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Walter Isaacson on the Greatest Sentence Ever Written Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, best-selling biographer Walter Isaacson joins to discuss his new book, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, with Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, Isaacson explores the intellectual inspirations and drafting history of the Declaration’s famous second sentence, which lays the foundation for the American dream and defines the common ground we share as a nation.

Resources

Walter Isaacson, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (2025)
Walter Isaacson, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (2004)
David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature (1739)
Benjamin Franklin, “Apology for Printers,” The Pennsylvania Gazette (1731)
John Locke, Two Treatises of Government (1690)

In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders’ to Guide to Happiness Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection.

Listen to episodes of Pursuit on ⁠Apple Podcast⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠.

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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
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Are Trump’s Tariffs Lawful? Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Samuel Estreicher of the NYU School of Law and John Yoo of the UC Berkeley School of Law join to recap the oral arguments from the pair of challenges to President Trump’s tariffs and discuss whether International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) authorizes the president to impose extensive tariffs on nearly all goods imported into the United States. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

Samuel Estreicher et al., “Brief of Professors of Administrative Law, Separation of Powers, Foreign Relations Law, Legislation and the Regulatory State, and Trade Law” (10/24/2025)
Sam Estreicher and Andrew Babbit, “The Case Against Unbounded Delegation in Trump v. VOS Selections,” Lawfare (10/30/2025)
John Yoo, “What Could the Supreme Court Rule About Trump’s Tariffs,” Civitas Institute (9/8/2025)
Biden v. Nebraska(2023)
Whitman v. American Trucking Associations, Inc.(2001)
Dames & Moore v. Regan(1981)
Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1953)
United States v. Yoshida International, Inc.(CCPA, 1975)
United States v. Curtiss-Wright Export Corp. (1936)
Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States (1935)

Listen to episodes of Pursuit on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

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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
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Alexander Hamilton: Closet Monarchist or Visionary Nationalist? Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

This episode is a two-part show on Alexander Hamilton. First, in a new episode of the podcast Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness, Jeffrey Rosen, historian Stephen Knott, and filmmaker Ken Burns unpack Hamilton’s life and legacy to see what lessons he can teach us about restraint. Then, Jeffrey Rosen and acclaimed historian and biographer Ron Chernow further explore the meteoric rise, inspiring life, and tragic death of Hamilton in a conversation from the NCC’s 2025 Liberty Medal Ceremony.

Resources

Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness
Ron Chernow, Alexander Hamilton (2005)
Jeffrey Rosen, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America (2025)
The National Constitution Center’s 37th annual Liberty Medal
Pursuit of Happiness, Song Cycles by Jeffrey Rosen, (2025)

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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
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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
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The Pursuit of Liberty: A Conversation with Jeffrey Rosen and Jeffrey Goldberg Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Jeffrey Rosen launched his new book, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America, at the National Constitution Center in conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic. The book explores how the opposing constitutional visions of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton have defined the nation since its founding, shaped presidents from Washington to Trump, and continued to drive today’s debates over government power. This program was recorded live in Philadelphia on October 21, 2025, and presented in partnership with The Atlantic and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Resources

Jeffrey Rosen, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America, (2025)

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
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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
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The Dinner Party that Defined America Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

In this bonus episode, we’re sharing a live conversation with Jeffrey Rosen, Joanne Freeman, George F. Will, and Sean Wilentz exploring Rosen’s new book, which is out this week: The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America. Their conversation explores how the opposing constitutional visions of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton have defined the nation since its founding and continued to drive today’s debates over the balance between liberty and power.

This conversation was originally recorded on February 22, 2025, as part of the NCC’s President’s Council Retreat in Miami, FL.

Resources

Jeffrey Rosen, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America, (2025)

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
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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:

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Can President Trump Invoke the Insurrection Act Over the Objections of State Governors? Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, William Banks of Syracuse University College of Law and Laura Dickinson of the George Washington Law School join to discuss the history and meaning of the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the president to deploy the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement purposes. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

Illinois v. Trump (N.D. Illinois, 2025)
United States v. Cruikshank (1875)
Martin v. Mott (1827)
William Banks and Stephen Dycus, Soldiers on the Home Front: The Domestic Role of the American Military (2016)
William Banks, “Providing ‘Supplemental Security’ – The Insurrection Act and the Military Role in Responding to Domestic Crises,” Journal of National Security Law & Policy (12/15/2009)
Laura Dickinson, “Protecting the U.S. National Security State from a Rogue President,” Harvard National Security Journal (1/9/2025)
Laura Dickinson, “How the Insurrection Act (Properly Understood) Limits Domestic Deployments of the U.S. Military,” Lawfare (9/12/2024)

In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness, Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection.

Listen to episodes of Pursuit on ⁠Apple Podcast⁠ and ⁠Spotify⁠.

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
⁠⁠⁠⁠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
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Do Bans on Conversion Therapy Violate the First Amendment? Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Stephanie Barclay of the Georgetown University Law Center and Erwin Chemerinsky of the UC Berkeley School of Law join to recap the oral arguments from Chiles v. Salazar and discuss whether Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy violates the First Amendment. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.

Resources

United States v. Skrmetti (2025)
Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025)
NIFLA v. Becerra(2018)
Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California (Cal. 1976)
Stephanie Barclay et al., “Brief amici curiae of First Amendment Scholars,” Chiles v. Salazar (6/13/2025)
Erwin Chemerinsky et al., “Brief amici curiae of Constitutional Law Scholars,” Chiles v. Salazar (8/26/2025)
Cass Report (2024)

Listen to episodes of Pursuit on ⁠⁠Apple Podcast⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠.

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
⁠⁠⁠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
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What Is the Legacy of the Roberts Court on Its 20th Anniversary? Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Steve Vladeck of the Georgetown University Law Center and Sarah Isgur of SCOTUSblog join to discuss the legacy of the Roberts Court on its 20th anniversary and preview the important cases in the Supreme Court’s upcoming term, which begins on Monday, October 6. The National Constitution Center’s Griffin Richie guest hosts.

Resources

Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump
Trump v. Slaughter
Sarah Isgur and David French, Advisory Opinions
Steve Vladeck, “The Roberts Court Turns Twenty,” One First (9/29/2025)
Steve Vladeck, The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic (5/16/2023)
Caleb Nelson, “Special Feature: Must Administrative Officers Serve at the President’s Pleasure?,” Democracy Project (9/29/2025)
Joseph Copeland, “Favorable views of Supreme Court remain near historic low,” Pew Research (9/3/2025)
Brett M. Kavanaugh, “Separation of Powers During the Forty-Fourth Presidency and Beyond,” Minnesota Law Review (2009)

Listen to episodes of Pursuit on ⁠⁠Apple Podcast⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠.

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
⁠⁠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:

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Can Government Officials Pressure Private Companies and Universities to Restrict Speech? Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Genevieve Lakier of the University of Chicago Law School and Eugene Volokh of the UCLA School of Law join to discuss the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC and the broader history and constitutionality of jawboning, the practice of government officials pressuring private actors to stifle speech.

Resources

National Rifle Association v. Vullo (2024)
Murthy v. Missouri(2024)
Bantam Books, Inc. v. Sullivan (1963)
Rust v. Sullivan (1991)
Genevieve Lakier, “Enforcing the First Amendment in an Era of Jawboning,” University of Chicago Law Review, Forthcoming 2026
Eugene Volokh, “Jimmy Kimmel, the NRA, and the First Amendment,” Volokh Conspiracy, September 18, 2025

In our new podcast, Pursuit: The Founders’ to Guide to Happiness Jeffrey Rosen explores the founders’ lives with the historians who know them best. Plus, filmmaker Ken Burns shares his daily practice of self-reflection.

Listen to episodes of Pursuit on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

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
⁠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

A Conversation with Justice Amy Coney Barrett on ‘Listening to the Law’ Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

On September 17, 2025, the Honorable Amy Coney Barrett, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, joined Jeffrey Rosen for an America’s Town Hall program in celebration of Constitution Day 2025 and the release of her new book, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and the Constitution. Justice Barrett reflects on her journey to the Court and offers a glimpse into her role (and daily life) as a justice, including her deliberative process and approach to constitutional interpretation.

Resources

Amy Coney Barrett, Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and the Constitution, (2025)
National Constitution Center: America at 250 Civic Toolkit
National Constitution Center: Constitution Daily

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
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

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