We the People

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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.

Recent Episodes
  • Native Americans and the Supreme Court
    Nov 7, 2024 – 58:24
  • How Should We Elect the President?
    Oct 31, 2024 – 59:12
  • The NCC’s 2024 National First Amendment Summit
    Oct 24, 2024 – 01:27:41
  • The Supreme Court Hears Glossip v. Oklahoma
    Oct 18, 2024 – 57:18
  • Can the ATF Regulate Ghost Guns?
    Oct 10, 2024 – 58:24
  • Anne Applebaum on Autocratic Threats Around the World
    Oct 3, 2024 – 53:48
  • The 2024 Liberty Medal Ceremony Honoring Ken Burns
    Sep 26, 2024 – 01:09:22
  • A Conversation With Justice Neil Gorsuch on ‘The Human Toll of Too Much Law’
    Sep 20, 2024 – 01:09:08
  • ‘The Highest Calling’: A Conversation With David Rubenstein on the American Presidency
    Sep 13, 2024 – 01:06:20
  • The Scientist Turned Spy: André Michaux, Thomas Jefferson, and the Conspiracy of 1793
    Sep 5, 2024 – 48:46
  • Can the Attorney General Appoint a Special Counsel?
    Aug 29, 2024 – 55:17
  • The State of the American Idea
    Aug 22, 2024 – 53:00
  • The History of Illiberalism in America
    Aug 16, 2024 – 01:03:27
  • The Constitutional Legacy of Watergate 
    Aug 8, 2024 – 52:21
  • President Biden’s Proposed Supreme Court Reforms
    Aug 2, 2024 – 01:05:09
  • The Evolution of Originalism
    Jul 25, 2024 – 56:10
  • Judge David Tatel on Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice
    Jul 18, 2024 – 01:01:45
  • Presidential Immunity From the Founding to Today
    Jul 12, 2024 – 53:39
  • Trump v. United States and the National Security Constitution
    Jul 2, 2024 – 01:01:38
  • Recapping the Supreme Court’s 2023-24 Term
    Jun 29, 2024 – 56:29
  • The Interbellum Constitution
    Jun 20, 2024 – 59:55
  • Can the Constitution Serve as a Document of National Unity?
    Jun 13, 2024 – 01:02:52
  • The Trump Verdict and the Rule of Law
    Jun 6, 2024 – 01:01:36
  • The Supreme Court Upholds South Carolina’s Voting Map
    May 31, 2024 – 58:26
  • Lincoln’s Lessons: Then and Now
    May 23, 2024 – 01:01:10
  • The Battle Over Free Speech on Campus
    May 16, 2024 – 01:04:16
  • Democracy Checkup: Preparing for the 2024 Election
    May 10, 2024 – 59:22
  • Meet the Facebook Supreme Court
    May 3, 2024 – 01:04:08
  • Is President Trump Immune From Prosecution?
    Apr 25, 2024 – 52:57
  • America’s Most Consequential Elections: From FDR to Reagan
    Apr 18, 2024 – 01:00:48
  • Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment
    Apr 11, 2024 – 01:00:46
  • Founding Partisans: Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson, Adams and the Brawling Birth of American Politics
    Apr 4, 2024 – 01:01:21
  • Justice Stephen Breyer on Reading the Constitution
    Mar 29, 2024 – 01:05:36
  • Can the Government Pressure Private Companies to Stifle Speech?
    Mar 22, 2024 – 53:08
  • Democracy, Populism, and the Tyranny of the Minority
    Mar 14, 2024 – 01:02:50
  • The Supreme Court Says States Can’t Keep Trump Off the Ballot
    Mar 8, 2024 – 55:49
  • Can Texas and Florida Ban Viewpoint Discrimination on Social Media Platforms?
    Mar 1, 2024 – 59:58
  • The Pursuit of Happiness: A Conversation with Jeffrey Rosen and Jeffrey Goldberg
    Feb 22, 2024 – 01:05:24
  • The Founders, the Pursuit of Happiness, and the Virtuous Life
    Feb 15, 2024 – 01:12:30
  • The Constitution Drafting Project: A Discussion of Five New Amendments
    Feb 9, 2024 – 56:51
  • David Hume and the Ideas That Shaped America
    Feb 1, 2024 – 59:49
  • Unpacking the Supreme Court’s Tech Term
    Jan 25, 2024 – 58:06
  • Will The Supreme Court Overturn Chevron?
    Jan 19, 2024 – 58:16
  • Should President Trump Be Allowed on the 2024 Ballot?
    Jan 11, 2024 – 01:00:16
  • From Spies to Leakers: The History of the Espionage Act
    Jan 4, 2024 – 01:04:23
  • Loyalists vs. Patriots and the American Revolution
    Dec 28, 2023 – 01:01:02
  • Jeffrey Rosen Talks With Peter Slen About Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ “The Common Law”
    Dec 21, 2023 – 01:29:10
  • A Conversation with Robert Post on the Taft Court
    Dec 14, 2023 – 58:28
  • How Far Does Congress’ Taxing Power Go?
    Dec 8, 2023 – 55:45
  • The Future of the Securities & Exchange Commission
    Dec 1, 2023 – 50:12
Recent Reviews
  • lamby183
    Guest Selectivity- Platforming Conservative Hacks
    Many non-partisan media shows suffer from this issue, but you can’t platform right wing hacks and pretend you are unbiased. Putting them on as if they speak in good faith is in itself a form of bias. Sarah Isgur is a right wing hack and has no credibility on the law or in any legitimate legal circle. On almost any issue Sarah debates and equivocates in bad faith. As per usual, her conservative method of analysis is to accept what the court says as fact, despite the obvious holes, and then say “look, it must be right, they wouldn’t spin or lie and they have no agenda.” People understand that it is very difficult to get a reasonably mature or “normal” conservative to speak outside their bubble, but that shouldn’t mean you lower the bar for them. Don’t platform people who are fail to critically assess legal opinions and instead only see them through their political bias. Sarah Isgur cannot remove her conservative colored glasses. Amplifying that viewpoint injured the show’s nonpartisan stance.
  • RCMS_1776
    More people need to seriously consider the constitution
    Thank you for the discussions. I particularly enjoyed the discussion with Alison LaCroix and William B. Allen. As an immigrant I understood the constitution better than most, but still don’t know enough. In recent years, it seems to me there are forces seeking to destroy this country. Keep in mind that we have a Supreme Court justice who does not know what a Woman is. If you can redefine Woman, you can redefine freedom, patriotism, honesty, integrity, or any other word. With regard to succession, we had better hope that is an option. Do not look to the constitution or the civil war to decide this issue, but rather the Declaration of Independence. With the insanity of the authoritarian left, a total collapse of America is a very real possibility.
  • JD.VD.CO
    Unbiased?
    Another publicly funded (or created) outlet that try’s to put forth an “unbiased” show and yet is clearly left. I’ve not heard a single show that doesn’t take the Biden/Democrat side.
  • kat11:27
    Will SCOTUS overturn CHEVRON EPISODE
    Hi, I am listening to Tim rebut Chris’s point about public accountability. He says that agencies do not allow for accountability to the voters and that is simply not true. Agencies have a very strict administrative rule making process that REQUIRES NOTICE AND COMMENT from the public and only that after that process can the agency begin to write the rules for the legislation. So what is he talking about? There is a process already built in for accountability to the voters. I took an Administrative Law class in grad school and the APA IS SUPER STRICT. Q: for Tim: Using your logic about the constitutionality of Chevron, do you think judicial review (Marbury v. Madison) should be overturned? This case gave SCOTUS their judicial review power, not the Constitution.
  • cryptic phrasing
    Smart, but approachable, view of the law
    I am continually amazed by the job Jeffrey Rosen and this podcast do in making contemporary and historical legal issues interesting and educational, even to non-lawyers like me.
  • mad overlord
    Serious issues with bad faith “conservatives”
    I understand this is a both-sides approach to looking at issues; however, a bit more effort should be put into recruiting conservative voices that are informed and interested in engaging in good faith debate. This does not mean the “liberal” voice is always correct, but the consistency of disinformation from the right side of the panel is hard to ignore. It has not improved.
  • writemor
    Embracing plurality and diversity as a solution
    Information dissemination in the 21st century - the nucleus of multiple crises in America. So great to have reasoned and good-humored experts identify problems and propose solutions. Perhaps Mr. Musk will tune in. Ms Smith perpetuates the impulse to recreate Jim Crow laws in a new guise - free speech. Joshua makes a clear and convincing case for the chaos such a ruling in favor of Smith would unleash and the setback for civil rights. Thank you for celebrating Ned Blackhawk’s monumental book. I have read it and will look for Brenda Child’s book about the boarding schools for native children. Organizations like The National Constitution Center can override the damage some leaders are doing by further truncating the American history curriculum.
  • Willowes
    Love this
    Love this podcast!!! I love learning and you make it so easy
  • This Ken
    Just another leftist podcast.
    Why is it that when any organization takes government funding they become a reliable mouthpiece for the leftist elites who feel entitled to rule. The national Constitution Center is one of the reasons America elected Trump twice and why the only chance our country has to survive as a free republic is to elect Trump for a third time so the leftist elites can be brought under the control of the American people instead of the people being controlled by the leftist elites.
  • QuiLoxx
    What happened to presenting both sides?
    I have been a long time listener of this podcast
  • YvetteR2011
    Great Podcast!
    This podcast is wonderful for learning more about the application of The Constitution in our democracy. It provides practical explanations and helps people understand how our government was designed to work, with some cool historical analysis thrown in. I am loving all the great guests and information!
  • chandleryesfriends
    Great fair podcast
    I really like this podcast-especially some of the archive about the history of the Supreme Court and the influence of some of the founding fathers.
  • Zac2597
    Your Liberal Guests are really very polite
    The disinformation; or alternative facts; or plain distortion of facts which comes from Many of the more conservative guests on this platform is difficult to ignore. The liberal leaning guests would politely disagree in an attempt to refute ridiculous and sometimes outrageous claims. I won’t continue to follow this increasingly disappointing podcast where one side debates in good faith and one side just lies.
  • with all due respect
    A gentle reproach
    I’m so thankful for TCC. I struggled with “Break up w/ the Founders” episode. There were too many panelists and an ideological imbalance at that. I find Dr. Roosevelt a dubious voice whose historic pedigree buys him undue influence. He seems to fundamentally misunderstand Locke, whose Second Treaty he abuses to buttress a book-selling opinion on “All men are created equal.” He’s not a good voice for TCC. I find him amateurish compared to other guests left, right, and center.
  • nattfield
    Revealing but Disappointing
    The Center’s podcast offers a peek under the hood at the legal machinations driving the deliberation of our most basic rights and freedoms. But with it’s uncritical, equal time focus on the legal arguments, it’s become merely a forum to launder arguments made in bad faith as cover for what in fact are the right’s political and social objectives pursued through packed federal courts.
  • Big House Boy
    Great!
    Love it!!
  • dennis.karpf
    Dennis D. Karpf
    An excellent presentation of competing progressive and moderate/conservative perspectives. Yet Mr. Rosen fails to question underlying definitions of judicial philosophy as influencing judicial interpretation and construction. A prominent example is the utter failure of Mr. Shaw to define “diversity” as rationalization for race as a consideration in the two college admissions cases in most recent podcast. Indeed none of the SCOTUS justices even raised such fundamental question when invoked by the defendants during oral argument to sidestep issue of the reality of racial preference (under 14th Amendment) by First Amendment claim of “diversity.” Intellectual honesty is not so served.
  • Constitution Wrangler
    We The People
    Where else can you find substantive debates about and the intellectual basis for our constitutional democracy? Jeffrey Rosen and his team are providing the nation with a free education on ways to argue using the people's document.
  • Ryczard
    Needs a critical reset
    I was an avid listener until the woefully inadequate discussion of the Dobbs decision and the descent of SCOTUS into the netherworld of irrationality.
  • Sentry581
    Fantastic
    My favorite podcast. Thoughtful, respectful discussion among distinguished scholars. I’m a lawyer, but you certainly don’t need to be one to enjoy this podcast. Highly recommend.
  • Ranger R.
    Fantastic show!
    Fantastic, in depth, nuanced shows…you’ll really understand the issues it covers after an episode. The moderator sometimes fawns over the guests (“thanks SO much for that!”) but the show certainly models thoughtful, nuanced, and respectful debate/discussion.
  • Sarah Lama
    Fantastic
    Love the deep dive on amendments, interviews with justices, and respectful conversations. Never thought I’d be later downloading the text of Supreme Court cases or listening to oral arguments (see Oyez podcast!) but this podcast whets the appetite to learn more. Host is an excellent facilitator, very knowledgeable and unflaggingly cheerful which I think helps encourage civil and constructive disagreement among guests (of various backgrounds and political leanings).
  • eggomyasso
    Calm and respectful and intelligent.
    I’ve been listening back through the Florida HB 1557 episode and was blown away with how great Joshua Matz was. So clearly spoken and thoughtful in his responses. He has an accessible way of laying out the argument that makes it easy to follow. Please have him back!
  • Wes Heard
    Great enlightenment!
    I went to law school years ago, never passed the bar, but this material fascinated me! Everyone needs to avail themselves of this great podcast. Truly amazing.
  • frankbankshmank
    More partisan than billed
    I've been looking for content that takes a fair and balanced approach to current events and contentious points in our world and unfortunately this show comes up short as it has proved unable to shake its political leanings.
  • ophir 9136
    Disappointing end to what was my favorite podcast
    Tried to find a nonpartisan podcast on the constitution. All was well for 6 months until the latest episode which accuses Republican senators of questioning the recent Supreme Court appointee to specifically gain favorability with the Q anon crowd (with 0 evidence). Had a fan of the show. Just lost one. Disappointing.
  • gomi172
    Informative, balanced and respectful
    I just love the respectful, informative discussions presented in this podcast. Jeffrey Rosen and the We The People team consistently produce high quality, timely content featuring guests with deep knowledge of the US Constitution, its application and history. Just the sort of show we need during these fractious times.
  • tyftyvyigyugoury
    Vital Work For Our Future
    Please give the NCC a listen. They take the temperature down on divisive issues and March the discussion forward. Please consider donating!
  • J. Ryskamp
    Fair and Balanced, but actually
    I love this podcast and if the Supreme Court interests you, you will love it too. They do a great job of having guests who are thoughtful and opinionated and have totally different views on important topics but at the same time almost never are they swarmy or rude. It’s a great example of how reasoned discussion and debate can still exist and is a fundamental part of our democracy. Well done.
  • 57OOO
    Left leaning biased
    Tries to present as unbiased we look at both sides; but can tell it is lopsided to left. Wish it gave more facts less opinions
  • Rainbow_turtle
    Always Civil
    I really enjoy how the participants on this podcast remain civil with one another even when debating constitutional issues that I would consider extremely polarizing or opinion defining. It is nice to hear people able to show both sides of issues.
  • Piculina
    Informative and courteous
    I thoroughly enjoy listening to the informed and respectful discussions and debates on this podcast. Keep up the good work.
  • Nesorneb
    A Civic House Built on Rock
    The National Constitution Center, including this podcast, is an essential resource for our nation. 2020 has been a year of disruption &, in many ways, revolution. While our nation’s roots can be said to be firmly planted in the soil of disruption & revolution, our Founders struggled with (& seemed to embrace) the tension between the emotional & the rational, the ideal & the real and other such existential tensions. Our nation has, collectively, witnessed our strongest & weakest instincts manifest in one historic wave after another. Ironically, there can be a tendency to neglect our nation’s history in the midst of these present historic waves. The National Constitution Center provides essential sails & a rudder to help us captain & crew the ship of our nation. It does so by struggling with & embracing the tensions of our nation’s history through the lens of our nation’s history.
  • ChafeW
    My favorite part of the week
    First the jazzy intro music sets up an enjoyable variable amount of time spent with imminent legal scholars. As someone who loves reading about history and law but is in the medical profession by day, this podcast helps me feel engaged and educated. As said in other reviews, start with the Constitution project.
  • Oopsawally
    awesome podcast
    just a comment about the march 25 and takings ... it’s commercial, there is no livingroom. It is not a home. It is a business with multiple employees mingling continually amidst the union reps. There is no solo man sitting on a couch with the image that the family is huddled in the kitchen all put out. This is a grasp by mcnamara et al and the employers they represent to oppress and limit access to rights for workers.
  • The Chickenman
    Increase Your Understanding of the Constitution
    Professor Rosen does an excellent job as moderator of this weekly podcast. If you want to gain insights into and develop a better understanding the Constitution of the United States then “We The People” is the podcast for you.
  • english099
    Agree to disagree
    Informed civil discourse!!!! Thanks Jeff
  • MPabroad
    Vital
    Ready to listen to experts instead of pundits? Want to understand how the Constitution works instead of how it can be evoked to best serve a particular ideology? Me too. That’s why I love this podcast.
  • philliesfan1000
    Fascinating and valuable
    I love the National Constitution Center podcasts! Valuable civics lessons and fascinating discussions and debates! I feel engaged and learn a lot from them.
  • nwongcole
    Enjoy and also
    The podcast is unique in its ability to gather academics of the American justice system with a lens of constitutional law. Where it lacks is in its continual dismissal of the many America’s that exist in relation to the constitution with a strong favor towards white america and white academics who are incapable of seeing their own whiteness and understanding parts of our culture that do not lend themselves easily to white people and others who do not live completely integrated lives. Example: the latest episode having arguments comparing the 1619 project, to the 1776 report; and speaking against what white elite liberals and conservative people alike call “cancel culture” which is the group appropriation equivalent of the “angry black woman” trope which shuts down avenues of deep seeded truth, and replaces it with erasure and white supremacy. It would be nice to have panels where zero white people exist an equal amount to the opposite. I’ll keep listening, sometimes reluctantly, because I have a desire to learn. Even if that learning is limited by the white gaze.
  • Miguelito2017
    Too Political.
    The show has a lot of potential but it’s execution is too political. The host and most of his guests are obviously liberal legal academics trying to portray themselves as unbiased commentators. Even the episode titles have a liberal bent. It’s totally fine for people to be liberal, conservative, indifferent, etc, and it’s fine for those people to have podcasts. Just be honest about your convictions and don’t try to act like you’re “above the fray” of politics and simply stating facts. More conservative guests might help balance the show but there’s not many of them in academia.
  • american history nut
    Love it
    Awesome. Get views from all sides. Most entertaining educational podcast.
  • SKMCreview
    New favorite podcast
    I discovered this podcast in seeking out legal commentary from diverse viewpoints on constitutional issues and current events and this has been wonderful. The podcast has a variety of expert voices who approach an issue from differing perspectives, modeling civil dialogue and making for intellectually stimulating discussion! I have already had several insights become helpful in discussions with others on political and constitutional topics. Thank you so much for this wonderful offering!
  • Dan the man 5566
    Very informative
    Very bipartisan and do a great job of having scholars from all perspectives on. Great resource and has taught me a ton about the government and the constitution.
  • Attycan
    Educational!
    This is the best podcast about the American constitution. Keep up the good work!
  • eirnneley
    Hi.
    I always find this podcast very informative. I learn a lot.
  • We're All Just Leaves
    Best yet incite into events of a remarkable day
    I’ve been listening to and watching presentations by the NCC for several years. The discussion of Constitutional implications and guidance related to the storming of the US Capitol and the incitement of that mob on January 6, 2021, by the outgoing President was the best yet. It clarified for me many issues that other recent, media conversations left dangling helplessly. Thank you Jeff Rosen and all NCC staff and discussants!
  • ghutrevjutrdvsewuio
    Seriously, John Yoo
    In the latest episode you have John Yoo on your panel of legal scholars. Is this the same John Yoo that wrote the famous Torture Memos for the Bush administration?
  • fafr9
    Excellent Resource
    We the People is an outstanding podcast and wonderful resource for anyone interested in learning more about American government—teachers, students, or anyone really.
  • 693Cd
    Excellent coverage of the topic
    LEARNING A LOT ABOUT OUR CONSTITUTION. MUCH APPRECIATED. TOO BAD MORE PEOPLE DONT GET THE BUG.
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