POPULARITY
Categories
224 episodes with National Constitution Center
163 episodes with National Constitution Center
174 episodes with National Constitution Center
29 episodes with National Constitution Center
7 episodes with National Constitution Center
8 episodes with National Constitution Center
5 episodes with National Constitution Center
7 episodes with National Constitution Center
4 episodes with National Constitution Center
This episode is a two-part show on Alexander Hamilton. First, in a new episode of the podcast Pursuit: The Founders' Guide to Happiness, Jeffrey Rosen, historian Stephen Knott, and filmmaker Ken Burns unpack Hamilton's life and legacy to see what lessons he can teach us about restraint. Then, Jeffrey Rosen and acclaimed historian and biographer Ron Chernow further explore the meteoric rise, inspiring life, and tragic death of Hamilton in a conversation from the NCC's 2025 Liberty Medal Ceremony. Resources Pursuit: The Founders' Guide to Happiness Ron Chernow, Alexander Hamilton (2005) Jeffrey Rosen, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America (2025) The National Constitution Center's 37th annual Liberty Medal Pursuit of Happiness, Song Cycles by Jeffrey Rosen,CSPAN Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube Support our important work: Donate
Perhaps the greatest intellectual contest in our country's history pitted Alexander Hamilton against Thomas Jefferson—with the winner still yet to be decided. On this week's “Leaders and Legends” podcast, we interview Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, and author of “The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton offered two contrasting visions of what America should be and how the Constitution applies to it. Jeffrey Rosen is a legal scholar and the President of the National Constitution Center. He's the author “The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle over Power in America."
Jeffrey Rosen launched his new book, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America, at the National Constitution Center in conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic. The book explores how the opposing constitutional visions of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton have defined the nation since its founding, shaped presidents from Washington to Trump, and continued to drive today's debates over government power. This program was recorded live in Philadelphia on October 21, 2025, and presented in partnership with The Atlantic and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History Resources Jeffrey Rosen, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America, (2025) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube Support our important work: Donate
The President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, Jeffrey Rosen, joins us for a timely discussion of his new book, The Pursuit of Liberty. The relevance to today's dilemmas is matched only by the fascination of the deep historical analysis and amazing characters the book unearths. In the differences that separated Hamilton and Jefferson, Professor Rosen finds the genesis of a divide that he maintains has informed most if not all of American constitutional history. Centralized power versus states' rights; industrial centers vs rural life; a robust protest culture vs governmental support, and more. We are honored to celebrate publication (today!) of this important book with its distinguished author. CLE credit is available for lawyers and judges from podcast.njsba.com.
National Constitution Center President & CEO Jeffrey Rosen returns to the show to discuss his new book The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America, and the ways that the contrasting visions of the founders live on in our political debates today. Make sure to check out the National Constitution Center's website for links to the Interactive Constitution and the many excellent resources they offer for free. If you enjoyed this episode, you can hear more from Jeffery Rosen in episode 295 (The Pursuit of Happiness) and episode 211 (The Constitution). This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.
In this episode, William Banks of Syracuse University College of Law and Laura Dickinson of the George Washington Law School join to discuss the history and meaning of the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the president to deploy the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement purposes. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Illinois v. Trump (N.D. Illinois, 2025) United States v. Cruikshank (1875) Martin v. Mott (1827) William Banks and Stephen Dycus, Soldiers on the Home Front: The Domestic Role of the American Military (2016) William Banks, “Providing ‘Supplemental Security' – The Insurrection Act and the Military Role in Responding to Domestic Crises,” Journal of National Security Law & Policy (12/15/2009) Laura Dickinson, “Protecting the U.S. National Security State from a Rogue President,” Harvard National Security Journal (1/9/2025) Laura Dickinson, “How the Insurrection Act (Properly Understood) Limits Domestic Deployments of the U.S. Military,” Lawfare (9/12/2024) In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders' to Guide to Happiness Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders' lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. Listen to episodes of Pursuit on Apple Podcast and Spotify. Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube Support our important work: Donate
Show #2518 Show Notes: James 2:13 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%202%3A13&version=KJV Amos 5:24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=amos%205%3A24&version=KJV Psalm 7:11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%207%3A11&version=KJV John Birch Society: https://jbs.org/ Convention of States: https://conventionofstates.com/ National Constitution Center: https://constitutioncenter.org/about First Amendment: https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment John Solomon: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1378060830346289&set=a.413423093476739
In this episode, Stephanie Barclay of the Georgetown University Law Center and Erwin Chemerinsky of the UC Berkeley School of Law join to recap the oral arguments from Chiles v. Salazar and discuss whether Colorado's ban on conversion therapy violates the First Amendment. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources United States v. Skrmetti (2025) Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025) NIFLA v. Becerra (2018) Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California (Cal. 1976) Stephanie Barclay et al., “Brief amici curiae of First Amendment Scholars,” Chiles v. Salazar (6/13/2025) Erwin Chemerinsky et al., “Brief amici curiae of Constitutional Law Scholars,” Chiles v. Salazar (8/26/2025) Cass Report (2024) In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders' to Guide to Happiness Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders' lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. Listen to episodes of Pursuit on Apple Podcast and Spotify. Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube Support our important work: Donate
In this episode, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner discusses Our Fragile Freedoms, a new collection of essays exploring a range of topics, including debates over slavery and antislavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Jim Crow and the battle to dismantle it, and modern debates over the Constitution and how to teach American history. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Eric Foner, Our Fragile Freedoms(2025) Eric Foner, The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution (2019) Eric Foner, The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery (2010) Eric Foner, Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877 (1988) Richard Hofstadter, Anti-Intellectualism in American Life (1963) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at programs@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr Explore theAmerica at 250 Civic Toolkit Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube Support our important work Donate
Michael Norris, Executive Director of Carpenters' Hall and The Carpenters Company of the City and County of Philadelphia discussed the well-known, but little understood, “Birthplace of Liberty”, Carpenters' Hall. Designed by Robert Smith and built by the Carpenter gild as a showcase of their skill and an apprenticeship for young builders, the building hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774 and was home to Franklin's Library Company, The American Philosophical Society, and the First and Second Banks of the United States. He related the history of Benjamin Franklin's secret meetings there with French spy, Julien-Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir, which laid the foundation for French support of the American Revolution. Carpenters' Hall has declared 2025 the “YEAR OF THE SPY” in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of these clandestine evenings. Activities for the celebration include a spy book club with the Rosenbach, programming with the Museum of the American Revolution's Revolutionary Philadelphia: 1775 events, a film screening, and a members-only event.Carpenters' Hall is free to the public and welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually. Its library is available to members and architectural scholars, and they continue to support the building and design trades with lectures and professional events. They also offer the Robert Smith Memorial Scholarship to recognize promising student in the historic building trades. https://www.carpentershall.org/robertsmithscholarship He discussed the Young People's Continental Congress, a National Partner Program of America250, an educational program that allows students and teachers to work in teams as they collaboratively study America's founding era and its implications today. Last year 54 students and teachers from 27 states attended, enjoying dinner with elected officials at City Hall and a Fife & Drum-led parade to an opening ceremony, field learning opportunities at historic Philly sites like Carpenters' Hall, Independence National Historical Park, the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution, and an opportunity to co-create and sign a joint Declaration of Aspirations for American democracy. He hopes to expand it in 2026 to include more Philadelphia school participation. Michael invites us to attend one of their public programs, After-Hours Whisky Tours in the rarely-seen second floor 19th-century library and their Holiday Tea, ‘hosted' by Dolley Todd Madison, former Philadelphia resident and neighbor of Carpenters' Hall, wife of President James Madison, and one of the most prominent women in U.S. history. To book your reservation go to carpentershall.org/events. Teas will be held Sundays from November 30 to December 21.For more information on Carpenters' Hall and The Carpenters' Company go to carpentershall.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It is an honor and a privilege to welcome Jane Eisner to The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast. In 1980, Jane joined The Philadelphia Inquirer. For 25 years, she held various positions at the outlet, including editorial page editor, syndicated columnist, City Hall bureau chief, and foreign correspondent. From 2006 to 2008, she served as the vice president of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. In 2008, Jane Eisner joined The Forward as editor-in-chief, the first woman to hold the position at America's foremost national Jewish news organization. The publication dramatically expanded its digital reach, becoming the authoritative source of news, opinion, arts, and culture in the Jewish world. The publication won numerous regional and national awards, and her editorials were repeatedly honored by the Society of Professional Journalists and other media organizations. She is known for her interviews with notable figures, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After leaving The Forward, she served as the director of academic affairs at the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, overseeing the Master of Arts program, and was an adjunct professor at the J School. Jane is also a contributor to The Washington Post's Book World and wrote for Columbia Journalism Review, The New York Times, The Atlantic, AARP Magazine, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, TIME, The Jewish Chronicle, and other major news outlets. She also leads her expertise as a consultant to newsrooms, synagogues, and nonprofit organizations. On September 16, 2025, Jane released Carole King: She Made the Earth Move. Her book is the first biography of the iconic singer-songwriter. Drawing on numerous interviews as well as historical and contemporary sources, She Made the Earth Move brings to life King's professional accomplishments, her personal challenges, and her lasting contributions to the great American songbook. On this episode of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Jane Eisner spoke about her work on The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Forward, interviewing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the lessons she learned about Carole King throughout the process.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
Vince Stango, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Constitution Center discussed the private, nonprofit organization, which serves as our country's leading platform for constitutional education and debate. We talked about visiting the museum; it starts with a 15-minute performance piece, We The People, winds through interactive programs and exhibits and concludes in the Signer's Gallery, surrounded by life-size sculptures of the delegate. Mr. Stango gave details about the October 17th 2025 Liberty Medal, this year honoring Hamilton, the musical, and Ron Chernow, the biographer who inspired the musical. We discussed two new exhibits for 2026, a display of a rare copy of the Constitution opening Presidents Day Weekend, and another opening in May 2026 about the separation of powers and federalism.To help everyone celebrate 2026, the National Constitution Center is offering new educational resources, the Interactive Declaration of Independence and the America at 250 Civic Toolkit with ways to study and celebrate the Constitution during the country's Semiquincentennial. Find it at www.constitutioncenter.org/America-at-250Vince, along with his co-chair Amy Needle, is also completing celebrations centered in the old city Historic District, the Red, White, and Blue To-Do parade and street festival July 2, and the 52 Weeks of Firsts which showcases innovations, inventions, and other “firsts” that began in Philadelphia at sites around the city.To learn more about the National Constitution Center visit constitutioncenter.orgSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, Steve Vladeck of the Georgetown University Law Center and Sarah Isgur of SCOTUSblog join to discuss the legacy of the Roberts Court on its 20th anniversary and preview the important cases in the Supreme Court's upcoming term, which begins on Monday, October 6. The National Constitution Center's Griffin Richie guest hosts. Resources Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump Trump v. Slaughter Sarah Isgur and David French, Advisory Opinions Steve Vladeck, “The Roberts Court Turns Twenty,” One First (9/29/2025) Steve Vladeck, The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic (5/16/2023) Caleb Nelson, “Special Feature: Must Administrative Officers Serve at the President's Pleasure?,” Democracy Project (9/29/2025) Joseph Copeland, “Favorable views of Supreme Court remain near historic low,” Pew Research (9/3/2025) Brett M. Kavanaugh, “Separation of Powers During the Forty-Fourth Presidency and Beyond,” Minnesota Law Review (2009) In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders' to Guide to Happiness Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders' lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection. Listen to episodes of Pursuit on Apple Podcast and Spotify. Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube Support our important work: Donate
EPISODE SUMMARY: Steven Portnoy is a national correspondent for ABC News Radio. He has covered Congress and the White House and served as president of the White House Correspondents' Association. He shares his journey to becoming an iconic storyteller and receiving the 2025 Excellence in Broadcast Preservation Award by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation.On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Steven Portnoy about:His young life in South Brunswick, NJ, and the news legends who inspired himHis involvement in college radio at Syracuse University, then landing roles at local TV and radio stationsReporting on major events including 9/11, the war in Afghanistan, and Hurricane KatrinaGetting selected for the prestigious ABC News White House Internship and moving to D.C.Working his way to network news and becoming a credentialed White House correspondent and a brief history of White House press coverageHow he became president of the White House Correspondents' Association while covering the Trump and Biden presidencies for CBS, and why he decided to return to ABCWinning an Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of Osama Bin Laden's deathHis greatest stories from Air Force One and beyondBeing selected for the LABF's Excellence in Broadcast Preservation Award and the importance of preserving broadcast materialsAdvice to aspiring journalists and the necessity of working across platformsAnd more!ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST: With more than two decades of experience reporting from Washington, Steven Portnoy is one of America's preeminent audio storytellers. From every major dateline in D.C., he has brought listeners to presidential inaugurals, congressional debates, State of the Union addresses and Supreme Court oral arguments. A past president of the White House Correspondents' Association, Portnoy spent seven years covering the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations from the second row of the White House briefing room. Portnoy returned to ABC News — where he began his career – in 2023 after more than eight years at CBS News, where he served as a congressional correspondent before reporting from the White House.At CBS, Portnoy was part of the team that broke the news of the prisoner swap that resulted in Brittney Griner's safe return. He also covered the criminal trials involving former President Trump. In the spring of 2023, Portnoy reported extensively on the murder of a legendary broadcaster for the three-hour network CBS radio documentary,“Who Killed George Polk?” Portnoy has vast experience covering national politics, having reported for ABC through the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections and for CBS in 2016 and 2020. His reporting has won both networks Edward R. Murrow awards for breaking news, continuing coverage and overall excellence. Portnoy is an accomplished live broadcaster. He was on the air for more than eight hours on January 6th, anchoring CBS News Radio's award-winning live coverage of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He served as CBS News Radio's election night anchor in 2020. He anchored ABC Radio's coverage of the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011.Steven Portnoy first joined ABC in 2002, as an intern for the White House unit of World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. A year later, he joined ABC-owned station WMAL-AM in Washington, where he reported on local news. In 2006, Portnoy joined ABC News as a correspondent.In 2008, Portnoy was named a Peter Jennings Fellow by the National Constitution Center. He was honored with the Bayliss Horizon Award by the John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation in 2005 and took first place in the radio competition at the Hearst Broadcast News Championships in 2001.While he was a student at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Portnoy produced television newscasts at WIXT-TV (now WSYR-TV) and WSTM-TV and reported for WSYR-AM.He lives in Washington with his husband, Ryan.ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio industry.PEOPLE MENTIONED:Doug LimerickAnne ComptonVic RatnerPeter MayerMark KnollerHarley CarnesDeborah RodriguezPaul HarveyPeter JenningsHoward SternJonathan WolfertJohn BascomBettina GregoryDavid MuirJeff GlorJerry FalwellTara HowardAaron KuturskyEd BlissWalter CronkiteEd MurrowMervyn BlockElizabeth VargasVija UdenansRobin SproulJohn MatthewsChris BerryWayne CabotChris QuimbyScott HermanSteve JonesRick DeesPam CoulterJohn Charles DaleyHarvey NaglerMark KnollerGwen IfillLesley VisserDavid MuirDavid GleasonGeorge PolkEd BradleyCraig SwaglerMatt ShearerABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America's Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 23 libraries across 14 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown's Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. Benztown provides custom VO and imaging across all formats, including commercial VO and copywriting in partnership with Yamanair Creative. Benztown Radio Networks produces, markets, and distributes high-quality programming and services to radio stations around the world, including: The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown, The Todd-N-Tyler Radio Empire, Hot Mix, Sunday Night Slow Jams with R Dub!, Flashback, Top 10 Now & Then, Hey, Morton, StudioTexter, The Rooster Show Prep, and AmeriCountry. Benztown + McVay Media Podcast Networks produces and markets premium podcasts including: IEX: Boxes and Lines and Molecular Moments.Web: benztown.comFacebook: facebook.com/benztownradioTwitter: @benztownradioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/benztownInstagram: instagram.com/benztownradio Enjoyed this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody? Let us know by leaving a review!
The Washington Roundtable speaks with Jeffrey Rosen, the president and C.E.O. of the National Constitution Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit, about how America's founders tried to tyrant-proof their constitutional system, how Donald Trump's whim-based decision-making resembles that of the dictator Julius Caesar, and what we can learn from the fall of the Roman Republic. Plus, how the Supreme Court is responding to the Trump Administration's broad claims of executive power. Rosen, a professor at George Washington University Law School, hosts the “We the People” podcast and is the author of “The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America.” This episode originally aired on March 7th, 2025 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
In this episode, Sabrina Lynn Motley, director of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, discuss how their institutions are celebrating America's 250th birthday. This conversation took place at Chautauqua Institution 2025 Summer Assembly. Resources Jeff Rosen, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton and Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America Chautauqua Institution, Sabrina Lynn Motley and Jeffrey Rosen National Constitution Center, America's Town Hall Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
"American History Hotline" is a new weekly series that will follow host and history enthusiast Bob Crawford as he searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history - from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds.The first two episodes will dive into some of the most fascinating and timely aspects of American history and government. Episode 1, "Dead on the 4th of July," explores the true story of Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both dying on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Historian Lindsay Chervinsky unpacks this uncanny coincidence, along with other surprising tales of patriotic deaths linked to Independence Day. Episode 2, "Does the Constitution Prevent a Dictator," features Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, who explains how the U.S. Constitution is designed to protect our country from being taken over by a power-hungry dictator and how much of our federal government is based on political norms and precedents that are vulnerable to the whims of the masses.Episodes available here:Https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-american-history-hotline-273590600/
"American History Hotline" is a new weekly series that will follow host and history enthusiast Bob Crawford as he searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history - from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds.The first two episodes will dive into some of the most fascinating and timely aspects of American history and government. Episode 1, "Dead on the 4th of July," explores the true story of Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both dying on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Historian Lindsay Chervinsky unpacks this uncanny coincidence, along with other surprising tales of patriotic deaths linked to Independence Day. Episode 2, "Does the Constitution Prevent a Dictator," features Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, who explains how the U.S. Constitution is designed to protect our country from being taken over by a power-hungry dictator and how much of our federal government is based on political norms and precedents that are vulnerable to the whims of the masses.Episodes available here:Https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-american-history-hotline-273590600/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.
The 37th annual Liberty Medal ceremony is set to shine a spotlight on the transformative power of storytelling and civic engagement this October. The National Constitution Center will honor the cast of Hamilton and acclaimed biographer Ron Chernow, whose work inspired the hit Broadway musical, during a live event in Philadelphia on October 17. “The purpose of the Liberty Medal is to recognize men and women of courage and conviction who have defended the blessings of liberty across the globe,” said Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center. “It’s gone to inspiring people over the years—from the Dalai Lama and Malala Yousafzai to Vladimir Zelensky and Mikhail Gorbachev.” This year’s award celebrates Hamilton’s 10th anniversary and its impact on public understanding of American history.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This edWeb podcast is part of a series of WebBriefs hosted by The Alliance of Former Chief State School Officers.The meeting recording can be accessed here.The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America's leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.”As the museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America's town hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a headquarters for civic education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution.Learn more about viewing live edWeb presentations and on-demand recordings, earning CE certificates, and using accessibility features.
"American History Hotline" is a new weekly series that will follow host and history enthusiast Bob Crawford as he searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history - from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds.The first two episodes will dive into some of the most fascinating and timely aspects of American history and government. Episode 1, "Dead on the 4th of July," explores the true story of Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both dying on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Historian Lindsay Chervinsky unpacks this uncanny coincidence, along with other surprising tales of patriotic deaths linked to Independence Day. Episode 2, "Does the Constitution Prevent a Dictator," features Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, who explains how the U.S. Constitution is designed to protect our country from being taken over by a power-hungry dictator and how much of our federal government is based on political norms and precedents that are vulnerable to the whims of the masses.Episodes available here:Https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-american-history-hotline-273590600/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
The National Constitution Center and the Center on the Structural Constitution at Texas A&M University School of Law present a U.S. Supreme Court review symposium featuring leading constitutional law scholars and commentators analyzing the Court's most significant rulings of the term. Panel 2: The Roberts Court and Executive PowerStephen Vladeck, Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Federal Courts, Georgetown University Law CenterDaniel Walters, associate professor of law, Texas A&M University School of LawKeith Whittington, David Boies Professor of Law, Yale Law SchoolModerator: Neil Siegel, David W. Ichel Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science, Duke Law School Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
The National Constitution Center and the Center on the Structural Constitution at Texas A&M University School of Law present a U.S. Supreme Court review symposium featuring leading constitutional law scholars and commentators analyzing the Court's most significant rulings of the term. Panel 1: Supreme Court Term Review Jonathan Adler, Tazewell Taylor Professor of Law, William & Mary Law SchoolDaniel Epps, professor of law, Washington University School of LawSarah Isgur, editor, SCOTUSblog; legal analyst, ABC NewsFrederick Lawrence, distinguished lecturer, Georgetown University Law CenterModerator: Katherine Mims Crocker, professor of law, Texas A&M University School of Law Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
The National Constitution Center and the Center on the Structural Constitution at Texas A&M University School of Law present a U.S. Supreme Court review symposium featuring leading constitutional law scholars and commentators analyzing the Court's most significant rulings of the term. Panel 3: Covering the CourtJess Bravin, Supreme Court Correspondent, The Wall Street JournalJan Crawford, chief legal correspondent, CBS NewsFred Smith Jr., professor of law, Stanford Law SchoolModerator: Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO, National Constitution Center Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
It's no secret that the American Founding Fathers were deeply inspired by the Classics. The words of the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers suffuse the original documents and ideas that built America.Today Anya is joined by Jeffery Rosen to talk about how ancient ideas of virtue inspired these pivotal figures in American history.Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/Right now at Classical Wisdom, we're celebrating the 4th of July holiday with a special Founding Members deal: Founding Members can now receive our stunning 644 page hardback anthology, The Essential Classics, collecting the greatest ancient works in one beautiful new edition.Founding Members can read and be inspired by the very texts that moved and motivated the Founding Fathers. And to commemorate the occasion, you can now become a Founding Member for $50 OFF.So, take advantage of our special Founding Fathers, Founding Members Sale before this Monday to enjoy $50 off and to receive your own hardback Essential Classics anthology… Also, there is free shipping to anywhere in the world!Click here to become a Founding Member: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe***Important: The Essential Classics hardback is NOT available for the regular annual or monthly memberships. It is ONLY for Founding Members.***Jeffery Rosen is an American legal scholar who serves as the president and CEO of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. He has written frequently about the U.S. Supreme Court and is author of several books, including his most recent: The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America.
Note: This is a rebroadcast.A lot of self-improvement advice and content feels empty. And there's a reason for that. It often offers routines and habits to practice, but doesn't offer a strong, overarching reason to practice them.That's why the self-improvement advice of the Founding Fathers is particularly compelling. Though they were imperfect men, they had a clear why for trying to become better than they were. For the Founders, life was about the pursuit of happiness, and they equated happiness with excellence and virtue — a state that wasn't about feeling good, but being good. The Founders pursued happiness not only for the personal benefit in satisfaction and tranquility it conferred, but for the way the attainment of virtue would benefit society as a whole; they believed that political self-government required personal self-government.Today on the show, Jeffrey Rosen, a professor of law, the president of the National Constitution Center, and the author of The Pursuit of Happiness, shares the book the Founders read that particularly influenced their idea of happiness as virtue and self-mastery. We talk about the schedules and routines the Founders kept, the self-examination practices they did to improve their character, and how they worked on their flaws, believing that, while moral perfection was ultimately an impossible goal to obtain, it was still something worth striving for.Resources Related to the PodcastAoM's series on Benjamin Franklin's 13 VirtuesBen Franklin Virtues Journal available in the AoM StoreAoM Article: Young Benjamin Franklin's Plan of ConductAoM Article: Thomas Jefferson's 10 Rules for LifeAoM Article: The Libraries of Famous Men — Thomas Jefferson's Recommended ReadingAoM Article: The Best John Adams QuotesAoM Article: George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and ConversationAoM Podcast #366: Teach Yourself Like George WashingtonAoM Article: The Spiritual Disciplines — Study and Self-ExaminationTusculan Disputations by Marcus Tullius CiceroThe Golden Verses of Pythagoras Connect With Jeffrey RosenThe National Constitution Center website We the People podcastJeffrey's faculty pageJeffrey on X
In celebration of Juneteenth, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian David Levering Lewis, author of the definitive two-volume biography of W.E.B. Du Bois, explores Du Bois' life, legacy, and enduring impact on American history, while also discussing his own new memoir, The Stained Glass Window. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources David Levering Lewis, The Stained Glass Window: A Family History as the American Story, 1790–1958, (2025) David Levering Lewis, W.E.B. Du Bois: A Biography 1868–1963, (2009) American Historical Association, “W.E.B. Du Bois (1868–1963): Historian, Sociologist, Editor, Activist,” Perspectives on History, (2023) W.E.B. Du Bois, The Talented Tenth, (1903) W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk: Centennial Edition, (2003) W.E.B. Du Bois, Black Reconstruction in America: An Essay Toward a History of the Part Which Black Folk Played in the Attempt to Reconstruct Democracy in America, 1860–1880, (2014) W.E.B. Du Bois and Guy B. Johnson, Encyclopedia of the Negro: Preparatory Volume with Reference Lists and Reports, (1940) David Levering Lewis, W.E.B. Du Bois: The Fight for Equality and the American Century, 1919–1963, Read by Courtney B. Vance, (2001) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
Legal scholars Gillian Metzger of Columbia Law School and Saikrishna Prakash of the University of Virginia School of Law examine the founders' vision for the presidency, how presidential power has changed over time, and the key constitutional debates that have shaped the modern presidency. The discussion explores how the Trump presidency fits within this historical context and what it means for the future of presidential power. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Federalist No. 70 Myers v. United States (1926) Trump v. United States (2024) Saikrishna Prakash, The Living Presidency: An Originalist Argument Against Its Ever-Expanding Powers, (2020) Saikrishna Prakash, Imperial from the Beginning: The Constitution of the Original Executive, (2015) Gillian Metzger, “Disqualification, Immunity, and the Presidency,” Harvard Law Review, Vol. 138 (April 1, 2025) Michel Martin, “Political scientists alarmed by Trump's disregard for checks on the executive branch,” NPR (Feb. 3, 2025) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
How is the Constitution interpreted today? Zachary and Emma speak with Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center and host of its “We the People” podcast. Jeffrey is also a law professor at George Washington University and author of the upcoming book “The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America.” They discuss the public's perception of the Supreme Court and its interpretation of the Constitution, a historical look at imperial presidencies, and predictions on how the Supreme Court might rule on President Trump's executive orders and emergency powers. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate. For transcripts, to join the newsletter, and for more information, visit: theprogressnetwork.org Watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theprogressnetwork And follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @progressntwrk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the sixty-second episode of the Constitutionalist, Ben, Shane, and Matthew discuss the Mayflower Compact, and its implications for American political life as one of the nation's earliest constitutional compacts. We want to hear from you! Constitutionalistpod@gmail.com The Constitutionalist is proud to be sponsored by the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles and History. For the last twenty years, JMC has been working to preserve and promote that tradition through a variety of programs at the college and K-12 levels. Through their American Political Tradition Project, JMC has partnered with more than 1,000 scholars at over 300 college campuses across the country, especially through their annual Summer Institutes for graduate students and recent PhDs. The Jack Miller Center is also working with thousands of K-12 educators across the country to help them better understand America's founding principles and history and teach them effectively, to better educate the next generation of citizens. JMC has provided thousands of hours of professional development for teachers all over the country, reaching millions of students with improved civic learning. If you care about American education and civic responsibility, you'll want to check out their work, which focuses on reorienting our institutions of learning around America's founding principles. To learn more or get involved, visit jackmillercenter.org. The Constitutionalist is a podcast co-hosted by Professor Benjamin Kleinerman, the RW Morrison Professor of Political Science at Baylor University and Founder and Editor of The Constitutionalist Blog, Shane Leary, a graduate student at Baylor University, and Dr. Matthew Reising, a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University. Each week, they discuss political news in light of its constitutional implications, and explore a unique constitutional topic, ranging from the thoughts and experiences of America's founders and statesmen, historical episodes, and the broader philosophic ideas that influence the American experiment in government.
To mark our 100th episode and launch of Season 9, Jim Baer sits down with Jeffrey Rosen—President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, host of We the People, and author of The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America. In this rich and timely conversation, Rosen explores how ancient moral philosophy shaped the Founders' vision of happiness—not as pleasure, but as virtue. Together, we examine how this wisdom can help us navigate today's polarized world, restore purpose to leadership, and reconnect with practices of self-mastery, deep reading, and spiritual discipline. Rosen also shares his personal journey, the impact of Stoic philosophy, and his unexpected path into songwriting. A profound and inspiring dialogue for anyone seeking meaning, clarity, and civic renewal.
In celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, authors Richard Kreitner (Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery) and Shari Rabin (The Jewish South: An American History) discuss their new books on the broader Jewish experience from the Revolutionary era to the Civil War, how American Jews reckoned with slavery, Jewish participation in the Civil War, and some of the key American Jews who helped shape this tumultuous era. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This program is presented in partnership with the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History and in celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month. Resources Richard Kreitner, Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery, (2025) Shari Rabin, The Jewish South: An American History, (2025) Jonas Phillips, "Letter to George Washington," (Sept. 7, 1787) George Washington, "Letter to the Savannah, Ga., Hebrew Congregation," (June 14, 1790) George Washington, "Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island," (Aug. 18, 1790) August Bondi, Autobiography of August Bondi (1833-1907), (1910) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
On the sixty-first episode, Shane and Ben are joined by Joseph Natali, a Ph.D. student at Baylor University dissertating on the constitutionalism of bureaucracy and how Presidents succeed or fail in exercising control over the executive branch. We want to hear from you! Constitutionalistpod@gmail.com The Constitutionalist is proud to be sponsored by the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles and History. For the last twenty years, JMC has been working to preserve and promote that tradition through a variety of programs at the college and K-12 levels. Through their American Political Tradition Project, JMC has partnered with more than 1,000 scholars at over 300 college campuses across the country, especially through their annual Summer Institutes for graduate students and recent PhDs. The Jack Miller Center is also working with thousands of K-12 educators across the country to help them better understand America's founding principles and history and teach them effectively, to better educate the next generation of citizens. JMC has provided thousands of hours of professional development for teachers all over the country, reaching millions of students with improved civic learning. If you care about American education and civic responsibility, you'll want to check out their work, which focuses on reorienting our institutions of learning around America's founding principles. To learn more or get involved, visit jackmillercenter.org. The Constitutionalist is a podcast cohosted by Professor Benjamin Kleinerman, the RW Morrison Professor of Political Science at Baylor University and Founder and Editor of The Constitutionalist Blog, Shane Leary, a graduate student at Baylor University, and Dr. Matthew K. Reising, a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University. Each week, they discuss political news in light of its constitutional implications, and explore a unique constitutional topic, ranging from the thoughts and experiences of America's founders and statesmen, historical episodes, and the broader philosophic ideas that influence the American experiment in government.
On the sixtieth episode, Matthew and Ben are joined by Shilo Brooks, Executive Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, to discuss his immensely popular course "The Art of Statesmanship and the Political Life." We want to hear from you! Constitutionalistpod@gmail.com The Constitutionalist is proud to be sponsored by the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles and History. For the last twenty years, JMC has been working to preserve and promote that tradition through a variety of programs at the college and K-12 levels. Through their American Political Tradition Project, JMC has partnered with more than 1,000 scholars at over 300 college campuses across the country, especially through their annual Summer Institutes for graduate students and recent PhDs. The Jack Miller Center is also working with thousands of K-12 educators across the country to help them better understand America's founding principles and history and teach them effectively, to better educate the next generation of citizens. JMC has provided thousands of hours of professional development for teachers all over the country, reaching millions of students with improved civic learning. If you care about American education and civic responsibility, you'll want to check out their work, which focuses on reorienting our institutions of learning around America's founding principles. To learn more or get involved, visit jackmillercenter.org. The Constitutionalist is a podcast cohosted by Professor Benjamin Kleinerman, the RW Morrison Professor of Political Science at Baylor University and Founder and Editor of The Constitutionalist Blog, Shane Leary, a graduate student at Baylor University, and Dr. Matthew K. Reising, a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University. Each week, they discuss political news in light of its constitutional implications, and explore a unique constitutional topic, ranging from the thoughts and experiences of America's founders and statesmen, historical episodes, and the broader philosophic ideas that influence the American experiment in government.
The Honorable Stephen G. Breyer, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (ret.) and National Constitution Center honorary co-chair, joins Christiane Taubira, former French justice minister, for a conversation on democracy, the rule of law, and constitutional traditions from French and American perspectives. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Translation is provided by Nicholas Elliott. This program is presented in partnership with Villa Albertine's series, Democracy in an Age of Uncertainty: French and American Perspectives. The series is made possible by the generous support of the Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation. Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
We've heard it before: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But what did the Founders mean by “the pursuit of happiness,” and how do virtue and moral philosophy shape our understanding of this unalienable right? Sharon is joined by Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, to explore these questions, as well as to dive deeper into the history and meaning of the pursuit of life-long virtue. Learn how six of the Framers and Founders – flaws and all – embody different virtues, and consider the importance of electing leaders who will be virtuous and uphold the principles of Democracy. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On the fifty-ninth episode of the Constitutionalist, Ben and Matthew discuss Volume 1, Part 2, Chapter 7 of Alexis De Tocqueville's "Democracy in America" on the omnipotence of the majority. They discuss Tocqueville's warnings of the detrimental effects of democracy on the citizen. We want to hear from you! Constitutionalistpod@gmail.com The Constitutionalist is proud to be sponsored by the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles and History. For the last twenty years, JMC has been working to preserve and promote that tradition through a variety of programs at the college and K-12 levels. Through their American Political Tradition Project, JMC has partnered with more than 1,000 scholars at over 300 college campuses across the country, especially through their annual Summer Institutes for graduate students and recent PhDs. The Jack Miller Center is also working with thousands of K-12 educators across the country to help them better understand America's founding principles and history and teach them effectively, to better educate the next generation of citizens. JMC has provided thousands of hours of professional development for teachers all over the country, reaching millions of students with improved civic learning. If you care about American education and civic responsibility, you'll want to check out their work, which focuses on reorienting our institutions of learning around America's founding principles. To learn more or get involved, visit jackmillercenter.org. The Constitutionalist is a podcast co-hosted by Professor Benjamin Kleinerman, the RW Morrison Professor of Political Science at Baylor University and Founder and Editor of The Constitutionalist Blog, Shane Leary, a graduate student at Baylor University, and Dr. Matthew Reising, a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Princeton University. Each week, they discuss political news in light of its constitutional implications, and explore a unique constitutional topic, ranging from the thoughts and experiences of America's founders and statesmen, historical episodes, and the broader philosophic ideas that influence the American experiment in government.
President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship has reignited debates over the 14th Amendment and the meaning of citizenship in America. Legal experts Gabriel Chin of the University of California, Davis School of Law; Amanda Frost of the University of Virginia School of Law; Kurt Lash of the University of Richmond School of Law; and Ilan Wurman of the University of Minnesota Law School analyze the legal challenges surrounding birthright citizenship, explore the constitutional and historical arguments on all sides of this debate, and discuss its broader implications for immigration. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Trump v. CASA, Inc., United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (2025) Trump v. Washington, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2025) Trump v. New Jersey, United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (2025) Amanda Frost, You Are Not American: Citizenship Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers (2021) Amanda Frost, “The Coming Assault on Birthright Citizenship,” The Atlantic (Jan. 7, 2025) Ilan Wurman and Randy Barnett, “Trump Might Have a Case on Birthright Citizenship,” The New York Times (Feb. 15, 2025) Ilan Wurman, “Jurisdiction and Citizenship,” Minnesota Legal Studies Research Paper No. 25-27 (April 14, 2025) Gabriel “Jack” Chin and Paul Finkelman, “Birthright Citizenship, Slave Trade Legislation, and the Origins of Federal Immigration Regulation,” UC Davis Law Review, Vol. 54 (April 8, 2021) Gabriel J. Chin, “America Has Freaked Out Over Birthright Citizenship For Centuries,” Talking Points Memo (Aug. 2015) Kurt Lash, “Prima Facie Citizenship: Birth, Allegiance and the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause,” SSRN (Feb. 22, 2025) Kurt Lash, The Fourteenth Amendment and the Privileges and Immunities of American Citizenship (2014) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
In the first installment of a two-part series on immigration, the girlies ask an important question: what gives someone the right to call a place home — and who gets to decide? Is citizenship a moral construct, or just a legal one? If borders are made up, why do they control so much of our lives? In light of the ongoing deportation horrors and increasingly aggressive border enforcement, we're looking back to figure out how we got here. From early immigration through World War I, we trace the long, messy history of who's been allowed in, who's been shut out, and how the U.S. has used immigration as a tool for control, exclusion, and scapegoating. Everyone, regardless of immigration status, has rights under the U.S. Constitution. You have the right to remain silent, the right to refuse a search without a warrant, and the right to speak to a lawyer. For more information and resources, visit ilrc.org & aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights. This episode was produced by Julia Hava and Eliza McLamb and edited by Allison Hagan. Research assistance from Kylie Finnigan. To support the podcast on Patreon and access 50+ bonus episodes, mediasodes, zoom hangouts and more, visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today. SOURCES: 4 things to know about the Alien Enemies Act and Trump's efforts to use it A Brief History of U.S. Immigration Policy from the Colonial Period to the Present Day A History of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 A Letter to Columbia American Immigration Policy in Historical Perspective Americans' Views of Deportations Chinese Immigration and the Chinese Exclusion Acts Federal Government Detains International Student at Tufts Historical Context: The Post-World War I Red Scare How does deportation work, and how much does it cost? We break it down Immigration History Timeline Immigration judge denies bond for Tufts University student from Turkey, her lawyers say International students are being told by email that their visas are revoked and that they must ‘self-deport.' What to know Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of The United States by Tren De Aragua Isolationism and U.S. Foreign Policy After World War I Mahmoud Khalil arrest: Can the US deport a green card holder? Newly Declassified Documents Reveal the Untold Stories of the Red Scare, a Hunt for Communists in Postwar America Red Scare Refugee Timeline Reported: Administration officials direct ICE to increase arrests to meet daily quotas Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks to the Press Targeting of Tufts Student for Deportation Stuns Friends and Teachers The Alien and Sedition Acts The Alien Enemies Act Is Outdated, Dangerous, and Ripe for Abuse The Alien Enemies Act, Explained The Alien Enemies Act: The One Alien and Sedition Act Still on the Books The Alien Enemies Act: What to know about a 1798 law that Trump has invoked for deportations The First Red Scare The Immigrant Army: Immigrant Service Members in World War I The Industrial Immigrant in the United States, 1783-1812 The National Constitution Center's Founders' Library The Sedition and Espionage Acts Were Designed to Quash Dissent During WWI The U.S. Confiscated Half a Billion Dollars in Private Property During WWI To my husband, Mahmoud Khalil: I can't wait to tell our son of his father's bravery Trump is promising deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. What is it? Trump officials issue quotas to ICE officers to ramp up arrests Tufts University student can't be deported to Turkiye without court order U.S. Immigration Timeline What WW1 civilian internment can teach us about today When John Adams Signed a Law to Authorize Deportations and Jail Critics Who is Mahmoud Khalil? Palestinian activist detained by ICE over Columbia University protests ‘Where's Alex?' A Beloved Caregiver Is Swept Up in Trump's Green Card Crackdown
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, historians Rick Atkinson, author of The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777; Mary Beth Norton, author of 1774: The Long Year of Revolution; and Rosemarie Zagarri, author of Revolutionary Backlash: Women and Politics in the Early American Republic, explore the events leading to the first shots of the American Revolution, the battles themselves, and the colonists' response to this pivotal moment in history. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Rick Atkinson, The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777, (2019) Rick Atkinson, The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, (2025) Mary Beth Norton, 1774: The Long Year of Revolution, (2020) Mary Beth Norton, Liberty's daughters: The Revolutionary experience of American women, 1750-1800, (1980) Rosemarie Zagarri, Revolutionary Backlash: Women and Politics in the Early American Republic, (2008) Rosemarie Zagarri, A Woman's Dilemma: Mercy Otis Warren and the American Revolution (2nd ed. 2014) Townshend Act (1767) The Tea Act and the Boston Tea Party (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation) The Intolerable Acts (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation) Joseph Warren, “Our Country Is In Danger but Not To Be Despaired Of,” (March 6, 1775) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
In this episode, Brian Kalt of Michigan State College of Law and Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, explore the founders' vision for the pardon power and the use of the presidential pardon throughout American history—from Thomas Jefferson's pardons to those issued by Presidents Biden and Trump. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Jeffrey Toobin, The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy (2025) Brian Kalt, Constitutional Cliffhangers (2012) Nixon Pardon (Gerald Ford Presidential Library) Trump v. United States (2024) Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 74, New York Packet (March 28, 1788) Abraham Lincoln, “Proclamation 124—Offering Pardon to Deserters” (March 11, 1865) United States v. Klein (1871) Ex parte Garland (1866) Andrew Glass, “Bush pardons Iran-Contra felons, Dec. 24, 1992,” Politico (Dec. 24, 2018) Presidential Records Act Donald Trump, “Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences for Certain Offenses Relating to the Events at or Near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,” (Jan. 20. 2025) Jimmy Carter, “Proclamation 4483—Granting pardon for violations of the Selective Service Act, August 4, 1964, to March 28, 1973,” (Jan. 21, 1973) Pardons granted by President Barack Obama Pardons granted by President Joe Biden Pardons granted by President Bill Clinton Pardons granted by President Donald Trump Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
Best-selling author Michael Lewis discusses his new book, Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service. As Americans' distrust in the government continues to grow, Lewis' book examines how the government works, who works for it, and why their contributions continue to matter. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Michael Lewis, ed., Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service (2025) Michael Lewis, “The free‑living bureaucrat,” The Washington Post (March 2025) Michael Lewis, “Directions to a journalistic gold mine,” The Washington Post (Nov. 2024) Michael Lewis, The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (2022) Michael Lewis, The Fifth Risk (2018) CURE ID Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash joins for a discussion of her book, America's Deadliest Election: The Cautionary Tale of the Most Violent Election in American History, which explores the little-known story of election violence in 1872 Louisiana, which nearly pushed American democracy to its breaking point, and what we can learn from it today. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. Resources Dana Bash & David Fisher, America's Deadliest Election: The Shocking True Story of the Election that Changed American History―Uncover the Roots of America's Political Divide (2024) Colfax Massacre Reports, Teaching American History The Slaughter-House Cases (1873) United States v. Cruikshank (1875) Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate
With tariffs, the Enemy Alien Act, and politically driven calls for judicial impeachment in the headlines, Ben & Bob decided to sit down and put these developments in historic context. We've never been so disappointed to have such a great reason to discuss the history we love! Some recommended readings: The US Constitution Scott Bomboy, “A Brief History of the Constitution and Tariffs,” National Constitution Center, Feb. 07, 2025 Lindsay Chervinsky, “Why the Last Supreme Court Impeachment was The Last (So Far),” The Bulwark, Sept. 02, 2022. This episode was edited by Ben Sawyer.
The Washington Roundtable speaks with Jeffrey Rosen, the president and C.E.O. of the National Constitution Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit, about how America's founders tried to tyrant-proof their constitutional system, how Donald Trump's whim-based decision-making resembles that of the dictator Julius Caesar, and what we can learn from the fall of the Roman Republic. Plus, how the Supreme Court is responding to the Trump Administration's broad claims of executive power. Rosen, a professor at George Washington University Law School, hosts the “We the People” podcast and is the author of “The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America.” This week's reading: “Trump's Golden Age of Bunk,” by Susan B. Glasser “Trump's Disgrace,” by David Remnick “What Will Democratic Resistance Look Like?,” by Jay Caspian Kang “What Putin Wants Now,” by Isaac Chotiner To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send in feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com with “The Political Scene” in the subject line. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Sarah Isgur and David French chased down a handful of authors over the weekend at the National Constitution Center for hallway interviews about life, liberty, and ... witches. The Agenda: —Jeff Rosen teaches us about happiness —Virtue vs. pleasure —Salem witch trials! —Nobody burns, they hang —What does it mean to be a lawyer? —Living beyond the billable hour Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings, click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The 1898 supreme court case called United States vs. Wong Kim Ark had affected enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act, because the court found that people born in the U.S. to Chinese parents were U.S. citizens. Research: Graber, Mark A. "United States v. Wong Kim Ark." American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, et al., vol. 5, Macmillan Reference USA, 2016, pp. 228-230. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629100710/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=73795502. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025. "United States v. Wong Kim Ark." Gale U.S. History Online Collection, Gale, 2024. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EXXRWP999307394/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=c225358c. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025. "United States v. Wong Kim Ark." Great American Court Cases, edited by Mark Mikula and L. Mpho Mabunda, vol. 3: Equal Protection and Family Law, Gale, 1999. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ2303200443/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=01ef8726. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025. Zietlow, Rebecca E. "Fourteenth Amendment: Citizenship Clause." American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, et al., vol. 2, Macmillan Reference USA, 2016, pp. 248-251. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629100269/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=5c43018e. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025. Rosenbloom, Rachel E. “Birthright Citizenship Has Been Challenged Before.” Time. 1/15/2025. https://time.com/7204970/birthright-citizenship-test-cases/ Bomboy, Scott. “Updated: The birthright citizenship question and the Constitution.” National Constitution Center. 1/21/2025. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/revisiting-the-birthright-citizenship-question-and-the-constitution Cabrera-Lomelí, Carlos. “A 129-Year-Old San Francisco Lawsuit Could Stop Trump From Ending Birthright Citizenship.” KQED. 1/21/2025. https://www.kqed.org/news/12015449/a-129-year-old-san-francisco-lawsuit-could-stop-trump-from-ending-birthright-citizenship Abdelfatah, Rund et al. “By Accident of Birth.” Throughline. NPR. 6/9/2022. https://www.npr.org/2022/06/06/1103291268/by-accident-of-birth Dhillon, Hardeep. “How the Fight for Birthright Citizenship Shaped the History of Asian American Families.” Smithsonian. 3/27/2023. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-the-fight-for-birthright-citizenship-reshaped-asian-american-families-180981866/ Frost, Amanda. “Birthright Citizens and Paper Sons.” The American Scholar. 1/18/2021. https://theamericanscholar.org/birthright-citizens-and-paper-sons/ Moore, Robert. “He won a landmark citizenship case at the US Supreme Court. El Paso tried to deport him anyway.” El Paso Matters. 7/4/2022. https://elpasomatters.org/2022/07/04/wong-kim-ark-vs-united-states-history-immigration-supreme-court/ Frost, Amanda. “’By Accident of Birth’: The Battle over Birthright Citizenship After United States v. Wong Kim Ark.” Yale Journal of Law and the Humanities. https://openyls.law.yale.edu/handle/20.500.13051/7583 Berger, Bethany. “Birthright Citizenship on Trial: Elk v. Wilkins and United States v. Wong Kim Ark.” Articles and Papers. 378. 2016. https://opencommons.uconn.edu/law_papers/378 National Archives Catalog. “In the matter of Wong Kim Ark for a writ of habeas corpus.” https://catalog.archives.gov/id/296026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As we study the Constitution and spend time reading, we can cultivate virtue and learn what the Founders meant by the “pursuit of happiness.” Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, delivered this forum address on January 28, 2025. You can access the full talk here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Very few people have worked closely with President-elect Donald Trump, gotten fired, and walked away with a pretty balanced view of him. But former national security adviser to Trump, Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster is an exception. In his book At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House, he gives an honest account of working in Trump's first administration: the good, the bad, and the unexpected. Last week, McMaster sat down with Michael Moynihan at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for an in-person Free Press Book Club event to discuss it all. They talk about his moments of tension with Trump, his understanding of Trump's foreign policy, and how Trump's rhetoric toward adversaries was actually good, despite being villainized by the press. And also, as McMaster puts it, Trump can be “so disruptive, he often interrupts his own agenda.” They also get into the president-elect's current cabinet picks—ones who McMaster sees as good, like Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, but how good picks do not ensure a harmonious administration. They discuss Trump's options for handling Russia, Iran, and Hamas in his second term, and why McMaster is surprisingly and cautiously optimistic about Trump 2.0. If you liked what you heard from Honestly, the best way to support us is to go to TheFP.com and become a Free Press subscriber today. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute in Washington, D.C. FDD's experts conduct in-depth research, produce accurate and timely analyses, identify illicit activities, and provide policy options—all with the aim of strengthening U.S. national security and reducing or eliminating threats posed by enemies of the United States and other free nations. Learn more at FDD.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
