THE CONSTITUTION STUDY

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Names carry weight, shaping how we see war, rights, and even free speech. From Trump's push to rename the Department of Defense to Durham's Fourth Amendment claim and censorship abroad, the struggle over words reveals hidden power. What we call things influences law, culture, and trust—reminding us that naming is never neutral...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn published the essay “Live Not by Lies.” In this essay, Solzhenitsyn encouraged people not to cooperate with the regime's lies. I think that is good advice for Americans today. The world is full of lies. Some of those lies are serious, others may be used to protect the feelings of others. However, all of those lives come with a...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – An oligarchy is a political system ruled by a few. Contrary to popular belief, legally, the US is a republic, not a democracy. However, more and more we are being governed not by Congress, but by a small group in black robes known as federal judges. If the elected branches of government cannot do anything unless the courts approve, then we are no...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – We move through life with assumptions, but truth seekers test them against facts. Politicians, media, and experts often shape narratives while ignoring contradictions. From vaccine debates to corruption claims, the challenge remains: will we let evidence reshape our beliefs, or stay bound by bias? Freedom begins when truth outweighs comfortable opinions...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Law enforcement is meant to uphold the law, yet it increasingly serves political agendas and personal gain. From federal overreach in cities to the use of the National Guard against protests, and disputes over immigration policies, power is tested. Citizens face pressing questions when justice itself risks becoming a tool for influence rather than fairness...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Leaders in Washington repeat the same mistakes, expecting different results. Congress pushes the 25th Amendment and shutdown threats, while the president claims powers over state elections. Courts weigh battles against religious freedom, and schools hide falling standards. The cycle of political insanity continues as voters keep empowering those who fuel dysfunction and decline...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Most people I know are offering thoughts and prayers for those impacted by the Minneapolis shooting. While some dismiss prayer as useless, I believe it matters. We can learn from tragedy about protecting the vulnerable, addressing mental health, and recognizing true responsibility. Prayer changes me, and through that change, I help change the world...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Does the First Amendment protect a “media outlet” from being investigated for a crime? Does the President's power over the District of Columbia extend to other cities? What about his executive orders? Can they criminalize certain activities? What happens when police powers are taken too far and infringe on individual rights?

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Justice delayed raises tough questions. FBI whistleblowers win settlements after years of lost rights, while the CDC only now examines COVID-19 vaccines. Washington, D.C. struggles with crime despite heightened security. These late responses show action eventually comes, but is it enough? The call remains clear: society must demand swifter accountability and protection of rights...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – History doesn't repeat, it rhymes. From the government's stake in Intel to an executive order banning flag burning, echoes of past mistakes appear again. Is this investment in America's future, or a step toward communism? Does free expression still stand strong, or is censorship creeping closer? The present raises familiar and troubling questions...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – The rule of law faces deep challenges as raids, investigations, and judicial actions raise questions of fairness and accountability. From John Bolton to the Clinton Foundation, political motivations and cover-ups blur justice. With courts and leaders shaping outcomes, the concern grows: how far has the loss spread, and what can citizens do to restore trust?

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Beliefs often feel certain, yet many crumble under scrutiny. From COVID safety claims to viral TikTok behavior and misleading headlines, what people “know” can prove false. Decisions built on misinformation lead to serious consequences. It's not ignorance but misplaced certainty that causes the deepest harm, reminding us truth demands evidence, not assumption or hearsay...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Politics pushes past medicine as COVID-19, Biden's decline, VA hospital shortages, and Illinois' stance on masculinity show. Science and care fall to agendas, leaving veterans, families, and citizens with neglect. True healthcare means doctors and facilities serve people, not bureaucracy. Without health, nothing else matters—and it's up to us to demand real care...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Conor Fitzpatrick joins FIRE from Detroit with deep experience in state and federal litigation. He champions the First Amendment through pro bono cases for the incarcerated, securing victories that protect free expression. Recognized with the Richard J. Seryak Award, he brings a record of defending civil liberties while also enjoying reading, running, sushi, and Detroit sports...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Firearms spark debate, yet the right to bear arms remains central to freedom. From protecting families against violence to resisting government overreach, the Second Amendment embodies self-defense and independence. Echoing Madison and Webster, the message is clear: disarming citizens risks tyranny. To remain free, the people must safeguard their natural right to defend...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – America's republic stands apart from pure democracy, as the Founders recognize its dangers and establish a constitutional system to protect liberty. Hamilton warns against extremes, emphasizing balance. Yet today, political actors exploit elections, voting methods, and media influence to secure power. The question remains: are We the People resilient enough to safeguard our republic...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Crime shapes daily life, from city streets to the nation's capital. Questions rise about gun-free zones, delayed firearm access, and the reliability of crime statistics. Corruption, politics, and enforcement collide as leaders face scrutiny. The real issue is not what officials promise, but how citizens protect themselves when crime and law intersect in America...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – The foundation of any building determines its strength, but the foundation of Washington rests not on stone, but on money and power. Greed drives voters to demand programs and promises, fueling corruption and debt. As agencies grow and the swamp deepens, the true builders of this unstable structure remain We the People...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – The second reason I cheer is because our Founding Fathers recognized not only the failures of democracy, but the dangers they represent. As John Adams wrote: “Democracy… Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.”

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – The debate over gun control intensifies as focus shifts from firearms to those who own them. With the Supreme Court set to hear multiple Second Amendment cases, the outcome could shape gun rights for years. From “gun-free zones” to armed staff in Texas schools, the clash between safety, freedom, and law continues to define America's future...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Crime in Washington, DC sparks President Trump's executive order granting federal control of law enforcement, a move possible due to the District's unique constitutional status. Rooted in Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, this authority highlights the tension between federal power and local governance, while other U.S. cities also struggle with turmoil and disorder...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Bureaucracies grow larger while failing at their core duties. From the Postal Service losing billions in a single quarter to the Department of Transportation mishandling aviation oversight, citizens watch waste and abuse thrive. When leaders push agencies to ignore law and Constitution, the people must recognize violations of their rights and learn how to defend them...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – The love of money and the pursuit of power drive many of today's evils. From political standoffs and union funding to illegal mandates and border crises, leaders prioritize ambition over duty. As corruption spreads, the question remains—will the people demand accountability, or continue to allow those in power to act without consequence?

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – "Failure is not an option" inspires action—but what happens when failure is inevitable? From gun control debates to gerrymandering in Texas, and the persistence of entrenched power, the question remains: is the cause worth the fight, even in defeat? This reflection challenges whether standing firm matters more than the outcome when the odds are stacked...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – America has become a very litigious society. That's probably why we have more lawyers than doctors. But our judicial system is very important. The First Amendment prohibits Congress from depriving us of our right to petition the government for redress of grievances. The most common way people seek redress is by lawsuit...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – I challenge the misuse of the word “democracy” when describing the United States. We are a constitutional republic, yet politicians, judges, and even senators undermine its foundations. From runaway legislators in Texas to federal judges ignoring rulings, I expose these threats and question the corruption, delays, and waste harming our nation's rule of law and stability...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Evil and violence are as much a part of this world as the atmosphere. That's not the way we want it, but it's true. Since we have no real control over the violent actions of others, I think we need to focus on what we can control, how we react to the violence. Do we jump to conclusions or search for more facts? Do we run and hide, pretending evil will never touch us?

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – We all see things we'd like to change. Maybe we see an evil being done, or maybe we think we know a better way. Before we start changing things, we should understand why they are that way in the first place. I remember an old Farmer's Proverb. Before you move a marker, find out why it was there. That's pretty good advice. After all, that marker may show the...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Many of the restrictions found in the Constitution of the United States only apply to public entities, but not all. Take the lawsuit Donald Trump filed against 60 Minutes, CBS News, and their parent company, Paramount. Trump didn't claim that they didn't have the right to edit their interview with then-candidate Kamala Harris, but that they did so interfere with...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – I don't know where some of the crazy ideas I hear people support come from. It seems the ability to think critically, to analyze what we read, even to verify what we hear, is in critical condition today. What can We the People do to stop eating the garbage that's coming out of Washington, D.C., the media, and more and more Americans? We start by verifying, especially our...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – When truth becomes slippery, society suffers. I explore what happens when facts are twisted—whether by AI, the courts, or education policy. From false judicial opinions to historical revisionism and the rise of socialism in local politics, I challenge readers to question what's real, who benefits from the lies, and what's at stake when the truth is ignored...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – This set of medical ethics was also established after WWI in an effort to prevent the horrors of medical experimentation performed in Nazi Germany. The cornerstone of the Nuremberg Code is voluntary and informed consent for the patient. One of the most fundamental rights a person has is the right to their body...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – As reports and documents emerge about past administrations, I question whether we seek the truth or just consequences. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is in the spotlight over the Russia hoax, and it's easy to cheer when political opponents are exposed. But I remind myself: without prioritizing truth, any call for consequences is just revenge...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – The Constitution of the United States created a government with limited and enumerated powers, at least according to the Tenth Amendment. Yet those limits seem to have no effect on government today, regardless of which political party is in power. Does the federal government have the authority to make a de facto national ID, where every state and federal actor has...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Americans face growing challenges in disagreeing without becoming disagreeable. From political violence to families avoiding each other over opposing views, tensions run high. I explore whether debates, lawsuits, and focusing on facts can bridge these divides. Finding common ground seems harder than ever, but honest conversation and respect remain essential for any hope of moving...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – A coup d'état is defined as “The sudden overthrow of a government by a usually small group of persons in or previously in positions of authority.” Recent news events suggest not only that there was an attempted coup in this country, but several of them. DNI Tulsi Gabbard not only accuses former Pres Obama and members of his administration of a coup...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Have you heard the saying, “Who's watching the watchers?” Who is watching those we put in charge? Who's watching those who are supposed to be representing us? Who's watching those who are supposed to be watching others? If your answer is anyone other than you, then we've got a problem. Sure, there are plenty of organizations that investigate...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – When DOGE gets federal contracts canceled, is that just “cutting the fat” or “discontinuing essential services”? When the Department of Education cancels grants to universities, are they following constitutional limitations or destroying education? Does the Constitution mean what it says about the limited and enumerated powers of the United States...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Have you ever considered the full and true cost of government? Not just the monetary cost, which is ridiculously high, but also the other associated costs. The time and effort of complying with unnecessary regulations. The cost to your rights and liberty? What about the cost to our morals? While Donald Trump is trying to shrink the size of the...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the waters of our public discourse, a new crop of conspiracy theories and scandals pop up to devour your joy. Based on recent news articles, that's exactly what seems to have happened. Did Joe Biden “sign” all those pardons? Did the United States help start the COVID pandemic?

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – What many don't seem to notice is how far our society has progressed toward this socialist dystopia. Secrets being kept, opposition attacked, rule for thee but not for me are running rampant in America. A recent article asked an interesting question: “Why So Many Young Americans Fall for Socialism?” I think I have the answer...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – When the Secret Service suspends a group of agents, is that the whole truth about the failures in Butler, PA? What about the IRS's new position on the Johnson Amendment? We shouldn't forget about the truth of instances of antisemitism in higher education and the attempts by some politicians to use it for their own gain.

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – When people shout “No Justice, No Peace,” are they really seeking justice or just revenge? I question whether recent actions by political leaders and officials reflect a true pursuit of justice or a cycle of political retaliation. Join me as I explore the difference between justice and revenge in today's headlines and what it means for our society...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – The Supreme Court may be in recess for three months, but technically, the job never stops. Today, I want to examine some recent work that the Supreme Court has been doing, illustrating just how much courts, rather than representatives, govern our lives. For example, it was the Supreme Court that recently cleared the judicial hurdles to the...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – So much of what people claim as truth just isn't so. I explore how misinformation spreads, using recent examples from public figures like Adam Schiff and AOC. From tariffs to Medicaid and protests, I show how what we “know” can be dangerously wrong. Trust, but verify—and question what passes for common knowledge in today's media landscape...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – The only thing more heartbreaking than the news coming out of the Texas flood is the disgusting politicians dancing on the devastated lives of the survivors for their own political gain. Personally, I think I'd rather have a tick than associate with such twisted and disgusting examples of the worst of humanity. We often make fun of...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Because activism can be in support of good causes, such as freedom and liberty, or for evil causes, like attacking law enforcement, activism can be conducted legally, through peaceful protests, or illegally, through violent demonstrations. Do you have a positive or negative view of activists? Does it depend on the goal of the activism?

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – In this episode of The Constitution Study, I reveal how politics and media use misdirection—just like a shell game—to hide the truth from the American people. From deceptive news reports to political sleight of hand, I explore how these tactics shape public perception and what you can do to see through the distractions and find the real objective...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Modern presidential debates have become more about spectacle than substance. I question policies by asking whether they're constitutionally sound, rather than following party lines or personalities. By debating the actual powers granted to the government, I seek truth and clarity in evaluating issues like border security and federal laws, always prioritizing the Constitution as my guiding...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Like the fact that only two men signed the Declaration on July 4th, 1776. That the lower case “u” in the united States was not an accident. That the Declaration created not one country, but thirteen. And that, while the lofty goal of Thomas Jefferson, the recognition that all men are created equal, has not yet been reached, it is more widespread and...

The Constitution Study with Host Paul Engel – Every year, at the end of June, the Supreme Court goes on summer recess. Just before they leave, they like to drop their most important and controversial decisions on the American people. This year is not different. For example, can District Court Justices issue nationwide injunctions? Can parents demand the opportunity to opt their children out of certain public school content?