Author: Rob Natelson

Rob Natelson is the Independence Institute’s Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence and heads the Institute’s Article V Information Center. He was a law professor for 25 years, serving at three different universities. Among other subjects, he taught Constitutional Law, Constitutional History, Advanced Constitutional Law, and First Amendment. He is also the Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence at the Montana Policy Institute. Rob is especially known for his studies of the Constitution’s original meaning. His research has carried him to libraries throughout the United States and in Britain, including four months at Oxford. The results have included several break-though discoveries. Click here for more information about Rob

Who Called the Constitutional Convention? The Commonwealth of Virginia

The Virginia legislature, not Congress, called the Constitutional Convention.

To End Polarization, Defeat the Totalitarian Left

The Left seeks to coerce the Right; the Right is not trying to coerce the Left.

Answering the Latest Anti-Originalism Narrative

Originalism is not a new theory; it is very old. And it is not “unique;” it is how we normally interpret documents, and how the Founders expected the Constitution to be interpreted.

Rise in Crime: More Evidence of Colorado’s “Progressive” Squalor

Leftist control causes social deterioration and crime waves—It’s an international trend.

Progressive Privilege: Never Having To Say You’re Sorry

When a Republican Vice President, Dan Quayle, recited an inaccurate spelling of “potato,” the media relentlessly pounded the incident into the minds of the American public. But when a Democrat Vice President, Kamala Harris betrayed her trust, the media were largely uncritical.

Restoring the Constitution’s Presidency: Modifying Myers and Overruling Humphrey’s Executor

Myers and Humphrey’s Executor untethered the presidency from the Constitution.

The Technology of Ancient Rome: An Epiphany

Ancient Rome has so much to teach us—-no wonder America’s Founders were fascinated by it.

Senator Kaine’s Astonishing Ignorance

Why wasn’t Senator Kaine’s astonishing ignorance exposed long ago?

Three More U.S. Appeals Courts Rely on Research by II’s Rob Natelson

Like the research of II’s Dave Kopel, Rob Natelson’s publications are percolating into federal appeals court opinions.

Cutting the Gordian Knot of Birthright Citizenship

There can be no perfect interpretation of the Citizenship Clause. But there is a best one: A child is born “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States when his or her parents are in allegiance to the US—either US citizens or non-diplomat foreigners from friendly countries legally in the United States.

When ‘Woke’ Businesses Betray Their Customers

Businesses have a duty to stand up for their customers when politicians attack them, and not merely shift the burdens to those customers.

Leftist Corruption and Socialist Squalor

When I told a lady at the Kansas Welcome Center that their roads were a lot better than those in Colorado, she responded, “That’s the most common thing we hear . . .”