As people around the world continue to protest police brutality, Republicans and Democrats in Congress have proposed bills that would reform policing across the U.S. But in the American system, states are given a lot of latitude over law enforcement, down to the use of tactics like chokeholds and tear gas. Given the constitution, what can the federal government actually do to make things better? Also, why was the ever-obscure Third Amendment trending last month?

42- Police, Race, and Federalism

Professor Elizabeth Joh teaches Intro to Constitutional Law and most of the time this is a pretty straight forward job. But when Trump came into office, everything changed. During the four years of the Trump presidency, Professor Joh would check Twitter five minutes before each class to find out what the 45th President had said and how it jibes with 200 years of the judicial branch interpreting and ruling on the Constitution. Acclaimed podcaster Roman Mars (99% Invisible) was so anxious about all the norms and laws being tested in the Trump era that he asked his neighbor, Elizabeth, to explain what was going on in the world from a Constitutional law perspective. Even after Trump left office, there is still so much for Roman to learn. What Roman Mars Can Learn About Con Law is a weekly, fun, casual Con Law 101 class that uses the tumultuous activities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to teach us all about the US Constitution.

All music for the show comes from Doomtree, an independent hip-hop collective and record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Government

Does the 14th Amendment's Disqualification Clause apply to Trump?

78- The Disqualification Clause

Why do courts issue gag orders and when do they conflict with the First Amendment?

77- Gag

What’s the connection between Trump, margarine, and Mark Meadows?

76- Margarine, Meadows, and Removal

19th century "zombie" laws are shambling into the abortion debate

75- Comstock Zombies

The presumed criminal charges against former President Trump and role of the New York Grand Jury

42- Police, Race, and Federalism

Download our free app to listen on your phone