We the People

A weekly show of constitutional debate hosted by National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen where listeners can hear the best arguments on all sides of the constitutional issues at the center of American life.

News
History
News Commentary
276
Should the Government Regulate Speech on Campus?
Would President Trump’s proposed executive order requiring colleges and universities to support free speech if they want federal research dollars be constitutional? And is it a good idea? Free speech on campus experts Sigal Ben-Porath and Adam Kissel join host Jeffrey Rosen to grapple with this question.
64 min
277
The Future of Abortion Laws at the Supreme Court
Two leading voices from organizations on different sides of today's biggest debates over abortion laws—Catherine Glenn Foster of Americans United for Life and Dr. Kelli Garcia of National Women's Law Center—explore the key cases making their way up to the Supreme Court with host Jeffrey Rosen.
58 min
278
Is the Presidency Too Powerful?
Have American presidents usurped greater power over time, or did Congress and the people surrender power? Listen for the answer to this and other fascinating questions about the power of the presidency as Julian Zelizer and Eric Posner join host Jeffrey Rosen.
57 min
279
The Tennessee Wine Case and the 21st Amendment
A lawsuit over residency requirements for retail liquor licenses in Tennessee has raised an array of legal and constitutional questions; two advocates involved in the case, Michael Bindas and John Neiman, join host Jeffrey Rosen to discuss them all.
57 min
280
Can the Equal Rights Amendment be Revived?
Exploring whether the Equal Rights Amendment can be revived, and the possible legal, political, and cultural effects it could bring about if ratified and added to the Constitution– Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Linda Coberly of the national ERA Coalition’s Legal Task Force and Inez Stepman of the Independent Women’s Forum.
72 min
281
Football, Faith, and the First Amendment
Was a high school coach unconstitutionally fired for praying on a football field? First Amendment experts Stephanie Barclay and Richard Katskee explore this question and many others with host Jeffrey Rosen.
59 min
282
MLK's Constitutional Legacy
Civil rights and constitution experts Ted Shaw and Michael Klarman join guest host Lana Ulrich for an exploration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s constitutional legacy.
53 min
283
Is the Second Amendment a “Second Class Right”?
Has the Second Amendment been adequately protected at the Supreme Court and in lower courts? Gun law experts Clark Neily and Adam Winkler join host Jeffrey Rosen to debate.
62 min
284
Can the President Declare a National Emergency ...
Breaking down all of the constitutional clauses, cases, and laws related to the president’s suggestion that he may declare a national emergency in order to build the wall, Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Professors Mark Tushnet and Sai Prakash.
55 min
285
Best of 2018: ‘Madison, the Media, and the Mob’...
Three distinguished (and unrelated) journalists—Jeff Goldberg, Jonah Goldberg, and Michelle Goldberg— join host Jeffrey Rosen to consider what James Madison might think of the media today.
55 min
286
Best of 2018: Doris Kearns Goodwin, Live at Ame...
Doris Kearns Goodwin sits down with Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the leadership qualities of four legendary presidents.
73 min
287
2018: A Constitutional Year in Review
Emily Bazelon and Josh Blackman review the biggest constitutional debates of 2018.
63 min
288
Cohen, Trump, and Campaign Finance Law
Campaign finance law experts Rick Hasen and Brad Smith join host Jeffrey Rosen to break down Michael Cohen's crimes and the campaign finance laws at issue.
36 min
289
Is the Act Protecting the Special Counsel Uncon...
Is the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act unconstitutional? Offering the arguments on both sides, Josh Geltzer and Eric Posner join Jeffrey Rosen.
54 min
290
LIVE AT AMERICA’S TOWN HALL: Senator Chris Coon...
Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) sits down with Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the future of the Senate and why senators don’t debate anymore.
34 min
291
The Bladensburg Peace Cross Case
Lawyers on both sides of the Bladensburg Peace Cross case join Jeffrey Rosen.
56 min
292
Free Speech and Press Cases in the Courts
David French of National Review and Katie Fallow of the Knight First Amendment Institute join Jeffrey Rosen to discuss First Amendment cases in the courts today.
58 min
293
The Attorney General, the President, and Congre...
Breaking down the constitutional, legal, and political repercussions of Jeff Sessions’ departure, Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Steve Vladeck and Greg Weiner.
54 min
294
Does the Constitution Require Birthright Citize...
Akhil Amar and Edward Erler debate the President’s proposal to revoke birthright citizenship, diving into the history of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause with host Jeffrey Rosen.
64 min
295
Voting Rights, Election Law, and the Midterms
A partnership with Ballotpedia, this episode surveys the election law and voting rights issues most relevant to this year’s midterms.
48 min
296
Key Congressional Elections in History
What can the elections that realigned and redefined our nation teach us about the upcoming midterms? Jeffrey Rosen explores this question with Matthew Green and Thomas Mann.
56 min
297
Is There a Supreme Court Legitimacy Crisis?
Exploring the debates over the Court's legitimacy and its future, Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Professors Jennifer Mascott and Melissa Murray.
57 min
298
Libel, the Media, and Constitutional Legitimacy
Adam Liptak and Richard Epstein join Jeffrey Rosen to explain what libel is and how laws against it fit within First Amendment protections.
46 min
299
Senators Flake and Coons: The Future of the Sen...
Senators Jeff Flake and Chris Coons join Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings and the future of the Senate and the Supreme Court.
43 min
300
Supreme Court Term Preview
Exploring the cases coming before the Court in the October 2018 term, Jeffrey Rosen is joined by Brianne Gorod and Ilya Shapiro.
53 min