Representative Christopher Cox, author of Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn, and Geoffrey Stone of the University of Chicago join moderator Jeffrey Rosen to discuss Woodrow Wilson’s constitutional and historical legacy. They explore Wilson’s illiberal record in the defining constitutional battles of his time, focusing his opposition to women’s suffrage, free speech, and racial equality. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on November 25, 2024.

Resources: 

• Christopher Cox, Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn (2024) 
• Geoffrey Stone, "Woodrow Wilson, Princeton University, and the Battles We Choose to Fight," Huffington Post (Nov. 21, 2015) 
• Geoffrey Stone, Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime from the Sedition Act of 1798 to the War on Terrorism (2004)
• Espionage Act of 1917 and Sedition Act of 1918 
• Committee on Public Information, Free Speech Center (2009; updated 2024) 
• The First Amendment, National Constitution Center exhibit 
• Susan B. Anthony Amendment, National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House 
• Justice Brandeis, Oyez 

Stay Connected and Learn More

• Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org
• Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr.
• Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate.
• Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen.
• Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube.
• Support our important work.

Donate