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
301
When Can the President Claim Executive Privilege?
John Yoo of Berkeley Law and Steve Vladeck of University of Texas Law join host Jeffrey Rosen for a wide-ranging discussion on executive privilege, focusing on potential executive privilege claims by President Trump in various scenarios including the Mueller report, the House obstruction inquiry, and pending civil lawsuits against Trump.
50 min
302
The Death Penalty at the Supreme Court
Several key death penalty cases came before the Supreme Court this term; capital punishment experts Richard Broughton and John Bessler join host Jeffrey Rosen to analyze the cases and what they might mean for the future of the death penalty.
49 min
303
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
304
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
305
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
306
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
307
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
308
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
309
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
310
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
311
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
312
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
313
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
314
2018: A Constitutional Year in Review
Emily Bazelon and Josh Blackman review the biggest constitutional debates of 2018.
63 min
315
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
316
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
317
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
318
The Bladensburg Peace Cross Case
Lawyers on both sides of the Bladensburg Peace Cross case join Jeffrey Rosen.
56 min
319
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
320
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
321
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
322
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
323
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
324
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
325
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