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
326
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
327
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
328
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
329
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
330
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
331
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
332
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
333
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
334
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
335
2018: A Constitutional Year in Review
Emily Bazelon and Josh Blackman review the biggest constitutional debates of 2018.
63 min
336
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
337
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
338
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
339
The Bladensburg Peace Cross Case
Lawyers on both sides of the Bladensburg Peace Cross case join Jeffrey Rosen.
56 min
340
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
341
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
342
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
343
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
344
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
345
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
346
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
347
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
348
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
349
Should Chevron Be Overturned?
This debate over the resolution “Should Chevron be overturned?” was recorded live in New York City at the Federal Bar Association’s 2018 annual convention.
51 min
350
Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearings Recap
How he might shape the Court if confirmed
52 min