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1 month ago | 
blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com | Michael Boldin |James Madison |War Powers
“With respect to alien enemies, no doubt has been intimated as to the federal authority over them.” That was James Madison, referring to the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 – an act he saw as constitutional while rejecting the rest of the Alien and Sedition Acts. In this episode, you’ll learn what the act actually says, why Madison defended it while opposing the others, and how narrowly it applies in practice.
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1 month ago | 
blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com | Michael Boldin |Founding Principles |War Powers
Almost every politician and so-called expert wants you to believe the president can unilaterally take the United States to war – just as long as they don’t call it a war. But that’s not what the Constitution says, that’s not how the Founders understood it, and that’s not how Presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson, or Madison followed it in practice.
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Nov 15, 2024 | 
tenthamendmentcenter.com | Mike Maharrey |James Madison |War Powers
“The last of all oppressions”That’s how Thomas Jefferson described the military draft. Because of widespread opposition to it, the federal government didn’t actively draft men into the military until the Civil War. But, during the War of 1812, it tried – and would have likely moved forward with the plan were it not for intense opposition from New England states. BACKGROUNDThe War of 1812 brought the issue of war powers into the spotlight, specifically federal control over militias.
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Sep 30, 2024 | 
tenthamendmentcenter.com | Joe Wolverton |James H. Madison |War Powers
Within five years of the publishing of The Federalist papers (and four years of the ratification by the states of the Constitution), the co-authors of those seminal and influential essays on American political theory and constitutional interpretation were back at their desks once again writing letters to the editors of newspapers.
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Sep 16, 2024 | 
blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com | Alan Mosley |James Madison |War Powers
Constitution: The Wisest Part According to James MadisonThe wisest part of the Constitution – James Madison specifically singled out one clause where he said the most wisdom is found. And what a surprise – not only is his view completely ignored today, the clause itself has been twisted into exactly what he warned against.
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Sep 15, 2024 | 
tenthamendmentcenter.com | Mike Maharrey |James Madison |War Powers
In the early years of the United States under the Constitution, James Madison made one of the most compelling constitutional arguments against unilateral presidential war powers. Through their actions, the first three presidential administrations of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson notably upheld this position. And once in office himself, Madison unsurprisingly followed the same approach.
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Aug 26, 2024 | 
tenthamendmentcenter.com | Mike Maharrey |John Adams |War Powers
Many people believe presidents have a great deal of authority to make unilateral decisions about war without the approval of Congress. To support this conclusion, they often point to actions taken by early presidents such as John Adams. But this narrative doesn’t stand up to the facts. Not even close.
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May 8, 2024 | 
blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com | Michael Boldin |Founding Principles |War Powers
War and Foreign Policy: Top-5 Influences on the FoundersThey’re mostly ignored or forgotten today. But, to the founders, these five formed an international law and foreign policy pantheon.
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Mar 10, 2024 | 
tenthamendmentcenter.com | Michael Boldin |George Washington |War Powers
Supporters of unilateral executive war power want you to believe presidents can make all kinds of decisions about war and peace because, as they tell the story, George Washington engaged in military conflicts with Native Americans without getting authorization from Congress. They’re either ignorant or lying – or both. The Constitution delegates the power to “declare war” to Congress.
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Feb 2, 2024 | 
blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com | Michael Boldin |George Washington |War Powers
Supporters of unilateral executive war powers want you to believe that kind of power is ok – because George Washington engaged in war without getting authorization from congress. They’re either ignorant, or lying – or both. Resolution of the Continental Congress Creating the Peace Establishment (3 June 1784)Resolution of the Continental Congress Renewing the Peace Establishment, 3 October 1787Pres.
