Civitas Outlook
Topic
Constitutionalism
Published on
Contributors
Richard Epstein
Charles C.W. Cooke
Episode 5
The Libertarian

Posse Comitatus: Trump, Troops, and the Limits of Presidential Power

About this episode

Richard Epstein analyzes Justice Breyer’s ruling on Trump’s use of federal troops in Los Angeles. They explore the Posse Comitatus Act, the limits of presidential emergency powers, and why the courts often avoid tough factual questions—raising big issues about federal vs. state authority and executive overreach.

All other episodes on

The Libertarian

Can the President Declare a Trade ‘Emergency’? On the Supreme Court’s Tariff Case

Richard Epstein delves into one of the most consequential Constitutional questions of our time: can the president unilaterally impose tariffs under emergency powers?

EP8
Oct 31, 2025

Is Gerrymandering Unconstitutional?

Gerrymandering is back in the headlines — and this time, the political map wars in Texas and California are colliding with the courts, the Constitution, and the future of American democracy.

EP9
Nov 24, 2025

Trump’s War on Narco Boats

Richard Epstein examines the constitutional, statutory, and international-law implications of the Trump administration’s recent strikes on vessels in the Caribbean alleged to be transporting “narco-terrorists.”

EP10
Dec 3, 2025

Can the President Fire Anyone? SCOTUS Hears Arguments in Trump v. Slaughter

Richard Epstein does a deep into the Supreme Court’s latest showdown: Trump v. Slaughter, a case that could redefine presidential removal power and the future of independent agencies like the FTC.

EP11
Dec 10, 2025

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Constitutionalism

Amicus Brief: Hon. William P. Barr and Hon. Michael B. Mukasey in Support of Petitioners

Former AGs Barr and Mukasey Cite Civitas in a SCOTUS Brief

Michael Toth
Constitutionalism
Sep 22, 2025
Rational Judicial Review: Constitutions as Power-sharing Agreements, Secession, and the Problem of Dred Scott

Judicial review and originalism serve as valuable commitment mechanisms to enforce future compliance with a political bargain.

John Yoo
Constitutionalism
Sep 15, 2025
Amicus Brief: Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish

Civitas Research Fellow Michael Toth's work was cited in a Supreme Court brief.‍

Michael Toth
Constitutionalism
Sep 11, 2025
Epstein & Yoo: Amicus Brief in Supreme Court of Maryland

Civitas Senior Research Fellows Richard Epstein and John Yoo, alongside the Mountain States Legal Foundation, filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of Maryland.

Richard Epstein, John Yoo
Constitutionalism
Jul 24, 2025
Birthright Citizenship Has a Long Historical Precedent

John Yoo
Constitutionalism
Apr 2, 2026
State Courts Can’t Run Foreign Policy

Suncor is also a golden opportunity for the justices to stop local officials from interfering with an industry critical to foreign and national-security policy.

John Yoo, Michael Toth
Constitutionalism
Feb 24, 2026
Supreme Court tariff ruling should end complaints that justices favor Trump

John Yoo writes on the Supreme Court’s decision on President Trump’s tariff case.

John Yoo
Constitutionalism
Feb 20, 2026
Supreme Court showdown exposes shaky case against birthright citizenship

Supreme Court will hear challenges to Trump's order ending birthright citizenship, testing the 14th Amendment's guarantee for babies born in America.

Constitutionalism
Dec 10, 2025

The Libertarian

The inimitable Richard Epstein offers his unique perspective on national developments in public policy and the law.

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Law Talk

Welcome to Law Talk with Richard Epstein and John Yoo. Our show is hosted by Charles C. W. Cooke.

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The Myth of Birthright Citizenship with Richard A. Epstein

Constitutionalism
May 26, 2026
1:05

Former DOJ Official: 'This is a crazy idea'

Constitutionalism
May 11, 2026
1:05

The Rising Influence of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

Constitutionalism
May 7, 2026
1:05

Supreme Court Ruling Intensifies Nationwide Redistricting and Gerrymandering Battle

Constitutionalism
Apr 30, 2026
1:05

The Supreme Court is Returning the Law Back to the Original Vision

Constitutionalism
Apr 30, 2026
1:05
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Scalia’s Revolution

We still live in Scalia's judicial universe.

Tal Fortgang
Constitutionalism
Jun 3, 2026
The Roberts Court Needs To Reboot The Machinery Of Death

The Roberts Court should reboot the machinery of death, and get the judiciary out of its interminable quagmire.

Josh Blackman
Constitutionalism
Jun 2, 2026
Originalism and Its Adversaries

At some point, we all end up being in the minority, and when that happens, all those obstacles that seemed horrible when your party was in power will seem the very things that are preventing us from embarking down the road to ruin.

John G. Malcom
Constitutionalism
May 29, 2026
A Warning to Quorum Breakers

If absence goes on long enough, there may be serious consequences—including removal from office.

Aaron L. Nielson
Constitutionalism
May 27, 2026
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