Constitution in the Headlines
Constitution in the Headlines is a collection of curated resources designed to help teachers and students contextualize constitutional topics in the news. Explore shortened, classroom-friendly versions of America’s Town Hall discussions, We the People podcasts, or Constitution Daily blog posts that include nonpartisan constitutional analysis from experts and scholars from across the ideological spectrum. Each media asset will come with engagement questions, student choice activities, and primary sources to deepen student engagement, build connections and critical thinking skills, as well as foster civil dialogue.
At the National Constitution Center, we value civil dialogue, which empowers students to speak about constitutional and historical topics in ways that remain civil, respectful, and reflective. As you prepare to discuss these topics in your classroom, we encourage you to establish norms such as:
- Stay calm
- Listen patiently
- Listen actively
- Don’t speak twice until everybody has spoken once
You can find more support for establishing norms and civil dialogue practices in our Civil Dialogue Toolkit.
Featured Constitution in the Headlines Resources
Elon Musk, DOGE, and the Appointments Clause
Elon Musk and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been freezing federal spending and laying off federal employees, raising constitutional questions about the scope of its power. At the heart of the debate is the Appointments Clause in Article II of the Constitution.
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Columbia University Student Deportation Case
Recently, Mahmoud Khalil, who immigrated to the United States on a student visa and later obtained a Permanent Resident Card (sometimes called a “Green Card”), was detained by federal immigration officers and faces possible deportation after the State Department revoked his legal permanent resident status purportedly because of his participation in public pro-Palestine protests. The current case involving Khalil, a student at Columbia University in New York, may center on a law from the 1950s, and how courts interpret it.
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Scope of Executive Power: Part 1
In recent weeks, there has been renewed debate over the scope of executive power and the extent of the president’s authority under the Constitution. Some argue that the president has broad control over the executive branch, while others contend that this power is more limited. But what does the Constitution actually say about executive power, and how has this question been interpreted over time?
Learn MoreAll Constitution in the Headlines Resources
Elon Musk, DOGE, and the Appointments Clause
Elon Musk and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been freezing federal spending and laying off federal employees, raising constitutional questions about the scope of its power. At the heart of the debate is the Appointments Clause in Article II of the Constitution.
Columbia University Student Deportation Case
Recently, Mahmoud Khalil, who immigrated to the United States on a student visa and later obtained a Permanent Resident Card (sometimes called a “Green Card”), was detained by federal immigration officers and faces possible deportation after the State Department revoked his legal permanent resident status purportedly because of his participation in public pro-Palestine protests. The current case involving Khalil, a student at Columbia University in New York, may center on a law from the 1950s, and how courts interpret it.
Scope of Executive Power: Part 1
In recent weeks, there has been renewed debate over the scope of executive power and the extent of the president’s authority under the Constitution. Some argue that the president has broad control over the executive branch, while others contend that this power is more limited. But what does the Constitution actually say about executive power, and how has this question been interpreted over time?
Presidential Term Limits
Recently, a member of the House of Representatives proposed changing the Constitution to allow current President Donald Trump the option of running for a third term as president. Constitutional amendment proposals are common during congressional terms, but few ever make it to the states as proposed amendments.
Executive Orders
In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders addressing immigration, foreign affairs, federal spending, and more. But what exactly are executive orders, and how do they fit into our constitutional system?
Birthright Citizenship
The question of who qualifies for U.S. citizenship at birth has been a topic of debate for years, but it has gained renewed attention recently. Birthright citizenship means that people born in the United States automatically become U.S. citizens. This approach is rooted in the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment. However, some argue that this approach should be reconsidered, especially regarding children born to noncitizen parents.
