Alison LaCroix

Alison LaCroix, a legal historian and professor at the University of Chicago, dives deep into the Supreme Court's landmark decision overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. She discusses the historical tension between state sovereignty and federal authority, tracing back to the Fugitive Slave Act's impact. The conversation also explores how the framers envisioned federalism and its implications for modern legal decisions, especially in sports betting. LaCroix highlights how history influences today's legal landscapes, reminding us that history truly does rhyme.

Political theorist William B. Allen and author Alison LaCroix discuss the intellectual foundations of constitutional interpretation from the founding to the Civil War. They explore historical practice in interpreting the Constitution, debates over constitutional interpretation today, and the complexities of sovereignty and states' rights during the interbellum era.

In this discussion, Alison LaCroix, a University of Chicago law professor specializing in constitutional history, dives deep into the implications of the Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity. They explore whether Nixon could have faced prosecution for Watergate under today’s laws. LaCroix analyzes how presidential powers might shield executive actions, discusses potential prosecutable offenses, and reflects on the evolving lessons from Nixon’s era in the context of modern politics.