From 2016 to 2021, the WJP Rule of Law Index logged steady declines in rule of law in the United States. These declines were largely driven by the weakening of checks on government powers—which ensure executive authority is held accountable—and longstanding discrimination in the justice system that continued to pull U.S. scores down. However, this year, the United States was one of the top 10 most improved countries in the 2022 WJP Rule of Law Index.  

In a virtual briefing co-sponsored by the World Justice Project and the American Bar Association Cornerstones of Democracy Commission, we will take a deep dive into the U.S. scores in this year’s Index and examine what needs to be done to keep strengthening rule of law and rebuild trust.