Can President Trump Invoke the Insurrection Act Over the Objections of State Governors?

Run time: 57 minutes

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

Sincerity with Phillis Wheatley

Run time: 32 minutes

In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American to publish a book in English. Her poems show a deep understanding of previous poets, a drive to represent herself and her world in the printed page, and a belief in equality. Jeffrey Rosen, Professor David Waldstreicher, and Ken Burns explore how her life highlights the importance of acting with sincerity, no matter how many people may be against you. Listen now on Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness

We the People and Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more

The History and Legacy of the Voting Rights Act

by Scott Bomboy | Read time: 5 minutes

“In the case of Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court on Wednesday could decide the fate of a key section of the Voting Rights Act, a centerpiece of the Civil Rights Movement. The court will hear arguments about the constitutionality of a Louisiana law that created a voting district where the majority of voters are Black, which was followed by a second similar district in state. ... ” Read more

October 18, 1867: Remembering William Seward’s Alaska ‘Folly’

by NCC Staff | Read time: 2 minutes

“Today marks the anniversary of one of the most controversial land deals in American history: the Alaska Purchase or Seward’s Folly. On October 18, 1867, the United States took possession of Alaska from Russia under the terms of a formal land transfer, in a ceremony in the town of Sitka. ... ” Read more

NPR’s 1A: The Atlantic Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday

Run time: 32 minutes

This week on NPR’s 1A, Jeffrey Rosen discussed his contribution to The Atlantic’s call for writers to cover the country’s founding era to find out what America’s political thinkers valued at its beginning.

"The goal is to remind people in the U.S. about the abstract ideas enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other important revolutionary documents. And, how reconnecting with those ideals might help us as we struggle to keep American democracy together 250 years later. ... " Listen now on 1A

Article IV, Section 4

“The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence."

Read interpretations in the Interactive Constitution

Support the Center

Your generous support enables the National Constitution Center to thrive as America’s leading platform for nonpartisan constitutional education and civil dialogue.  

Connect With Us

Update your email preferences by clicking the Update Profile link below to subscribe to other National Constitution Center newsletters and manage how often you hear from us.