Adam Rothman

"The President of the United States would be liable to be impeached, tried, and, upon conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors, removed from office; and would afterwards be liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law." - Hamilton

if only Federalist 69 were just, in its entirely, Hamilton saying super clearly “sure, this constitution has one executive leader, but I can’t stress enough that it’s different from a king because a President is accountable, including to criminal law” avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century...

The Avalon Project : Federalist No 69avalon.law.yale.edu

Books on the future of American democracy will now be shelved in the Fantasy section of your local bookstore.

Reposted by

Adam Rothman

Reply to

Dr. M.A. Davis

One of my favorite Lincoln-Hamlin interactions (there are so many!): *Two months* after the 1860 convention, Lincoln wrote Hamlin to introduce himself: "Hey, I guess we're running together?! I don't think we ever met, but drop me a line when you can!" quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/li...

Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 4 [Mar. 5, 1860-Oct. 24, 1861]. | Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln | University of Michigan Library Digital Collectionsquod.lib.umich.edu

To borrow a phrase from Lincoln, the Supreme Court has turned a chestnut horse into a horse chestnut.

"Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office []: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

The Avalon Project : Federalist No 69avalon.law.yale.edu

Reposted by

Adam Rothman

“Escape to the City provides us with one of the most thought-provoking portraits of the urban South yet published,” writes James Illingworth in the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society. So generous!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to review my book! @uncpress.bsky.social

Does immunity extend to department chairs? Asking for a friend.

Reposted by

Adam Rothman

More good news

WaPo: The Supreme Court stabbed American democracy in the heart but did not also suck out its brains.

Analysis | The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority continued to shift the law to the right in 2024 but did not go as far as it could have. Sometimes, it punted. Here are our big takeaways:

Key takeaways from the Supreme Court term that upended Trump’s trialwww.washingtonpost.com The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority continued to shift the law to the right in 2024 but did not go as far as it could have. Sometimes, it punted.

Reposted by

Adam Rothman

"Today’s Supreme Court has just recreated one of the most despicable cases in English history, a case that signified the apex of absolutism in British history and was repudiated by a revolution for the damage it caused."

My article for @newrepublic “The Supreme Court has effectively ruled that 250 years of U.S. history under a republic is enough.” newrepublic.com/article/1833...

The Supreme Court Turns the President Into a Kingnewrepublic.com The conservative justices have ignored history altogether and created a shocking new precedent: The president is above the law.

As the 4th of July approaches, let us remember that the founding fathers wanted a strong executive who could do crimes if he wanted.

Reposted by

Adam Rothman

Before SCOTUS' ruling, here's our historian's brief which argues there is no basis in founding era history for the idea that presidents should enjoy immunity. In fact, the founders believed that presidents should be accountable under the rule of law. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

<p>Historians' Amicus Brief in <em>Trump v. United States</em></p>www.brennancenter.org A group of 15 founding era historians represented by the Brennan Center and Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman LLP have filed a brief challenging Trump's claim of immunity.

This essay by Dallek about LBJ's decision not to seek reelection is a fine reminder of the unpredictability of events, which may be history's greatest lesson.

Here’s a better take www.history.com/news/lbj-exi...

LBJ Announced He Wouldn’t Run Again. Political Chaos Ensued | HISTORYwww.history.com How President Johnson’s exit from the 1968 presidential race rocked politics.

GEORGIA!! (the country)

Reposted by

Adam Rothman

Amazing. If you are a potential reviewer (or know someone who might want to be, or an outlet that might be interested), please be in touch with me or University of Chicago Press for a galley.