In June of 2023, Donald Trump was charged with 37 counts of alleged mishandling of classified documents, as well as obstruction of justice. Of those 37 counts, 31 are alleged violations of the Espionage Act. Now, since its passage after World War I, thousands of people have been investigated for violating the Espionage Act, including Julian Assange, Daniel Ellsberg, and Donald Trump. However, only two people have been executed for violating it during peacetime; Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. This episode features Anne Sebba, author of Ethel Rosenberg: A Cold War Tragedy, and Jake Kobrick, Associate Historian at the Federal Judicial Center. It explains the Espionage Act of 1917, the accusations against the Rosenbergs, the twists and turns of their trial, and their execution in 1953. 

In June of 2023, Donald Trump was charged with 37 counts of alleged mishandling of classified documents, as well as obstruction of justice. Of those 37 counts, 31 are alleged violations of the Espionage Act. Now, since its passage after World War I, thousands of people have been investigated for violating the Espionage Act, including Julian Assange, Daniel Ellsberg, and Donald Trump. However, only two people have been executed for violating it during peacetime; Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. This episode features <a href="https://annesebba.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anne Sebba</a>, author of Ethel Rosenberg: A Cold War Tragedy, and Jake Kobrick, Associate Historian at the <a href="https://www.fjc.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Federal Judicial Center</a>. It explains the Espionage Act of 1917, the accusations against the Rosenbergs, the twists and turns of their trial, and their execution in 1953.

When Espionage Means The Death Penalty

Every president generates millions of records in the course of leading the country: memos, emails, speeches, notes, tweets... There are rules for how those records should be treated, both as historical documents, and as public property, enshrined in the Presidential Records Act. What does the Act say,  and what does it have to do with how former-President Donald Trump handled government documents after leaving office? We talk with Trudy Huskamp Peterson, who worked as an archivist for the National Archives for 24 years, including  serving as Acting Archivist of the United States from 1993-1995.  We also talk with Margaret Kwoka, Professor of Law at Ohio State University and legal expert on information law, government secrecy, and transparency. 

Every president generates millions of records in the course of leading the country: memos, emails, speeches, notes, tweets... There are rules for how those records should be treated, both as historical documents, and as public property, enshrined in the Presidential Records Act. What does the Act say,  and what does it have to do with how former-President Donald Trump handled government documents after leaving office? We talk with <a href="https://www.trudypeterson.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trudy Huskamp Peterson</a>, who worked as an archivist for the National Archives for 24 years, including  serving as Acting Archivist of the United States from 1993-1995.  We also talk with <a href="https://moritzlaw.osu.edu/margaret-kwoka" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Margaret Kwoka</a>, Professor of Law at Ohio State University and legal expert on information law, government secrecy, and transparency.

The Presidential Records Act

Moore v Harper

In June 2023, the Supreme Court determined that states do not have independent and exclusive authority when it comes to federal election rules. By the time they issued the majority opinion, it no longer mattered in the state that started it all. So what happened in Moore v Harper? What is (or was) the Independent State Legislature Theory, and what other powers did the court vest in itself in this opinion?Carolyn Shapiro, founder and co-director of Chicago-Kent's Institute on the Supreme Court of the United States, is our guide.

In June 2023, the Supreme Court determined that states do not have independent and exclusive authority when it comes to federal election rules. By the time they issued the majority opinion, it no longer mattered in the state that started it all. So what happened in Moore v Harper? What is (or was) the Independent State Legislature Theory, and what other powers did the court vest in itself in this opinion?<a href="https://kentlaw.iit.edu/law/faculty-scholarship/faculty-directory/carolyn-shapiro" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Carolyn Shapiro</a>, founder and co-director of Chicago-Kent's Institute on the Supreme Court of the United States, is our guide.

What Moore v Harper Means for Elections

Today is the first part in a series about the state of civic education in the US. In this episode, we gauge how we're doing civics-wise and then delve into the perpetually controversial history of history; have we ever agreed upon a narrative for our nation that we can teach students?Walking us through the past, present, and future of social studies and civic education are Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, and Adam Laats, Historian and Professor of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership at Binghamton University. 

Today is the first part in a series about the state of civic education in the US. In this episode, we gauge how we're doing civics-wise and then delve into the perpetually controversial history of history; have we ever agreed upon a narrative for our nation that we can teach students?Walking us through the past, present, and future of social studies and civic education are <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/danielleallen/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Danielle Allen</a>, James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, and <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/tlel/faculty-and-staff/profile.html?id=alaats" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adam Laats</a>, Historian and Professor of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership at Binghamton University.

Civics Education 1: What Do We Teach?

You probably associate the so-called "War on Drugs" with the Reagans. Or maybe, more correctly, with the Nixon administration. But the government's anti-drug policies started decades before that.And, as we discuss in this week's episode, those policies were often motivated by things other than public health and safety. Instead, they targeted - and continue to target - immigrants and communities of color. This episode digs into the history of America's War on Drugs, featuring guests Jason Ruiz and Yasser Arafat Payne. MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT OUR WORK!

You probably associate the so-called "War on Drugs" with the Reagans. Or maybe, more correctly, with the Nixon administration. But the government's anti-drug policies started decades before that.And, as we discuss in this week's episode, those policies were often motivated by things other than public health and safety. Instead, they targeted - and continue to target - immigrants and communities of color. This episode digs into the history of America's War on Drugs, featuring guests <a href="https://cla.umn.edu/american-studies/news-events/profile/profile-jason-ruiz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jason Ruiz</a> and <a href="https://www.africanastudies.udel.edu/people/ypayne" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yasser Arafat Payne</a>. <a href="https://bit.ly/3YwNNVW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT OUR WORK</a>!

America's "War on Drugs"

A law in Texas banning abortions after six weeks. The blocking of a majority-Black congressional district in Alabama. OSHA regulations requiring vaccinations or a negative COVID test result. All of these controversial issues were decided not through the tried-and-true method of a hearing in the Supreme Court, but rather through a system called "the shadow docket," orders from the court that are (often) unsigned, inscrutable, and handed down in the middle of the night. Professor Stephen Vladeck takes us through this increasingly common phenomenon.IF YOU LOVE OUR WORK, MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT CIVICS 101!This episode originally dropped in May, 2022. 

A law in Texas banning abortions after six weeks. The blocking of a majority-Black congressional district in Alabama. OSHA regulations requiring vaccinations or a negative COVID test result. All of these controversial issues were decided not through the tried-and-true method of a hearing in the Supreme Court, but rather through a system called "the shadow docket," orders from the court that are (often) unsigned, inscrutable, and handed down in the middle of the night. <a href="https://law.utexas.edu/faculty/stephen-i-vladeck" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Professor Stephen Vladeck</a> takes us through this increasingly common phenomenon.<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/nhpr/site/Donation2?df_id=3651&amp;mfc_pref=T&amp;3651.donation=form1&amp;s_src=jan2023&amp;s_subsrc=shownotes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IF YOU LOVE OUR WORK, MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT CIVICS 101!</a>This episode originally dropped in May, 2022.

What Is "The Shadow Docket?"

Oral arguments at the Supreme Court are a window into the personalities, beliefs, and behavior of justices. They allow advocates to engage directly with the highest court in the land about how the law should work in practice. And over the last two decades, as country has become increasingly partisan, they've started to sound very different. We talk about how, why, and what's up with all the interrupting. Helping us break it down is Tonja Jacobi, professor of law and the Sam Nunn Chair of Ethics and Professionalism at Emory School of Law. We talk about several of Jacobi's studies on oral arguments, check them out: Justice, Interrupted: The Effect of Gender, Ideology and Seniority at Supreme Court Oral ArgumentsThe New Oral Argument: Justices as AdvocatesSupreme Court Interruptions and Interventions: The Changing Role of the Chief Justice

Oral arguments at the Supreme Court are a window into the personalities, beliefs, and behavior of justices. They allow advocates to engage directly with the highest court in the land about how the law should work in practice. And over the last two decades, as country has become increasingly partisan, they've started to sound very different. We talk about how, why, and what's up with all the interrupting. Helping us break it down is <a href="https://law.emory.edu/faculty/faculty-profiles/jacobi-profile.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tonja Jacobi</a>, professor of law and the Sam Nunn Chair of Ethics and Professionalism at Emory School of Law. We talk about several of Jacobi's studies on oral arguments, check them out: <a href="https://deliverypdf.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=795006103124026017106080092067089121103082071042023094120093110088028089023116007087035013061121111120055115097014100010075074009043053092041106122108082088125005041081018085030102031104123086000018000027093112101106075126119027000104088107085114002&amp;EXT=pdf&amp;INDEX=TRUE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Justice, Interrupted: The Effect of Gender, Ideology and Seniority at Supreme Court Oral Arguments</a><a href="https://deliverypdf.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=020102027024074104123119074091018014122017071012062030101002077122113068067004122029056029020062102033001067102019093117122112015072091036076107093002004030067090029065064126010002069064002110120110113074097098107101072005101090068119065092020076003&amp;EXT=pdf&amp;INDEX=TRUE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The New Oral Argument: Justices as Advocates</a><a href="https://deliverypdf.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=086103007084113102083021002096124069000031020044032070010081077112002006077007091100034041051001058005046076107083121112006065009054033038035013023088081000028070093065094093077109065022027007083124085122101126112025007126107072081127019070086123085&amp;EXT=pdf&amp;INDEX=TRUE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Supreme Court Interruptions and Interventions: The Changing Role of the Chief Justice</a>

How Have Supreme Court Arguments Changed?

What does it really mean when we call someone a socialist, communist, or fascist? Where did these ideologies come from, and why do we have ideologies in the first place?Today we speak with Patrick McGovern, professor of political science at Buffalo State University, and Susan Kang, professor of political science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and host of Left On Red.

What does it really mean when we call someone a socialist, communist, or fascist? Where did these ideologies come from, and why do we have ideologies in the first place?Today we speak with Patrick McGovern, professor of political science at <a href="https://politicalscience.buffalostate.edu/faculty/patrick-mcgovern" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo State University</a>, and Susan Kang, professor of political science at <a href="https://new.jjay.cuny.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John Jay College of Criminal Justice</a> and host of <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/left-on-red" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Left On Red.</a>

Socialism, Communism, Fascism

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. It also granted them equal protection under the laws and guaranteed due process of law. Those are considered its most important provisions today. That wasn't always the case, however. Why did it take so long for the Supreme Court to affirm these provisions of this significant Amendment, and what does that say about politics at the highest court in the land?Our guide to the 14th Amendment is Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago School of Law.

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. It also granted them equal protection under the laws and guaranteed due process of law. Those are considered its most important provisions today. That wasn't always the case, however. Why did it take so long for the Supreme Court to affirm these provisions of this significant Amendment, and what does that say about politics at the highest court in the land?Our guide to the 14th Amendment is <a href="https://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/huq" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aziz Huq</a>, professor of law at the University of Chicago School of Law.

The 14th Amendment

Recently, news about Justice Clarence Thomas's decades-long friendship with a wealthy Republican megadonor, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts and generosity he's received from that friendship, has led to increased scrutiny into whether Supreme Court justices are as unbiased and uninfluenced as they claim. It's also revealed how, unlike most other federal officials, we rely on the good faith of the justices to hold themselves accountable. Helping us untangle this is Tonja Jacobi, professor of law and the Sam Nunn chair in  Ethics and Professionalism at Emory University School of Law. Don't miss the reporting from ProPublica on Justice Thomas's relationship with Harlan Crow, called "Friends of the Court." 

Recently, news about Justice Clarence Thomas's decades-long friendship with a wealthy Republican megadonor, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts and generosity he's received from that friendship, has led to increased scrutiny into whether Supreme Court justices are as unbiased and uninfluenced as they claim. It's also revealed how, unlike most other federal officials, we rely on the good faith of the justices to hold themselves accountable. Helping us untangle this is <a href="https://law.emory.edu/faculty/faculty-profiles/jacobi-profile.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tonja Jacobi</a>, professor of law and the Sam Nunn chair in  Ethics and Professionalism at Emory University School of Law. Don't miss the reporting from ProPublica on Justice Thomas's relationship with Harlan Crow, called <a href="https://www.propublica.org/series/supreme-court-scotus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Friends of the Court." </a>

Supreme Court Ethics

How do landmark Supreme Court decisions affect our lives? What does the 2nd Amendment really say? Why does the Senate have so much power? Civics 101 is the podcast about how our democracy works…or is supposed to work, anyway.

The federal government has always had debt. How much is too much, and how do politicians exploit it? This episode originally dropped in August 2022, but since the subject is in the news, we've been getting lots of questions about it!SUPPORT OUR WORK - DONATE TO CIVICS 101 TODAY!Since our nation's founding, the federal government has borrowed money from other governments, private investors, and businesses in order to operate. Over the last century, the debt ceiling, a Congressional cap on how much debt we can have, keeps getting higher and higher. We talk about how the national debt works, how it's been used as political leverage, and how that impacts the health of our economy. Louise Sheiner, senior economics fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Michael Dorf, Constitutional law professor at Cornell Law, help us make sense of trillions of dollars in debt. 

The federal government has always had debt. How much is too much, and how do politicians exploit it? This episode originally dropped in August 2022, but since the subject is in the news, we've been getting lots of questions about it!<a href="https://secure3.convio.net/nhpr/site/Donation2?3651.donation=form1&amp;df_id=3651&amp;mfc_pref=T&amp;s_src=cye2020&amp;s_subsrc=website&amp;utm_campaign=Civics%20101%20CYE%202020&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_source=Donate%20Button&amp;_ga=2.140470195.1628418942.1685455969-257406373.1676562912&amp;_gl=1*sdvc3s*_ga*MjU3NDA2MzczLjE2NzY1NjI5MTI.*_ga_WW21GLDX27*MTY4NTQ1NTk2OS4zNS4wLjE2ODU0NTU5NjkuNjAuMC4w" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SUPPORT OUR WORK - DONATE TO CIVICS 101 TODAY!</a>Since our nation's founding, the federal government has borrowed money from other governments, private investors, and businesses in order to operate. Over the last century, the debt ceiling, a Congressional cap on how much debt we can have, keeps getting higher and higher. We talk about how the national debt works, how it's been used as political leverage, and how that impacts the health of our economy. <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/experts/louise-sheiner/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Louise Sheiner</a>, senior economics fellow at the Brookings Institution, and <a href="https://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/faculty-research/faculty-directory/michael-dorf/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michael Dorf</a>, Constitutional law professor at Cornell Law, help us make sense of trillions of dollars in debt.

What's the Debt Ceiling and the National Debt?

What can we do with these invisible magnetic waves in the sky? Today we explore what we can say on the air. Are radio and television stations allowed to air their opinions in addition to the news? From 1949-1987 all broadcast media was beholden to the Fairness Doctrine; a law that enforced impartiality and civil discourse. So why did we have this law? How did it work? Why did it end? And finally, what are the arguments for and against bringing it back?Our guest is Larry Irving, who was counsel to the Telecommunications subcommittee when the doctrine was codified into law (and subsequently vetoed) in 1987. 

What can we do with these invisible magnetic waves in the sky? Today we explore what we can say on the air. Are radio and television stations allowed to air their opinions in addition to the news? From 1949-1987 all broadcast media was beholden to the Fairness Doctrine; a law that enforced impartiality and civil discourse. So why did we have this law? How did it work? Why did it end? And finally, what are the arguments for and against bringing it back?Our guest is Larry Irving, who was counsel to the Telecommunications subcommittee when the doctrine was codified into law (and subsequently vetoed) in 1987.

The Fairness Doctrine

Ryan Willard is the co-host of The Ten News, a news podcast created for 8-12 year-olds. He shared some of the ways his team frames complex and controversial topics so that they're appropriate and comprehensible to younger ears. You can hear their show wherever you get your podcasts, or at their website.

Ryan Willard is the co-host of The Ten News, a news podcast created for 8-12 year-olds. He shared some of the ways his team frames complex and controversial topics so that they're appropriate and comprehensible to younger ears. You can hear their show wherever you get your podcasts, or at <a href="https://www.thetennews.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">their website.</a>

BONUS: Talking to Kids About the News

While Black citizens fought for their civil and human rights in the Reconstruction era, state and federal governments alike passed law and policy pertaining to them. Courts ruled. Legislatures made law. These are the legal shifts that both supported the Black freedom struggle and actively worked against it. Our guides to the last part of our Reconstruction series are Gilbert Paul Carassco, Kate Masur and Kidada Williams.

While Black citizens fought for their civil and human rights in the Reconstruction era, state and federal governments alike passed law and policy pertaining to them. Courts ruled. Legislatures made law. These are the legal shifts that both supported the Black freedom struggle and actively worked against it. Our guides to the last part of our Reconstruction series are <a href="https://willamette.edu/law/faculty/profiles/carrasco/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gilbert Paul Carassco</a>, <a href="https://history.northwestern.edu/people/faculty/core-faculty/kate-masur.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kate Masur</a> and <a href="https://clasprofiles.wayne.edu/profile/bb2756" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kidada Williams</a>.

Reconstruction: The Laws of the Land

Reconstruction has long been taught as a lost cause narrative.  The true story is one of great force. The great force of a powerful activist Black community that strived to establish a multiracial democracy and achieved great successes and political power. The great force of a violent white community that exploited, abused and murdered those of that Black community who would assert their civil and human rights. The great force of a federal government that was there and then wasn't. This episode is your introduction to that true story.Our guides to this era are Dr. Kidada Williams, author of I Saw Death Coming and Dr. Kate Masur, author of Until Justice Be Done.

Reconstruction has long been taught as a lost cause narrative.  The true story is one of great force. The great force of a powerful activist Black community that strived to establish a multiracial democracy and achieved great successes and political power. The great force of a violent white community that exploited, abused and murdered those of that Black community who would assert their civil and human rights. The great force of a federal government that was there and then wasn't. This episode is your introduction to that true story.Our guides to this era are Dr. Kidada Williams, author of <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/i-saw-death-coming-9781635576634/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Saw Death Coming</a> and Dr. Kate Masur, author of <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324005933" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Until Justice Be Done</a>.

Reconstruction: The Big Lie

The Reconstruction Era, a period in American history at the end of and immediately following the Civil War, is one of the single-most important and instructive periods in American history. It has also, historically, been one of the least taught. Why is that, and what are we missing when we don't learn about it? A lot.In this, the first in a three-part series on Reconstruction, we speak to Mimi Eisen of the Zinn Education Project about America’s first Civil Rights Era and why most of us don’t know enough - or anything at all - about it.

The Reconstruction Era, a period in American history at the end of and immediately following the Civil War, is one of the single-most important and instructive periods in American history. It has also, historically, been one of the least taught. Why is that, and what are we missing when we don't learn about it? A lot.In this, the first in a three-part series on Reconstruction, we speak to Mimi Eisen of the <a href="https://www.zinnedproject.org/campaigns/teach-reconstruction/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zinn Education Project</a> about America’s first Civil Rights Era and why most of us don’t know enough - or anything at all - about it.

Reconstruction: Why We Didn't Learn About It

What is defamation? Libel? Pre-trial discovery? Actual malice? Today we go into everything tied to the recently settled Dominion Voting Systems vs Fox News Network defamation lawsuit; including slander, libel, discovery, settlement, and the "whackadoodle email." Our guide through the world of defamation legalities is Jane Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. We talk about why these lies were presented to the public, and the possible reasons why Dominion chose to settle instead of continue with the trial.

What is defamation? Libel? Pre-trial discovery? Actual malice? Today we go into everything tied to the recently settled Dominion Voting Systems vs Fox News Network defamation lawsuit; including slander, libel, discovery, settlement, and the "whackadoodle email." Our guide through the world of defamation legalities is <a href="https://law.umn.edu/profiles/jane-kirtley" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jane Kirtley</a>, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. We talk about why these lies were presented to the public, and the possible reasons why Dominion chose to settle instead of continue with the trial.

Defamation, Libel, and Dominion, Oh My!

How free are we? Are some countries more free than we are? What does freedom even mean?In this episode in our "US vs" series, we talk with the co-author of the Human Freedom Index, Ian Vasquez, about how we rank in our measure of liberty. Then we do a deep dive into Freedom of the Press with Jenifer Whitten-Woodring, co-author of the Historical Guide to World Media Freedom: A Country-by-Country Analysis.Here are some links to other episodes we've done that explore our ever-changing tally of who gets those freedoms in the first place:Declaration RevisitedThe Bill of RightsThe 19th Amendment

How free are we? Are some countries more free than we are? What does freedom even mean?In this episode in our "US vs" series, we talk with the co-author of the <a href="https://www.cato.org/human-freedom-index/2022" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Human Freedom Index</a>, Ian Vasquez, about how we rank in our measure of liberty. Then we do a deep dive into Freedom of the Press with Jenifer Whitten-Woodring, co-author of the <a href="https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/historical-guide-to-world-media-freedom/book237148" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Historical Guide to World Media Freedom: A Country-by-Country Analysis</a>.Here are some links to other episodes we've done that explore our ever-changing tally of who gets those freedoms in the first place:<a href="https://www.civics101podcast.org/declarationrevisited" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Declaration Revisited</a><a href="https://www.civics101podcast.org/civics-101-episodes/billofrights" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Bill of Rights</a><a href="https://www.civics101podcast.org/civics-101-episodes/19thamendment" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The 19th Amendment</a>

US vs: Freedom

A social media app with 150 million American users is under intense scrutiny by the U.S. government. The threat is "sell or be banned," but how and why can the government do that? What does this kind of business restriction look like? We talked to Steven Balla of George Washington University to get the low down on regulations and bans in the United States.

A social media app with 150 million American users is under intense scrutiny by the U.S. government. The threat is "sell or be banned," but how and why can the government do that? What does this kind of business restriction look like? We talked to <a href="https://politicalscience.columbian.gwu.edu/steven-j-balla" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steven Balla</a> of George Washington University to get the low down on regulations and bans in the United States.

How Can The Government Ban An App?

What are grand juries? Who gets picked for one? What does an indictment mean?  What's next? Why does it seem like this process is taking so long?? Today we explain all the legal processes surrounding the recent indictment of former president Donald Trump, as well as what the Constitution has to say about all of this.With us is Albert "Buzz" Scherr, professor of Criminal Law and Justice at UNH Law.  Sign up here for our newsletter, Extra Credit. It's fun, we promise. 

What are grand juries? Who gets picked for one? What does an indictment mean?  What's next? Why does it seem like this process is taking so long?? Today we explain all the legal processes surrounding the recent indictment of former president Donald Trump, as well as what the Constitution has to say about all of this.With us is Albert "Buzz" Scherr, professor of Criminal Law and Justice at UNH Law.  <a href="https://mailchi.mp/nhpr.org/civics101signup01" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for our newsletter, Extra Credit. It's fun, we promise.

How Do Indictments and Grand Juries Work?

Incredible podcast that provides digestible overviews on various topics within the U.S. government.

Civics 101

Green card lottery

When we vote for a president, we're not really voting for a president. Today in our episode on the Electoral College, we explore the rationale of the framers in creating it, its workings, its celebrations, its critiques, and its potential future. This episode features the voices of Northwestern Professor of political science Alvin Tillery, University of Texas Professor of political science Rebecca Deen, and former 'faithless elector' Christopher Suprun.

When we vote for a president, we're not really voting for a president. Today in our episode on the Electoral College, we explore the rationale of the framers in creating it, its workings, its celebrations, its critiques, and its potential future. This episode features the voices of Northwestern Professor of political science Alvin Tillery, University of Texas Professor of political science Rebecca Deen, and former 'faithless elector' Christopher Suprun.

Electoral College

The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to our Constitution. Why do we have one? What does it 'do'? And what does it really, really do? Our guests are Linda Monk, Alvin Tillery, David O. Stewart, Woody Holton, David Bobb, and Chuck Taft. Visit our website, civics101podcast.org, where you can get Chuck's wonderful Bill of Rights SURVIVOR lesson plan, along with our favorite Bill of Rights resources. Each Amendment could be (and has been) its own episode. Except maybe the Third Amendment. So if you don't know them by heart, take two minutes to watch this video.

The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to our Constitution. Why do we have one? What does it 'do'? And what does it really, really do? Our guests are <a href="http://lindamonk.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Linda Monk</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AlvinBTilleryJr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alvin Tillery</a>, <a href="https://davidostewart.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">David O. Stewart</a>, <a href="https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/our-people/faculty-staff/holton_woody.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woody Holton</a>, <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/about-us/team/institute-team/david-bobb-president/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">David Bobb</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/chucktaft?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chuck Taft</a>. Visit our website, <a href="https://www.civics101podcast.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">civics101podcast.org</a>, where you can get Chuck's wonderful Bill of Rights SURVIVOR lesson plan, along with our favorite Bill of Rights resources. Each Amendment could be (and has been) its own episode. Except maybe the Third Amendment. So if you don't know them by heart, take two minutes to watch <a href="https://youtu.be/MrP5GD7pbJo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this video</a>.

Founding Documents: Bill of Rights

When it comes to federal elections, third party candidates are almost assured a defeat. And yet the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, the Reform Party -- these underdogs always appear on the scene ready for a fight. So why run if you're not going to win? What do third parties do to American politics? Our mediators for this one are Marjorie Hershey, Professor of Political Science Emerita at Indiana University and Geoffrey Skelley, Elections Analyst at FiveThirtyEight.

When it comes to federal elections, third party candidates are almost assured a defeat. And yet the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, the Reform Party -- these underdogs always appear on the scene ready for a fight. So why run if you're not going to win? What do third parties do to American politics? Our mediators for this one are Marjorie Hershey, Professor of Political Science Emerita at Indiana University and Geoffrey Skelley, Elections Analyst at FiveThirtyEight.

Third Parties

After just six years under the Articles of Confederation, a committee of anxious delegates agreed to meet in Philadelphia to amend the government. While the country suffered recession and rebellions, a group of fifty-five men determined the shape of the new United States. The document that emerged after that summer of debate was littered with strange ideas and unsavory concessions. The delegates decided they'd be pleased if this new government lasted fifty years. It has been our blueprint for over two centuries. This is the story of how our Constitution came to be. 

After just six years under the Articles of Confederation, a committee of anxious delegates agreed to meet in Philadelphia to amend the government. While the country suffered recession and rebellions, a group of fifty-five men determined the shape of the new United States. The document that emerged after that summer of debate was littered with strange ideas and unsavory concessions. The delegates decided they'd be pleased if this new government lasted fifty years. It has been our blueprint for over two centuries. This is the story of how our Constitution came to be.

Founding Documents: The Constitution

Two houses, both alike in...well, many things.  But oh so different in many others. We go from absolute basics to the philosophical differences that exist in the Legislative branch. This episode features the opinions of former staffers from both chambers, Political Science professors, and political analysts.  Also, Brady Carlson tells the tale of the biggest loss in midterm history, and its relation to a federal holiday.

Two houses, both alike in...well, many things.  But oh so different in many others. We go from absolute basics to the philosophical differences that exist in the Legislative branch. This episode features the opinions of former staffers from both chambers, Political Science professors, and political analysts.  Also, Brady Carlson tells the tale of the biggest loss in midterm history, and its relation to a federal holiday.

Midterm Edition: House v Senate

Ten days after the Constitution was signed at the Old Philadelphia State House, an anonymous op-ed appeared in the New York Journal. Signed by "Cato," it cautioned readers of the new Constitution to take it with a grain of salt. Even the wisest of men, it warned, can make mistakes. This launched a public debate that would last months, pitting pro-Constitution "Federalists" against Constitution-wary "Anti-Federalists." It was a battle for ratification, and it resulted in a glimpse into the minds of our Framers -- and a concession that would come to define American identity. 

Ten days after the Constitution was signed at the Old Philadelphia State House, an anonymous op-ed appeared in the New York Journal. Signed by "Cato," it cautioned readers of the new Constitution to take it with a grain of salt. Even the wisest of men, it warned, can make mistakes. This launched a public debate that would last months, pitting pro-Constitution "Federalists" against Constitution-wary "Anti-Federalists." It was a battle for ratification, and it resulted in a glimpse into the minds of our Framers -- and a concession that would come to define American identity.

Founding Documents: The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers

In this episode of our Starter Kit series, a primer on the powers of the President, both constitutional and extra-constitutional. Also, a super inefficient mnemonic device to remember the 15 executive departments in the order of their creation. Featuring the voices of Lisa Manheim, professor at UW School of Law and co-author of The Limits of Presidential Power, and Kathryn DePalo, professor at Florida International University and past president of the Florida Political Science Association. 

In this episode of our Starter Kit series, a primer on the powers of the President, both constitutional and extra-constitutional. Also, a super inefficient mnemonic device to remember the 15 executive departments in the order of their creation. Featuring the voices of Lisa Manheim, professor at UW School of Law and co-author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Limits-Presidential-Power-Citizens-Guide/dp/099969880X" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Limits of Presidential Power</a>, and Kathryn DePalo, professor at Florida International University and past president of the Florida Political Science Association.

Starter Kit: Executive Branch

On today's episode: what happens when the incumbent president leaves office and the president-elect enters? How is information shared? What laws or guidelines govern the transition of power? We talked with Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, on the written and unwritten rules of presidential transitions. We also explore our own transition, as hosting duties for Civics 101 transition from Virginia Prescott to Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice.

On today's episode: what happens when the incumbent president leaves office and the president-elect enters? How is information shared? What laws or guidelines govern the transition of power? We talked with Max Stier, President and CEO of the <a href="https://ourpublicservice.org/about-us/index.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Partnership for Public Service</a>, on the written and unwritten rules of presidential transitions. We also explore our own transition, as hosting duties for Civics 101 transition from Virginia Prescott to Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice.

Presidential Transitions

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Best Episodes on Science, Humans & The World

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