led to a surge in excessive force incidents, including the deaths of U.S. citizens. The report highlights that training durations have been cut by over 60% while 'absolute immunity' claims increasingly shield agents from accountability for constitutional violations. To mitigate these risks, the authors recommend implementing mandatory de-escalation training, cross-checking misconduct files, and requiring body-worn cameras. These reforms are presented as critical steps to restore institutional legitimacy and protect civil rights during domestic enforcement operations.
中文摘要
布魯金斯學會指出，美國移民及海關執法局（ICE）的急速擴張及招募與培訓標準的下降，已導致過度使用武力事件激增，甚至造成美國公民死亡。報告強調，該局培訓時長縮減逾六成，且「絕對豁免權」的主張日益成為執法人員規避違憲責任的屏障。為降低相關風險，報告建議應實行強制性的衝突降級培訓、建立不當行為檔案交叉檢核機制，並強制配戴隨身攝影機。這些改革被視為在執行國內執法任務時，恢復制度合法性並保障公民權利的關鍵舉措。
Related Entries
-
1.
-
2.
The article argues that Donald Trump's unique and prolonged lame-duck period, coupled with domestic political pressures, makes him dangerously prone to international instability. Having exhausted major diplomatic gambits, Trump is expected to channel his energy into high-stakes, unilateral actions, primarily targeting adversaries such as Iran and Cuba. These potential actions—ranging from fresh strikes in the Persian Gulf to attempts at regime change—carry a significant risk of destabilizing regional security and triggering a global economic crisis. Policymakers must anticipate this pivot to high-risk foreign policy to mitigate potential international flare-ups.
-
3.
The publication argues that current efforts to improve the well-being of men and boys of color are too fragmented, failing to account for the structural linkages between systems like education, employment, and criminal justice. It proposes a new, holistic framework that traces how structural conditions flow through multiple domains to measurable outcomes, such as longevity. Key reasoning emphasizes the need to treat 'place' as a fundamental actor and to identify successful communities where these populations are already thriving. Policy implications require shifting away from individual-focused interventions toward developing structural, place-based agendas that address systemic inequities.
-
4.
The Blue Wave signals significant voter frustration with cost of living and inflation, giving Congress a mandate to prioritize affordability and cost-reduction measures. Economically, the rapid build-out of AI data centers is creating localized stress, driving up skilled labor wages and straining resources, while also facing constraints from power grids and potential local regulatory backlash. Policymakers must manage this 'sequencing issue'—addressing rising costs before full productivity gains from AI can materialize—and anticipate shifts in global data center infrastructure as the market matures.
-
5.
The built environment workforce, comprising 15.3 million workers across 95 occupations, is foundational to modern infrastructure and economic stability. While highly paid, the workforce suffers from significant demographic imbalances, being disproportionately white and male, and often lacking clear career progression pathways. To prevent project delays and cost overruns, policy must mandate that capital asset owners treat labor market forecasting as core to project planning. Strategic interventions are required to strengthen career pipelines through robust apprenticeships, improve retention, and actively recruit younger and more diverse workers.