The President Probably Can Pardon Himself, But If He Does He Should Be Impeached

Based on a strict reading of the Constitution, a sitting President probably does have the power to pardon himself. That doesn’t mean he should be allowed to get away with it without consequence.

In Narrow Ruling, Supreme Court Sides With Baker In Same-Sex Wedding Discrimination Case

In an exceedingly narrow ruling, the Supreme Court sided with a Colorado baker who refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding reception. However, the ruling did not address the broader issues raised by the case.

Trump Administration Argues It Didn’t Need Congressional Authorization To Attack Syria

Echoing the Obama Administration, the Trump Administration is arguing that it did not need Congressional authorization to attack Syria earlier this year.

Is The E.R.A. Really Just One State Away From Ratification? Maybe, Maybe Not.

Earlier this week, the Illinois legislature ratified the Equal Rights Amendment. What’s unclear is if this act has any meaning at all.

Supreme Court Places Limits On Automobile Exception To Fourth Amendment

Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that a police officer violated the Fourth Amendment when he conducted a search on a vehicle parked in a Defendant’s driveway without a search warrant.

Trump: If You Don’t Stand For The Anthem, Maybe You Should Leave The Country

President Trump’s response to the N.F.L.’s new National Anthem policy is as narrow-minded and divisive as you’d expected it to be.

Federal Judge: Trump Cannot Block People On Twitter For Political Reasons

A Federal Judge in New York has ruled that President Trump cannot block users from reading his tweets.

It’s Time To Eliminate The Presidency’s ‘Natural Born Citizen’ Requirement

The requirement that the President be a “natural born citizen” is a historical anachronism that has outlived its usefulness or necessity.

Attacking Syria Without Congressional Authorization Would Be Illegal

Without Congressional authorization, any attack on Syria would be illegal, but don’t expect Congress to do anything about it.

States Renew An Old Argument Against Obamacare

A group of twenty states have revived an old argument to mount a new legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act.

Trump Administration Claims It Needs No Legal Authorization To Keep Troops In Syria

Continuing a long-standard tradition, the Trump Administration claims it doesn’t need to get legal authorization to keep American troops in Syria.

Maryland and Washington, D.C. Sue Trump Over Alleged Emoluments Clause Violations

Maryland and the District of Columbia are suing President Trump based on alleged violations of two provisions of the Constitution that have never been litigated before.

No, The Electoral College Is Not Unconstitutional

Wherein a law professor makes the absurd argument that the Electoral College, which exists pursuant to the Constitution, is unconstitutional.

Term Limits Only A Partial Solution To The Problems Plaguing Congress

Congressional term limits are a good idea, but they are only a partial solution at best and may not be the best solution to the problems facing our political system.

New Jersey Judge Rules Ted Cruz Is A “Natural Born Citizen”

A New Jersey judge, along with a Judge in Pennsylvania, is among the first to rule on the meaning of the ‘natural born citizen’ clause.

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore Declares War On The Constitution

Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore tells Probate Judges they should not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, in clear defiance of the law and his duties as an officer of the Court.

Our Feckless Congress Is Shirking Its Constitutional Duties On The War Against ISIS

Yesterday, the British Parliament debated the expansion of that nation’s military strikes against ISIS. For more than a year, our cowardly Congress has failed to even hold one debate or vote on America’s role in that conflict.

House Republicans Pass Unconstitutional, Doomed, Pandering Abortion Bill

As expected, the Republican-controlled House passed a bill that would ban most abortions after twenty weeks. It also happens to be completely unconstitutional and has no chance of actually becoming law.

Eliminate Midterm Elections? Only If You Want To Make Congress Even Less Representative

Two Duke University academics make an incredibly weak, ultimately unpersuasive, argument in favor of eliminating midterm elections by changing the length of Congressional terms.

Do We Need A Bigger House Of Representatives?

Would increasing the size of the House of Representatives be the cure for what ails Congress?

Time For A Single, Six-Year, Presidential Term?

An idea whose time has come? Not really.

Federal Court Of Appeals Rejects New Constitutional Challenge To Obamacare

A Federal Appeals Court has rejected a challenge to Obamacare based on a somewhat obscure provision of the Constitution.

Six Californias? It May Be On The Ballot In 2016, But It Probably Won’t Happen

A Silicon Valley businessman says he has enough signatures to get it on the ballot, but the plan to break California up into six states is most assuredly going nowhere.

Speaker Boehner To File Lawsuit Against Obama Over Executive Actions

A clash over Separation Of Power and the Imperial Presidency, coming soon to a Federal District Court in Washington, D.C.

Why It Matters That Obama Didn’t Follow The Law In The Bergdahl Release Deal

Good intentions and good results aside, the President’s disrespect for the Rule Of Law should concern everyone.

Michigan Mayor Permits ‘Prayer Stations’ At City Hall, Bans Atheists, Violates Constitution

Someone needs to give the Mayor of Warren, Michigan a lesson on what the First Amendment means.

Is A Stronger Executive The Cure For What Ails American Government?

David Brooks thinks that the problem with American Government is that the Presidency isn’t strong enough.

The Fourth Of July And The Fourth Amendment

Contemporary Americans accept actions by the state that were once the cause for revolt.

Reflections On The 4th Of July In Light Of The Coup In Egypt

Yesterday’s coup in Egypt, a day before we celebrate our own independence, reminds us of something else worth celebrating.

Supreme Court Accepts Appeal In Recess Appointments Case

The Supreme Court accepts what will likely be one of the most important cases of its upcoming term.

Taxing Ammunition

Taxing Ammunition Should Be Considered to Reduce Gun Violence

Liability Insurance for Guns

Would Liability Insurance Help Minimize Threats to Public Safety?

Right of the People

Sharing some thoughts and soliciting feedback on what the 2nd amendment means.

Is It Too Hard To Amend The Constitution?

Did the Founding Fathers make it too hard to amend the Constitution? No, they didn’t.

Is “Twitter Stalking” Free Speech?

A case pending in Maryland raises the question of when boorish online behavior crosses the line from protected speech to criminal act.

Florida’s ‘Drug Tests For Welfare Recipients’ Law Is, Most Likely, Unconstitutional

Florida’s new law requiring welfare recipients to pass drug tests seems to clearly violate the Fourth Amendment.

Would America Be Better Off With A Parliamentary Government?

Is America’s political system to blame for our current problems?

Geither: Defaulting on Debt Unconstitutional

The Obama administration is arguing the 14th Amendment renders the debt ceiling moot.

The Unconstitutional Constitution

While the Constitutionality of the War Powers Act is indeed dubious, the fact that it was passed over Nixon’s veto isn’t the reason.

Ron Paul Says He Would Have Voted Against The 1964 Civil Rights Act

Thanks to an appearance on Hardball we’ve got another story about a 47 year old law.

Alabama Sharia Law Ban

An Alabama legislator wants to ban the use of Islamic law in the state’s courts — just in case Muslims take over.

Jerry Seinfeld Can Mock Missy Chase Lapine

A New York judge has sided with comedian Jerry Seinfeld in a bizarre lawsuit by a crazy woman who writes cookbooks.

Obama Administration Will No Longer Defend DOMA In Court

Huge news in the marriage equality debate today as the Obama Administration has decided not to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court anymore.

I Get Emails About History

Arizona Hates The Constitution, Loves Nullification

Arizona looks to be the latest state to try to revive the discredited doctrine of nullification.

In (Partial) Defense of Ezra Klein

I don’t like it when things my allies say are misquoted and attacked; it’s no better when my allies do it.

What’s a Lame Duck Congress to Do?

Some Republican Senators-elect are imploring Harry Reid not to consider any treaties during the lame duck session.

Repeal the 17th Amendment?

Why would returning to the system of allowing state legislatures to choose Senators improve representation?

Sarah Palin Defends Dr. Laura, Gets First Amendment Wrong (Again)

Sarah Palin decided to get involved in the “Doctor Laura” Schlessinger controversy, and in the process displayed a blatant misunderstanding of the First Amendment.

Against the Electoral College II: Not As Framers Intended

In the first entry in this series we looked at a basic question of democratic theory. In this one, we look at whether the EC ever worked as the Framers intended.