Consulship of Casey Pemberton

The consulship of Casey Pemberton began on 13 July 2016 when Casey Pemberton, also known during part of his term by the pseudonym "Nikias Wernher," was inaugurated as 2nd Consul of the Grand Republic, and ended on 05 July 2017. Pemberton took office after his opponent, incumbent Jordan Brizendine, conceded the race following the deadlock in the 2016 consular election. Pemberton was succeeded by Dylan Callahan, who defeated him in the 2017 consular election. Pemberton was known for a more removed approach to governance than his predecessor, preferring to delegate his executive powers to others rather than exercise them personally. His administration oversaw the most successful Delveran military operations up to that point (Operations Vicuna, Genesis, and Exodus) and implemented a number of economic, diplomatic, and military reforms, but also faced notable challenges in the 2016 Activity Crisis, the Itemsgate scandal, and the Hyperactivity Crisis. Pemberton was impeached along with two members of his cabinet as a result of the Hyperactivity Crisis, but was cleared of all charges. During his consulship, much of the Callahan Plan's goals were realized and NottaLotta Acres was reunited with Neosho.

Election of 2016
Main Article: Delveran consular election, 2016 Upon the advisement of his future campaign manager, Dylan Callahan, Pemberton began preparing for his campaign at the onset of the Callahan Plan in May 2016. Initially viewed as a perennial runner-up to his competitor, Jordan Brizendine, Pemberton's campaign gained steam, an effect which he attributed to Callahan's efforts and his adoption of the slogan "Give Brizendine a Break." Brizendine's campaign was confident enough in a victory that it failed to diligently remind all of its supporters to vote, leading to a tie at the polls. The deadlock continued in the Council of Governors after one governor's vote was declared invalid due to his failure to pay the confederal poll tax. Brizendine conceded the race on July 13, ending the stalemate and making Pemberton (First) Consul-elect. He was inaugurated later that day.

Administration and cabinet
The Pemberton cabinet initially consisted of Supreme Commander and Consul-Emeritus Jordan Brizendine as President and Minister of State, Military Governor Dylan Callahan as Minister of Commerce, Adam Brizendine as Minister of the Interior, and Amy Brizendine as Minister of Justice. Adam Brizendine resigned from the Interior position on November 23, opting instead to serve as Secretary of Conservation. His replacement, Maverick Callahan, resigned on December 20 and left micronationalism for a time. Military Governor Christian Newton took the post on December 29, but was soon overshadowed and replaced by Secretary of Science and Colonial Governor Samuel Johnson by January 30. Jordan Brizendine resigned his State position on January 31 for personal reasons, leaving that office vacant. Johnson later resigned his post in the aftermath of the Hyperactivity Crisis, leading to another vacancy. Thus, the most consistent problem with Pemberton's administration involved the quick turnover of Ministers of the Interior, leading to little productive output from the Ministry and a delay in the 2017 election.

Major acts and legislation
The regular operation of the Chamber of Deputies developed under Pemberton's administration, passing several reforms to organize and conduct itself more efficiently. Significant advancements in defining Delvera's status and its relationship with other states, as well as strengthening the confederal economy, developing a system of criminal law, and reinforcing protections of citizens' rights and governmental continuity took place during his term.

Sovereignty and Diplomacy
Early in Pemberton's term on September 11, the Chamber ratified both the Declaration of Delveran Independence and the Articles of Open Affiliation. These documents summarily outlined the nature of the Delveran state, proclaiming it to be free and independent, while at the same time existing in a state of open affiliation and cooperation with the macronations which it borders.

Economy
Direct efforts were made to establish a Delveran economy during the Pemberton administration, beginning with the passage of the National Bank Act of 2016 and the Public Compensations Bill on October 6, which established the Confederal Bank and a system of pay for confederal employees respectively. Later that year, the Tax and Postage Act of 2016 created the confederal poll tax and postal systems on November 2.

Justice
The first serious steps to building a system of Delveran criminal law began with the passage of the Dual Citizenship Act and the Surveillance and Espionage Act on October 26. These bills outlined four specific crimes and the punishments which would be levied against perpetrators for each. The greatest breakthrough in this area, however, was the implementation of the Delveran Criminal Code on June 28 of the next year. This document listed and defined all crimes for which Delveran citizens could be tried and all sentences which could be prescribed by judicial authorities. Another significant reform on that date was a series of constitutional amendments which implemented the transition of the High Court from a permanent standing body to a temporary body which would be formed from either the Council or Chamber when it was required.

Rights
Delveran citizens and provinces achieved strengthened protections of their respective liberties during the first half of 2017. On March 1, the Writ of Rights was amended to preclude refusal of citizenship on the basis of religion and to reinforce the right of all citizens to possess, read, and distribute any holy text and attend any religious institution of their choice. Later, on June 28, the 2017 Confederal Military Resolution disbanded the bulk of the confederal military and put more emphasis on the provincially-based militia system while reinforcing the exclusive right of the provinces to declare war.

Continuity
The continuity of the Delveran government was further assured with such measures as the Capital Establishment Act, which formally established a capital city in the Territory of Colo on October 6, and the Succession Act, which created an official line of succession for the offices of Consul and President on February 19 of the following year.

Policies
Pemberton's foreign policy was outlined in the middle of his term with the Ministry of State's dual implementation of the Declaration of Influence and Exclusivity and the Definition of a Legitimate State on December 18. These doctrines established a zone of micronational influence exclusive to Delvera and a working definition of legitimacy that is required of another state for acknowledgment and cooperation from the Grand Republic. These policies subsequently led to the termination of relations with most of Delvera's treaty partners on December 29. Under Pemberton's leadership, Delvera annexed NottaLotta Acres after a brief occupation by military forces in September 2016, finally completing the reunification of the two states after Pansygate and the downfall of the NottaLottan Empire had torn them apart in 2013. Internally, the administration actively pursued growth, establishing the colonial system in late 2016 and incorporating two new colonies in early 2017.

Impeachment
Consul Pemberton, President Brizendine, and Minister of the Interior Johnson were successively impeached on February 20 over charges surrounding the Hyperactivity Crisis. Both Pemberton and Brizendine were found not guilty and summarily cleared of charges, while Minister Johnson accepted a plea deal in which he was allowed to keep his position, but lost charge of the upcoming election.

Opinions
Overall, Pemberton's consulship was well-received among Delverans, primarily due to the activities of his ministers. However, there were two notable incidences in which this opinion was shaken. In the immediate aftermath of the 2016 Activity Crisis, the event was referred to as the "Wernher Activity Crisis," as it had taken hold almost immediately after his inauguration in July. Several Delverans expressed frustration with the crisis, blaming the administration and discussing all manner of solutions, including a military coup d’état, though this was mostly in jest. The subsequent period of renewal and growth was called the "Wernher Spring." Later, the "Wernher" moniker was dropped as all Delverans moved away from pseudonyms and it was determined to be unfair to levy the full blame for the crisis on the consul. With the onset of the Hyperactivity Crisis, there was again discussion among high-ranking Delverans of several possible solutions, and again open talk of a military coup against Pemberton for his perceived ineffectiveness and ignorance in the face of the impending disaster. Though the idea was more seriously considered this time, it was ultimately discarded in favor of impeachment and reform for the sake of continuing legitimacy in governance.