Thread by @ThePublicSquare

What Do We Do Now? We’re live with @JacksonYale national security law scholar @AshaRangappa_ and NYT national security reporter @julianbarnes to discuss: pscp.tv/ThePublicSquar…

@julianbarnes covers our nation’s intelligence agencies for the @nytimes. He called into the virtual green room to chat about why the whoopie pie belongs to Maine, his COVID guilty pleasure, and life (and death) as an amateur chicken farmer: zps.la/32CZEGT

Back in 2014, Barnes wrote an essay for us describing the time a fox got into his chicken coup—and how the Pentagon officers he covered at the time watched the security video and commented on his coup’s “force protection measures.” zps.la/3pqSQFM

@AshaRangappa_ is a faculty member at @JacksonYale and a former FBI counterintelligence agent—not to mention a CNN commentator and Zócalo contributing editor. Before a Zócalo event in 2017, she chatted in our green room about tapas, teaching, and Bógota: zps.la/2JUoknw

Rangappa recently penned an essay for us with @jenmercieca describing the ancient Greeks’ methods for truth-seeking—and how exactly “fake news” is destructive to democracy. zps.la/2zdIggb

We’re live! Join Zócalo to discuss “What Do We Do Now?” with national security law scholar @AshaRangappa_ and national security reporter @julianbarnes. Ask your questions for the speakers in the live chat here: zps.la/35r38xQ

"We have a tradition where we don't prosecute the previous administration," Barnes points out. But, given the number of arguments making the case that we should consider doing so this time, he asks Rangappa for her take.

“There’s too much going on that really does need to be looked at—on so many fronts.” Rangappa cites family separation (which she compares to the authorization of torture) and personal corruption, and notes that she thinks the Biden administration should appoint a special council.

When it comes to the balance between national security and civil liberties, @AshaRangappa_ says, “I think you always want to put the responsibility on the government to be as close to error-free as possible. Especially when you have a procedure that’s being done in secret.”

“If you were going to try to take some norms and make them rules,” Barnes prompts, “what would you do?”

“One might be to strengthen protections for inspector generals,” Rangappa replies—they are one vehicle by which Congress should learn about misconduct in the executive branch.

"I think Congress could also start to take some of its power back," @AshaRangappa_ continues. "One of the things that we've seen over the last four decades is an accretion of power by the executive branch—because Congress has given it away."

For those just tuning in, we're live with @julianbarnes and @AshaRangappa_ discussing what's next after one of the most traumatic elections in history. Join in and ask questions via live chat here: zps.la/35r38xQ

Turning to the topic of transitioning between administrations, Rangappa says that her main concern is the national security "vacuum" that is formed by having a president who "does not read the presidential daily brief" and an incoming president who's not allowed to access it.

“Ignoring the tantrum that the 5-year-old is having"—Trump's fraud claims—and continuing is a good strategy for President-elect Biden, @AshaRangappa_ says. "But I’m starting to see signs that reality is setting in. Floating the idea of running in 2024 is an implicit concession.”

It's audience Q&A time! Ask yours in the live chat here: zps.la/35r38xQ

In response to the first audience question—could President Trump pardon himself?—Rangappa says most legal scholars agree that a self-pardon would be invalid. Trump could step down and let Pence take the presidency and pardon Trump "and his children."

When it comes to institutions like Homeland Security, @AshaRangappa_ thinks we should ask, "What is the institutional culture here? Has it become so toxic and dysfunctional and unable to pursue its mission in accordance with the constitution that it does have to be reimagined?"

That's a wrap, folks! Thanks to @AshaRangappa_, @julianbarnes, and everyone who joined. Look out for The Takeaway with a summary of the conversation tomorrow, and join us again next week for "Why Is It so Easy to Get Away With Murder?" with @jvgarrison: zps.la/3jEZpAR