Historian Jill Lepore Discusses Constitutional Crisis and Social Media's Impact on Public Discourse

Jill Lepore, a professor of history and law at Harvard University, has published a book examining constitutionalism in the United States amid current political tensions. She notes that constitutional questions have become more urgent and complex since she began writing. Lepore observes that the U.S. Constitution is often weaponized in political battles while many citizens lack detailed knowledge of its contents, creating opportunities for rights to be eroded through confusion. She cites the debate over birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment as an example. Historically, constitutional engagement has shifted: while left-leaning groups traditionally sought rights through the Supreme Court, right-wing movements like the Tea Party mobilized around originalist interpretations during the Obama administration. With the Supreme Court now more conservative, some liberals are calling for a left-wing constitutional movement. Lepore connects social movements throughout American history—abolition, women's suffrage, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights—to constitutional change, arguing that defending constitutional rights remains tied to grassroots activism. She expresses concern about leadership vacuums in cultural and civic institutions and criticizes social media and cable news for degrading public intellectual discourse. Lepore warns of authoritarian tendencies, the rise of automated public discourse controlled by corporations, and the potential fragmentation of federal authority, suggesting that state governments may need to take greater responsibility. She advocates for cross-partisan collaboration to address national divisions.