John Q. Barrett, discoverer and editor of Robert H. Jackson's acclaimed book That Man: An Insider's Portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt and writer of the popular blog The Jackson List, joins author and constitutional scholar Gerard Magliocca, author of The Actual Art of Governing: Justice Robert H. Jackson's Concurring Opinion in the Steel Seizure Case, and G. Edward White, author of Robert H. Jackson: A Life in Judgment, to discuss the Jackson’s legacy in debates over presidential power, constitutional interpretation, and the prosecution of war crimes at Nuremberg. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates.
This program is presented in partnership with the Robert H. Jackson Center. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on December 8th, 2025.
Follow We the People, Live at the National Constitution Center, and Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Today’s episode was produced by Bill Pollock and Griffin Richie. It was recorded by Scott Bomboy and Greg Scheckler, and mixed by Bill Pollock. Research was provided by Griffin Richie, Anna Salvatore, Trey Sullivan, and Tristan Worsham.
Participants
John Q. Barrett Is the Benjamin N. Cardozo Professor of Law at St. John’s University. Barrett is also the Elizabeth S. Lenna Fellow at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, N.Y.
Gerard N. Magliocca is the Distinguished Professor and Samuel R. Rosen Professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Edward White is the David and Mary Harrison Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Jeffrey Rosen is the president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization devoted to educating the public about the U.S. Constitution. Rosen is also professor of law at The George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic.
Additional Resources
- John Q. Barrett, The Jackson List
- Robert H. Jackson and John Q. Barrett (editor), That Man: An Insider’s Portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt (2004)
- Gerard Magliocca, The Actual Art of Governing: Justice Robert H. Jackson’s Concurring Opinion in the Steel Seizure Case (2025)
- G. Edward White, Robert H. Jackson: A Life in Judgment (2025)
- G. Edward White, The American Judicial Tradition: Profile of Leading American Judges (2007)
Stay Connected and Learn More
- Questions or comments about the show? Email us at [email protected]
- Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr
- Explore the America at 250 Civic Toolkit
- Explore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness
- Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate
- Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen
- Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube
- Support our important work
