Live at the National Constitution Center
News & Politics
About
Live constitutional conversations and debates featuring leading historians, journalists, scholars, and public officials hosted at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and across America. To watch National Constitution Center Town Halls live, check out our schedule of upcoming programs at constitutioncenter.org/townhall. Register through Zoom to ask your constitutional questions in the Q&A or watch live on YouTube at YouTube.com/ConstitutionCenter.
Episodes
- Sai Prakash on The Presidential Pardon: The Short Clause with a Long, Troubled History
Sai Prakash joins to discuss his book, "The Presidential Pardon: The Short Clause with a Long, Troubled History." He explores how the Constitution’s brief Pardon Clause has become the modern presidency's most expansive and controversial to…
- Sarah Isgur on Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today’s Supreme Court
Sarah Isgur joins the National Constitution Center to discuss her book "Last Branch Standing." The conversation explores the Supreme Court's unique role in American democracy, how it became the "last branch standing," and the implications…
- Women and the American Revolution
Acclaimed historians Mary Beth Norton and Rosemarie Zagarri examine women's influence on the political, social, and intellectual aspects of the American Revolution, exploring how their experiences deepen understanding of America's founding…
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Women’s Suffrage, and the Legacy of the 19th Amendment
Award-winning historian Ellen DuBois discusses the life, ideas, and legacy of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the struggle for women's suffrage, moderated by Thomas Donnelly.
- National Constitution Center Book Club: Jon Meacham
Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham discusses his book "American Struggle," which compiles historical speeches and writings on American democracy. Vince Stango moderates the discussion.
- Thomas Paine and the 250th Anniversary of Common Sense
Gary Berton, president of The Thomas Paine Historical Association, and Scott Cleary, co-editor of New Directions in Thomas Paine Studies, discuss Thomas Paine's life, ideas, and legacy. The discussion marks the 250th anniversary of Paine's…
- The Declaration of Independence and the Push for Racial Equality
In observance of Black History Month, scholars Lucas Morel and Melvin Rogers discussed the invocation of the Declaration of Independence's ideas by African American leaders and citizens to advance racial equality in America. Thomas Donnell…
- The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution
Jesse Wegman discusses his book, The Lost Founder: James Wilson and the Forgotten Fight for a People’s Constitution, with legal scholar William Ewald. They explore the legacy of James Wilson, a founder and Supreme Court Justice. Julie Silv…
- William F. Buckley and the History of American Conservatism
Matthew Continetti, author of "The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism," and biographer Sam Tanenhaus discuss Tanenhaus’s book "Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America." They trace the history of America…
- The Constitutional Legacy of Justice Robert Jackson
John Q. Barrett, Gerard Magliocca, and G. Edward White discuss Justice Robert Jackson
- Amending the Constitution and the Article V Project
This episode of Live at the National Constitution Center introduces the Article V Project, examining the historical use and challenges of Article V with constitutional law experts. The discussion covers the founders' intentions and include…
- Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Still Matters
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Edward Larson discusses his book, 'Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Still Matters,' tracing the idea of American independence in 1776 and its lasting significance. The discussion is moderated by Jeffrey Ros…
- Bonus: Twelve Titans Song Cycle
This bonus episode from Live at the National Constitution Center features recordings from a podcast launch event. It includes a performance of Jeffrey Rosen’s songs, "The Golden Mean: Songs for the Pursuit of Happiness" and "Twelve Titans:…
- Bonus: The Golden Mean Song Cycle
This bonus episode features recordings from a Philadelphia event celebrating the launch of the Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness podcast. It includes a performance of Jeffrey Rosen’s original songs, The Golden Mean: Songs for the P…
- Liberalism: Current Challenges and Modern Debates
Susan Stokes and Cass Sunstein explore current challenges facing liberalism and its essential role in freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Jeffrey Rosen moderates this discussion.
- Native Nations: From Ancient Cities to Today
Kathleen DuVal discusses her book tracing a millennium of North American Indigenous history, including ancient civilizations, the arrival of Europeans, and contemporary sovereignty movements. Thomas Donnelly moderates.
- The Pursuit of Liberty: A Book Launch Event With Jeffrey Rosen and Jeffrey Goldberg
Jeffrey Rosen and Jeffrey Goldberg discuss Rosen's new book, "The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America." The book examines the historical and ongoing influence of the opposing cons…
- Our Fragile Freedoms
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner joins Jeffrey Rosen to discuss "Our Fragile Freedoms," a collection of essays examining historical and modern debates on slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Constitution.
- An Evening With Justice Amy Coney Barrett
Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined Jeffrey Rosen for a Constitution Day conversation about her book "Listening to the Law." She discussed her journey to the Supreme Court, her role as a justice, and her approach to interpreting the Constitut…
- Born Equal: America’s Founding Promise and the Fight for Equality
Jeffrey Rosen speaks with constitutional scholar Akhil Reed Amar about his book, 'Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840–1920.' The discussion covers transformative amendments that redefined freedom, equality, and voting rights…
- 2025 Supreme Court Review, Panel 3: Covering the Court
Panel 3 of the National Constitution Center’s U.S. Supreme Court review features Jess Bravin, Jan Crawford, and Fred Smith Jr. discussing how the Court is covered, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen.
- 2025 Supreme Court Review, Panel 2: The Roberts Court and Executive Power
This episode features a panel discussion from the National Constitution Center’s 2025 Supreme Court review symposium, focusing on the Roberts Court and executive power. The discussion includes analysis from scholars Stephen Vladeck, Daniel…
- 2025 Supreme Court Review, Panel 1: Supreme Court Term Review
Panel 1 of a U.S. Supreme Court review symposium, hosted by the National Constitution Center, features constitutional law scholars analyzing the Court’s significant rulings from the term.
- The Story of the U.S. Constitution: Past and Present
Akhil Reed Amar, David Blight, and Annette Gordon-Reed discuss the Constitution's past and present with Jeffrey Rosen, exploring historical debates, transformative moments, and Supreme Court decisions.
- W.E.B. Du Bois and His Impact on America With David Levering Lewis
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian David Levering Lewis explores the life, legacy, and impact of W.E.B. Du Bois on American history. The discussion, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen, also touches on Lewis's memoir, "The Stained Glass Window".
- Executive Authority: Presidential Power From America’s Founding to Today
Legal scholars Gillian Metzger and Saikrishna Prakash, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen, examine the evolution of presidential power from America’s founding to today. They discuss the founders’ intent, changes over time, key constitutional debat…
- Jewish Americans in the Civil War Era
Authors Richard Kreitner and Shari Rabin discuss their books on Jewish Americans' experience from the Revolutionary era to the Civil War, including their reckoning with slavery and participation in the Civil War. Jeffrey Rosen moderates th…
- Democracy in France and America With Justice Stephen Breyer and Minister Christiane Taubira
Justice Stephen Breyer (ret.) and former French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira converse on democracy, the rule of law, and constitutional traditions in France and America, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen.
- The Future of Birthright Citizenship: A Constitutional Debate
Legal experts discuss the constitutional and historical arguments regarding birthright citizenship, prompted by President Trump's executive order. They examine the 14th Amendment and its implications for immigration.
- The Day the Revolution Began: Lexington and Concord at 250
Historians Rick Atkinson, Mary Beth Norton, and Rosemarie Zagarri discuss the events of the Battles of Lexington and Concord 250 years after the American Revolution began, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen.
- The Evolution of the Presidential Pardon From Jefferson to Trump
Brian Kalt and Jeffrey Toobin discuss the evolution of the presidential pardon, from its origins with Thomas Jefferson to its use by Presidents Biden and Trump, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen.
- Michael Lewis on Who Is Government?
Best-selling author Michael Lewis discusses his new book, "Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service," which explores how government functions, its employees, and the significance of their work, particularly as public distrust…
- Dana Bash on America’s Deadliest Election
CNN Anchor Dana Bash discusses her book, America's Deadliest Election, detailing the violent 1872 Louisiana election and its implications for American democracy. Jeffrey Rosen moderated the discussion at the National Constitution Center.
- The State of Partisanship: Confronting the Challenges of a Divided Nation
Jonathan Rauch and Julian Zelizer discuss their books on partisanship in America, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen at the National Constitution Center.
- Juan Williams on the Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement
Journalist Juan Williams discusses his book "New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement" with New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie. Award-winning journalist Juan Williams and Thomas Donnelly, chief schol…
- Law and Reconstruction Beyond the Amendments
Leading historians Martha Jones, Kate Masur, and Dylan Penningroth convened at the National Constitution Center to discuss the legal and social impacts of Reconstruction beyond the constitutional amendments. Jeffrey Rosen moderated the dis…
- The 14th Amendment and the History of Reconstruction
Historians Pamela Brandwein, Sherrilyn Ifill, and Ilan Wurman discuss the 14th Amendment and the history of Reconstruction at an event moderated by Jeffrey Rosen at the National Constitution Center.
- My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses
Leading presidential historians Michael Gerhardt, Kate Masur, and Ted Widmer, contributors to My Fellow Americans: Presidents and Their Inaugural Addresses, discuss historical inaugural addresses and their impact on presidential legacies.…
- The Life and Constitutional Legacy of Gouverneur Morris
Melanie Randolph Miller, Dennis Rasmussen, and William Treanor explore the life and constitutional legacy of Gouverneur Morris, a Founding Father, Committee of Style member, and opponent of slavery. Jeffrey Rosen moderates.
- How Religious Were the Founders?
This episode features a discussion on religious liberty and the Founders with authors Jane Calvert, Vincent Phillip Muñoz, and Thomas Kidd, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen. The conversation references various historical documents and books rela…
- Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn
Christopher Cox and Professor Geoffrey Stone discuss Woodrow Wilson's presidential legacy, constitutional vision, and impact on American democracy. Jeffrey Rosen moderates this episode recorded at the National Constitution Center.
- Native Americans and the Supreme Court
Jeffrey Rosen moderates a discussion with Keith Richotte Jr. and Matthew L.M. Fletcher on Native American history and law through landmark Supreme Court cases, in observance of Native American Heritage Month.
- Electing the President: The Popular Vote vs. The Electoral College
This program from the National Constitution Center examines the history and debate surrounding the Electoral College, featuring authors Jesse Wegman and Robert Hardaway, moderated by Jeffrey Rosen.
- Global Threats to Freedom of the Press
Jeffrey Rosen and Jason Rezaian of The Washington Post discuss global free speech and press freedom issues at the National Constitution Center’s 2024 National First Amendment Summit. Rezaian shares insights from his experience being impris…
- The NCC’s 2024 National First Amendment Summit
The National Constitution Center convened the 2024 National First Amendment Summit in partnership with FIRE and NYU’s First Amendment Watch. The event featured discussions on "Free Speech on Campus Today" and "Free Speech In and Out of the…
- John Lewis: A Life
David Greenberg discusses his biography 'John Lewis: A Life' with Kenneth Mack, exploring John Lewis's life, heroism in the Civil Rights Movement, and impact on American history. Lana Ulrich moderates.
- For or Against Constitutional Originalism?: A Debate
Jonathan Gienapp, author of "Against Constitutional Originalism: A Historical Critique," debates constitutional originalism with Stephen Sachs. The discussion, moderated by Thomas Donnelly, covers the history and role of originalism in con…
- The 2024 Liberty Medal Ceremony Honoring Ken Burns
The National Constitution Center hosted its 2024 Liberty Medal Ceremony honoring Ken Burns. The episode includes discussions with Jeffrey Rosen and Sarah Botstein about Burns's work, his acceptance speech, and a conversation with Burns abo…
- A Conversation With Justice Neil Gorsuch on ‘The Human Toll of Too Much Law’
Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and co-author Janie Nitze discussed their book "Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law" with Jeffrey Rosen. The conversation was part of an America’s Town Hall program at the National Constitution Cent…
- ‘The Highest Calling’: A Conversation With David Rubenstein on the American Presidency
David Rubenstein joined Jeffrey Rosen at the National Constitution Center to discuss his book "The Highest Calling," which features interviews on the American Presidency. They explored the responsibilities, achievements, and challenges of…