The Story of the U.S. Constitution: Past and Present

The Story of the U.S. Constitution: Past and Present

Author: National Constitution Center January 16, 2026 Duration: 1:03:26
After more than 12 years of distinguished service as President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Rosen has transitioned to the role of CEO Emeritus, enabling him to devote his full time and energy to his scholarship and public dialogue.  The Center’s Board of Trustees appointed Vince Stango to serve as Interim President and CEO.  From all of us at the National Constitution Center, we express our gratitude to Jeff for his leadership and vision, including his role as the long-time host of the Center’s We the People podcast, where he brought constitutional debate to life for millions of listeners.  For the full announcement, visit the website. While you’re there, check out the many exciting things, including the Interactive Declaration, and all of our resources for America’s 250th!   As we work to bring you the next chapter of We the People, we will continue to share recent programs and episodes from the archive.   In this episode, we're sharing an America's Town Hall program with historians, Akhil Reed Amar, David Blight, and Annette Gordon-Reed, who joined for a sweeping conversation about the Constitution and the debates that have shaped America—from the founding era to today. They examine transformative moments in American history and landmark Supreme Court decisions.  This program is presented in partnership with the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute and the Organization of American Historians. Resources  National Constitution Center Announces Leadership Transition  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  Explore ⁠⁠Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness⁠⁠  ⁠⁠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

Hosted by National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen, We the People is a weekly conversation that digs into the constitutional questions shaping the country right now. This isn't just a history lesson, though historical context is always part of the discussion. Instead, each episode brings together leading voices-legal scholars, journalists, public officials, and advocates-to engage in thoughtful, civil debate. You'll hear genuine dialogue where participants articulate and defend their positions, offering a clearer understanding of the complex legal and philosophical principles at stake. The goal is to move beyond headlines and soundbites, providing a forum where the best arguments from all sides are presented with depth and respect. Tuning into this podcast feels like sitting in on a crucial discussion at the intersection of law, politics, and society, one that illuminates how the Constitution actively influences contemporary American life. Produced by the National Constitution Center, it serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their grasp of the nation's founding document and its powerful, ongoing role in our public discourse.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

We the People
Podcast Episodes
The Presidential Pardon Power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:52
Brian Kalt of Michigan State College of Law and Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Pardon: The Politics of Presidential Mercy, join Jeffrey Rosen to explore the founders’ vision for the pardon power and the use of the preside…
Are Religious Charter Schools Constitutional? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:32
On April 30, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, which examines the constitutionality of religious charter schools. In this episode, Michael McConnell of Stanfor…
The Future of Birthright Citizenship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:09
On May 15, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of President Trump’s executive order which seeks to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants…
The Day the Revolution Began [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:18
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, autho…
Do the Trump Tariffs Violate the Constitution? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:39
Steven Calabresi of Northwestern University and Samuel Estreicher of New York University join Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the statutory authority for President Trump’s tariffs and whether they violate federal law or the Con…
Judges on Judicial Independence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:44
National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen leads a special panel discussion with Federal Judges Association President Judge J. Michelle Childs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia C…
Who Is Government? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:59
Best-selling author Michael Lewis discusses his new book, Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service, with Jeffrey Rosen. As government programs face political headwinds, Lewis and his favorite writers examin…
Deportations and the Law [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:46
Trump has invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime authority, to summarily deport suspected members of a Venezuelan gang. He also invoked a Cold War-era statute to deport a student activist at Columbia University…
Is DOGE Breaking the Law? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Kate Huddleston, senior legal counsel of litigation at the Campaign Legal Center, and Michael McConnell, Richard and Frances Mallery Professor and director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School, join Je…
The State of Partisanship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:17
Jonathan Rauch, author of Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy, and Julian Zelizer, author of In Defense of Partisanship, join Jeffrey Rosen for a wide-ranging discussion on their new books and th…