Why There’s No National Lockdown
Enforcing a large-scale quarantine would be legally murky, even if it’s what the country needs to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The Battle For The Constitution
A special project on the constitutional debates in American life, in partnership with the National Constitution Center
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This work was commissioned, produced, and edited by The Atlantic's editorial staff. Support for this work was provided in part by the organizations listed here.
Support for this project was provided by the Madison Initiative of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Beyond Originalism
The dominant conservative philosophy for interpreting the Constitution has served its purpose, and scholars ought to develop a more moral framework.
How Donald Trump Could Steal the Election
The president can’t simply cancel the fall balloting, but his state-level allies could still deliver him a second term.
Delaware’s Weird—and Constitutionally Suspect—Approach to Judicial Independence
The Supreme Court will soon decide whether one state can constitutionally mandate “partisan balance” on its judicial benches.
Vote-by-Mail Can Save the 2020 Election
It’s a time-tested and straightforward solution, and the time to plan for it is now.
Martial Law Would Sweep the Country Into a Great Legal Unknown
The prospect, while still remote, is not purely hypothetical in the current crisis, and the risk is great.
The Vote Must Go On
Don’t let the coronavirus undermine America’s election.
Red and Blue America Agree That Now Is the Time to Violate the Constitution
People of both parties seem rather okay with undermining core civil liberties in order to fight the pandemic.
America’s Weak Property Rights Are Harming Those Most in Need
Poor people are more likely to see their homes and belongings seized by the state for dubious reasons.
The Right Way to Activate the National Guard
There are three methods of mobilizing America’s citizen soldiers. Which one Trump chooses will matter a great deal.