U.S. Constitution

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on July 9, 1868, granting citizenship and equal protection under the laws to anyone born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved people. Other historical events on this date include President Zachary Taylor's death in 1850, William Jennings Bryan's 'Cross of Gold' speech in 1896, and the deadliest U.S. rail disaster in 1918.

Janet Costello, a Woodside High School social studies teacher in Newport News, Virginia, received a $24,000 James Madison Graduate Fellowship to enhance U.S. Constitution education at the secondary level.

New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean Jr. was absent from work for four months without explanation, missing 140 votes before returning on June 30 to announce treatment for depression. The article explores whether elected officials can be held accountable for unexplained absences, noting that U.S. Congressional rules do not require attendance or explanation of absences.

David Muir visited the location where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and viewed the first draft of the U.S. Constitution. The event occurred in Philadelphia, marking a significant historical moment.

Democratic lawmakers expressed pride in the U.S. despite disagreements with President Donald Trump, with Rep. Al Green advocating impeachment as an option to remove a 'reckless, ruthless, lawless president.' Other Democrats like Rep. Lloyd Doggett emphasized defending democracy against authoritarianism, while Republicans highlighted the Constitution and freedoms as reasons for the country's success.

The article references the 250th anniversary of American independence and notes the first public display of the four pages of the US Constitution in the National Archives' rotunda in Washington on September 17, 1970.

The article discusses the fragility of the U.S. republic, highlighting concerns about its constitution's weakness revealed by the 'would-be emperor in Washington.' It references the 250th anniversary of the U.S. independence and Benjamin Franklin's warning that maintaining a republic requires vigilance.

The article explores the unique nature of American patriotism, emphasizing its foundation on ideals like human liberty rather than race, ethnicity, or religion. It highlights the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence as foundational documents promoting democratic principles and individual freedom, contrasting America's appeal with other nations.

The article highlights the 250th anniversary of the Fourth of July as a celebration of the U.S. democracy's longevity, despite its flawed history including indigenous displacement, slavery, and ongoing inequalities. It references past events like the bicentennial, Gerald Ford's civil rights legislation, Roe v. Wade, and the end of the Vietnam War, acknowledging both progress and persistent challenges.

Donald Trump has claimed the U.S. Constitution grants him the right to act without limits as president, an interpretation tied to recent Supreme Court rulings largely favoring him and revelations he has earned $2 billion since returning to office, half from cryptocurrencies. The article criticizes his approach as undermining constitutional norms.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), proposed to Congress in 1923 to guarantee rights regardless of sex, remains unadopted over a century later. The article highlights the ERA's failure to become part of the U.S. Constitution.

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), proposed to the U.S. Constitution in 1923 to guarantee rights regardless of sex, has not been formally adopted over a century later. Correspondent Martha Teichner examines the ERA's history and interviews three generations of women about their ongoing pursuit of constitutional equality.

The article evaluates America's well-being on its 250th birthday, criticizing leaders for failing to maintain its health and promote justice, tranquility, and general welfare. It highlights Missouri's legislative actions, such as making voting difficult and undermining citizen initiatives, as examples of broader national issues.

A man named Dan Sullivan, same as Alaska's Republican U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, sued to remain on the August primary ballot after being disqualified by state elections officials. The challenger claims his disqualification violates state and federal law, while officials argue his candidacy was filed to confuse voters. The National Republican Senatorial Committee and the senator himself called the challenger a 'sham candidate' but did not provide evidence of coordination with Democratic candidate Mary Peltola, whom the challenger denies.

The Department of Justice sued Philadelphia and city officials over an ordinance banning law enforcement from using face coverings and unmarked vehicles to conceal identities. The federal government argues the law violates the Constitution's supremacy clause, while Philadelphia officials defend it as essential for public accountability.

The Florida Supreme Court allowed new U.S. House districts drawn by Republicans to be used in the midterm elections, rejecting a request for a temporary injunction. Opponents argued the districts violate a 2010 state constitutional amendment against partisan gerrymandering, while Republicans claim the changes could help them secure additional seats.

The Florida Supreme Court allowed new U.S. House districts drawn by Republicans to be used in the midterm elections, rejecting a request to block them. The districts, which could help Republicans secure additional seats, were challenged for violating a state constitutional provision against partisan gerrymandering.

A U.S. trade judge urged the Trump administration to expedite over $10 billion in illegal tariff refunds, citing inequities in processing delays. An appeals court in Alabama raised concerns about using nitrogen gas for executions, reversing a prior ruling that deemed it constitutional.

A federal judge permanently blocked Alabama from executing Jeffrey Lee using nitrogen gas, ruling it unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The judge allowed Alabama to use alternative methods like lethal injection or the electric chair but barred nitrogen gas, which opponents argue causes conscious suffocation. Alabama's attorney general is appealing the decision, which may reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

A Catawba-YouGov survey shows North Carolinians strongly support constitutional checks and balances despite pessimism about the nation’s political future. The article criticizes the overuse of constitutional amendments in North Carolina for political purposes, contrasting it with the U.S. Constitution’s rare amendments and evolving interpretation through court decisions.

June 8th marks the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, part of a series of domestic military deployments, including an ongoing one in Washington, D.C. The article argues these deployments threaten the constitutional separation of military and civilian law enforcement roles, citing risks like escalation, disillusionment, and politicization, as detailed in a report titled 'The Dangers of Military Intervention in Civilian Law Enforcement.'

Louisiana lawmakers passed House Bill 310, allowing prosecutors to reassign cases to a new randomly selected judge when defendants waive their jury trial right. The law, signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, aims to prevent 'judge shopping' but faces criticism for potentially eroding constitutional protections.

President Donald Trump called for personal loyalty from U.S. Supreme Court Justices he appointed, criticizing their rulings. North Carolina Lawyers for the Rule of Law, a group of lawyers across political spectrums, argued that judges must remain independent of political pressure and prioritize the law and Constitution over loyalty to appointing authorities. Justice Neil Gorsuch emphasized that an independent judiciary ensures fair application of the law, regardless of political affiliations.

Federal healthcare laws, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), take precedence over state laws under the Supremacy Clause, but conflicts persist, particularly in Medicaid expansion. While the ACA reduced the uninsured population from 48.6 million in 2010 to 29.3 million in 2017, legal challenges and policy changes, including the 2025 Reconciliation Law, have created ongoing disputes over coverage and subsidies, leaving millions without insurance in non-expansion states.

A federal judge ruled that New Hampshire must allow voters to attest to U.S. citizenship via sworn affidavit if they lack documentary proof, overturning a 2024 law that removed this option. The ruling, which found the law unconstitutional, was challenged by the state as part of efforts to ensure election integrity but was celebrated by groups like the ACLU of New Hampshire as preventing unnecessary barriers for eligible voters.

An unknown individual inscribed the full text of the U.S. Constitution onto the Bitcoin blockchain using an OP_RETURN transaction, confirmed on May 28, 2026. The 44.4 KB transaction cost $83.41 in fees and was processed by SpiderPool, highlighting Bitcoin's expanded data storage capabilities post-Bitcoin Core v30.

A federal judge declined to block President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting voting by mail, stating it is too early to challenge the directive. The order requires the Postal Service to propose rules blocking states from sending ballots except to voters on state-provided lists, with potential implications for the November midterm elections.

Sally Field praised the First Amendment on '60 Minutes,' highlighting its significance in a politically divided U.S. She reflected on her childhood understanding of the Constitution and emphasized democracy's fragility. Her remarks contrast with some Hollywood peers' criticism of U.S. policies, including protests over the 2026 ICE-related shooting of Renée Nicole Good.

The article reflects on Memorial Day by questioning whether current actions honor or undermine the sacrifices of those who died defending America. It highlights growing divisions over governance, rights, and values, and raises concerns about defending constitutional principles versus current practices that may disregard them. The piece also discusses recent legislative changes to military draft registration and the ongoing debate over America's role in conflicts like the Iran war.

The U.S. Constitution's authors aimed to establish a strong chief executive while ensuring checks on power. They sought a balance between authority and restraint to prevent abuse. The article questions whether their optimism about this balance was justified.

The Trump administration established an $1.8 billion fund distributing taxpayer dollars to the president's political allies while simultaneously declaring Trump immune from tax audits. Legal experts question whether these actions exceed constitutional limits on presidential power.

Democrats and advocacy groups argue President Donald Trump's executive order requiring citizenship lists and traceable mail-in ballots would cause election chaos, urging a court to block it. The Trump administration claims the order, which has not yet been implemented, cannot be overturned. A federal judge expressed uncertainty about the order's legality but questioned whether challenges are premature.

Former NASA astronauts, including Artemis II crew members, have launched 'Astronauts for America' to defend U.S. democracy, promote constitutional values, and support bipartisan leadership. The initiative, backed by over 100 former astronauts, emphasizes unity, rule of law, and scientific integrity amid growing political polarization.

Jamie Lee Curtis, in an interview with 60 Minutes, challenges the U.S. Constitution's goal of 'a more perfect union,' stating that imperfection is what makes America special. She argues that a perfect union is impossible and that the nation's strength lies in its imperfections.