Michael Rappaport on "the Originalist Disaster" of the Supreme Court's Ruling in Trump v. Colorado
A leading originalist legal scholar explains what the Court got wrong.
Originalism
New Article on "The Constitutional Case Against Exclusionary Zoning"
Coauthor Josh Braver and I argue exclusionary zoning violates the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
According to Law
A keynote address to the Symposium on Common Good Constitutionalism.
Who Decides Whether Trump Can Run, and What Sort of Evidence Suffices?
Letting state officials determine whether a candidate has "engaged in insurrection" opens a huge can of worms.
How Originalist Is the Supreme Court?
More than you might think—and it’s getting better all the time.
Why President Trump is an "Officer" who Can be Disqualified From Holding Public Office Under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment [Updated]
The opposing view is contrary to the original meaning, and leads to absurd conclusions.
Frederick Douglass as Natural Rights Originalist
A fascinating new exploration of Frederick Douglass' constitutional thought.
More on Federal Power Over Immigration and James Madison's Report of 1800
My response to Rob Natelson's argument that Madison's Report is largely irrelevant to the constitutional debate over immigration.
Justice Scalia's Unpublished Dissent in Kelo v. City of New London
Its existence was revealed when Justice John Paul Stevens' papers were made public earlier this week.
Ketanji Brown Jackson and the Future of Progressive Originalism
The liberal justice seems ready to fight legal conservatives on their own ground.
Is Justice Jackson the "De Facto Leader" of Progressive Originalists?
Originalist scholar Larry Solum suggests KBJ could be the Left's Antonin Scalia.
The original meaning of the Indian Commerce Clause
Professor Natelson versus Professor Ablavsky
Originalism and the "Major Questions" Doctrine
Originalist legal scholars Mike Ramsey and Mike Rappaport debate whether the major questions doctrine - an important theory underlying several recent Supreme Court decisions - can be squared with originalism or not.
Sunstein Challenges Originalists on Bolling v. Sharpe (Updated)
If the Supreme Court was correct in Dobbs, was it wrong in Bolling?
What Law Professors Think About Legal Issues—and Why it Matters
A new study sheds interesting light on these questions.
Samuel Alito Thinks It's Obviously Absurd To Suggest That Drug Prohibition Violates the Constitution
The justice overlooks the long American tradition of pharmacological freedom and the dubious constitutional basis for federal bans.
Originalism, Common Goodism, and Conservative Constitutionalism
Adrian Vermeule responds to Judge Bill Pryor, and others comment on "Common Good Constitutionalism"
My NBC Article on the Confirmation of Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson
It explains why many of the reasons GOP senators gave for opposing Jackson were ridiculous, but also that there is nothing inherently wrong in opposing a qualified "mainstream" nominee based on differences over judicial philosophy.
Judge Bill Pryor Challenges Common-Good Constitutionalism
A recent lecture defends Originalist judging against its upstart conservative rival.
My Appearance on Prof. Eric Segall's "Supreme Myths" Podcast
We discussed my book "Free to Move," the state of originalism, and other issues.
How to Win a Prize for Writing About Originalism
The new Eaton Award from the University of Chicago Federalist Society: This year's topic is "Does originalism still work?"
Originalism and the Result in Dobbs
Would the outcome in Dobbs put originalism in doubt?
Kelo, Originalism, and Public Use
A response to Jonathan Adler's attempt at an originalist defense of Kelo v. City of New London.
Should an Originalist Justice Support Overruling Kelo v. New London?
The general assumption that the Fifth Amendment bars takings for economic development purposes rests on shaky ground.
My C-SPAN Interview with Charles Kesler, Author of "The Crisis of the Two Constitutions"
I interviewed him on Book TV about his new book.
Meanings, Intentions, Original Law
Another way to understand what originalists are doing.
Supreme Court Ducks Opportunity to Clarify Regulatory Takings Doctrine—Over a Strong Dissent by Justice Thomas
Thomas is right that the doctrine is a mess. But the Court may not be in any hurry to clean it up.
Conservative Judges Chose Legal Principles Over Partisanship and Trump—But We Shouldn't Take that for Granted
Conservative judges have stymied Trump in his election challenges - and many other cases where his positions went against their legal principles. But a populist/nationalist GOP could gradually change the nature of conservative jurisprudence.
Originalism and Personal Jurisdiction: Some Hard Questions
What original principles would say about this term's big case.
Do Originalists Ignore the Reconstruction Amendments?
The accusation is often made. But it simply isn't true.
Originalism and Personal Jurisdiction
The original rules might not be found in the text.
Amy Coney Barrett Thinks the Second Amendment Prohibits Blanket Bans on Gun Possession by People With Felony Records
The SCOTUS contender's 2019 dissent will alarm gun control supporters but reassure people who want judges to take this constitutional provision as seriously as others.
Originalism and Dual-Track Incorporation
Why an originalist might think the same right can mean different things against the state and federal governments after all
Forthcoming Article on "Overturning a Catch-22 in the Knick of Time: Knick v. Township of Scott and the Doctrine of Precedent"
The article explains why the Supreme Court was justified in overruling longstanding precedent in this important recent constitutional property rights case.
"High Crimes and Misdemeanors" as an Inkblot
No constitutional provision should be ignored just because it may be difficult to discern
But Gorsuch!
Trump's first Supreme Court pick is better on civil liberties than his critics want to admit.
Justice Story on Originalism and Judicial Independence
An old argument against "flexible and changeable interpretation."
New Essay: "Originalism and Stare Decisis in the Lower Courts"
When and How Can Lower-Court Judges Be Originalists?
Politics, Bar Brawls, and the Law of the Past
What makes history constitutionally relevant?