Constitution Archives

Why does the State of the Union address need a ‘designated survivor’?

Uncertainty about a potential clash between superpowers originally gave birth to the “designated survivor,” Northeastern experts say. Created to ensure government continuity, the designation means a cabinet member would inherit executive power in the event of a catastrophe involving the mass deaths of American leaders.

by Tanner Stening March 1, 2022

Stephen Breyer speaks during the 2008 Law School Commencement. Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring from the Supreme Court. Photo by Northeastern University

What does Justice Stephen Breyer's retirement mean for the Supreme Court?

Biden has a chance to make history with his Supreme Court pick, but he'll need the deadlocked Senate’s approval. Will he get it?

by Tanner Stening January 26, 2022

Abortion, guns, religion: Here are the major US Supreme Court cases for 2022

As the U.S. Supreme Court decision on President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate shows, the nation’s highest court has a full docket of important cases this term. Justices will weigh in on cases that could affect people’s right to an abortion, possession of firearms outside the home, and free exercise of religion.

by Tanner Stening January 18, 2022

President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn before boarding Marine One and departing the White House on June 1, 2018. Photo by: Chip Somodevilla/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Donald Trump says he has the ‘absolute right’ to pardon himself. Would that even be legal?

On Monday, President Donald J. Trump tweeted that he has the “absolute right” to pardon himself in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. Trump said he wouldn’t do so, however, because he’s “done nothing wrong.” Northeastern constitutional law professor Martha Davis says that even if a president can pardon himself, it would be difficult for Trump to do so without violating the Constitution.

by Molly Callahan June 4, 2018

Constitution Day was this weekend, but should it have been?

This weekend marked the 229th anniversary of the day the 39 men who drafted the Constitution met as a Constitutional Convention for the final time to sign it. Here are some interesting historical facts about it—including the case for why it should be in the summer—and how to celebrate it on campus.

by Molly Callahan September 19, 2016

09/17/15 - BOSTON, MA. - Scenes during the Constitution Day Lecture held in Renaissance Park and at Northeastern University on Sept. 17, 2015. Professor Michael Dukakis gave opening remarks before political science professor Michael Tolley delivered the lecture. Photo by: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

The evolution of constitutional federalism

Associate professor of political science Michael Tolley spent his Constitution Day lecture examining why “federalism is the cardinal question of American constitutional law,” as former President Woodrow Wilson once put it. His lecture coincided with the day commemorating the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution 228 years ago.

by Greg St. Martin September 18, 2015

3Qs: SC upholds routine DNA tests by police

Law professor Daniel Medwed said he is conflicted about the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that police can take DNA samples from people upon arrest, noting both the privacy concerns and the potential to solve cold cases.

by Greg St. Martin June 5, 2013

3Qs: The lasting impact of historic Gideon ruling

Monday marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling that indigent criminal defendants have a constitutional right to a court-appointed lawyer. But this fair trail right is viewed as more aspirational than operational, according to law professor Daniel Medwed.

by Jason Kornwitz March 18, 2013

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