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A weekly show from the National Constitution Center hosted by Julie Silverbrook and Tom Donnelly where listeners can hear the best arguments on all sides of the constitutional issues at the center of American life.

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Artwork for We the People

Latest Episodes

The National Constitution Center recently published The Promise of America: Reflections on Our Enduring Ideals (Simon & Schuster), a keepsake collection of essays bringing together leading thinkers from across perspectives to reflect on the ideals at... more

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In this episode, Michael Auslin joins to discuss his new book, National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America, a sweeping and vivid history of the Declaration of Independence from its drafting to its enduring role in American lif... more

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In this episode, Jonathan Adler of William & Mary Law School and Stephen Vladeck of Georgetown University Law Center explore a part of the Supreme Court’s work that has drawn growing public attention: its emergency, or “shadow,” docket. Julie Silverb... more

On April 29, 2026, in Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court invalidated a Louisiana congressional map, holding that racial considerations cannot predominate in the drawing of electoral districts. The ruling narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights A... more

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Recent Guests

Michael Auslin
Author of National Treasure, historian
Stanford University
Episode: Michael Auslin on National Treasure
Jonathan Adler
Professor of law at William & Mary Law School; author and commentator
William & Mary Law School
Episode: Jonathan Adler and Stephen Vladeck Debate the Use of the “Shadow Docket” on the Roberts Court
Stephen Vladeck
Professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center; author of The Shadow Docket
Georgetown University Law Center
Episode: Jonathan Adler and Stephen Vladeck Debate the Use of the “Shadow Docket” on the Roberts Court
Edward Foley
Professor of Law, Ohio State University; election law expert
Ohio State University
Episode: Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Congressional Map
Michael Morley
Professor of Law, Florida State University; election emergencies, voting rights
Florida State University
Episode: Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Congressional Map
Robert Williams
Distinguished professor of law emeritus at Rutgers University School of Law
Rutgers University
Episode: Revolutionary State Constitutions
Nicholas Cole
Senior research fellow of Pembroke College, University of Oxford; director of the Quill Project
Pembroke College, University of Oxford
Episode: Revolutionary State Constitutions
Mary Beth Norton
Mary Donlon Alger Professor Emerita of American History at Cornell University
Cornell University
Episode: Women and the American Revolution
Rosy Zagarri
Distinguished University Professor of History at George Mason University
George Mason University
Episode: Women and the American Revolution

Hosts

Tom Donnelly
Host/Co-host affiliated with National Constitution Center.
Julie Silverbrook
Host of the program; affiliated with National Constitution Center.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Used to be my favorite show

    What happened to this podcast? Please return to primarily debating Supreme Court arguments and opinions with an occasional historical show.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    DJ French Fry
    United States2 months ago
  • Used to be about debate

    Jeff used to host regular, weekly debates on current constitutional questions between reputable scholars who engaged with ideas, not ideology.

    These days it seems to be a weekly history lesson with occasional focused debate over an immediate issue.

    I feel they are trying to avoid controversy and neglecting their mission.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Daishi52
    United States2 months ago
  • Afraid of discussing important cases

    This used to be one of my favorite podcasts, but since early 2025 they’ve shied away from discussing the actual merits of arguments being made. This is doubly true for issues that the current administration has strong feelings about. I’m not saying they’re partisan, but you can tell they’re playing it safe since they’re “chartered by congress”. It’s sad to see. I really appreciated hearing opposing opinions for the most hotly debated issues. There’s tons of podcasts out there that cover historic... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    chadley426
    United States2 months ago
  • This is the most persistently disappointing podcast I know of. The topics are consistently interesting, and I'm always eager to learn more about them. The discussions seem like a boring overly officious polite class, rather than engaging and provocative. Maybe it's so eager to be non-partisan that it's pablum. It's certainly notable today that as we go through huge changes, I don't hear any meaningful challenge, nor do I gain an appreciation of other views. Rome crumbles and I hear blah bl... more

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Winston Smith
    4 months ago
  • Jeffrey Rosen is We the People

    I am a long time listener because of Jeffrey Rosen. His knowledge and love for our country and his mastering of our constitution and how this country evolved the way it has makes him the primary reason for people to come to this podcast and learn. I’m afraid I won’t be listening anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laurakkd
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High praise for moderation and depth, with some calls for broader conservative voices.
Some reviews suggest a perceived bias or move toward historical storytelling over debate.
Critiques mention bias concerns and preference for more direct argumentation over history lessons.
Listeners praise thoughtful, balanced debates and high-caliber guests.
Positive feedback highlights accessible, thoughtful discussion by scholars.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Michael Auslin on National Treasure
Q: Why did you choose to focus on the physical parchment rather than only the text or ideas in the Declaration?
Because the material object makes the history tangible and shows how Americans interacted with it through time, from war to display, conservation to reproduction, which in turn reveals how the document shaped civic life and identity.
Ellen DuBois on the Revolutionary Life of Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Q: Why did you choose to write this book and why now?
I've lived with Stanton's life for decades, drawn to her relentless energy, breadth of concerns, and the way she connected personal autonomy to public reform, arguing that her work extended beyond suffrage to a broader vision of individual liberty and democratic possibility.
Supreme Court Rules Trump’s Tariffs Unlawful Under IEEPA
Q: Zach, anything you want to weigh in on and what Congress might be able to do to help address the fallout from the decision?
Expect a messy, costly refund process for importers, with potential congressional responses to compensate victims of the tariffs; the administration may push other tariff tools, but courts may scrutinize them closely.
Supreme Court Rules Trump’s Tariffs Unlawful Under IEEPA
Q: Zach, let's start with you. Before we really dig in on the doctrine, help ground us in the facts of the case. What exactly did President Trump do under IEPA and what did the court ultimately hold?
IEPA/IEPA-like authorities were used to impose broad tariffs on imports, but the Court held that IEPA does not authorize such sweeping tariffs and struck them down under the Major Questions Doctrine and ordinary statutory interpretation.
The Lost Founder: James Wilson
Q: What does Wilson's life and legacy teach us about the challenges and possibilities facing American democracy today?
Wilson's ideas about popular sovereignty and the ultimate authority of the people highlight the ongoing struggle for true democratic governance in America.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About We the People

What is We the People about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly, civics-forward discussion featuring scholars, legal experts, and historians who unpack constitutional issues and American civic life. Episodes typically center on Supreme Court dynamics, voting rights, historic documents, and the evolving interpretation of the Constitution, often weighing historical context against contemporary policy questions. A notable strength is bringing rigorous legal analysis to broad audiences, with guests ranging from law professors to historians and political thinkers, creating a steady stream of thoughtful, policy-relevant conversations. Listeners may appreciate in-depth debates, historical perspectives, and accessible explanations of complex legal questions, though some critiques mention a perceived bi... more

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1. Amarica's Constitution
2. Divided Argument
3. Advisory Opinions
4. The Lawfare Podcast
5. U.S. Supreme Court Oral Arguments

How many episodes of We the People are there?

We the People launched 21 years ago and published 624 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on We the People?

Recent guests on We the People include:

1. Michael Auslin
2. Jonathan Adler
3. Stephen Vladeck
4. Edward Foley
5. Michael Morley
6. Robert Williams
7. Nicholas Cole
8. Mary Beth Norton

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