Chapter Three: How to Interpret the Constitution

Published December 23, 2020

John Yoo explains how the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution and makes decisions on significant political and social issues. When the Supreme Court rules on a constitutional issue, that judgment is virtually final. Reversing those decisions only occur through constitutional amendments or new rulings by the Supreme Court..

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Discussion Questions

1. How does the Supreme Court compare in its power to the other two branches of government?
2. If you were president and had the opportunity to make an appointment to the Supreme Court, how would you choose your nominee?

Additional Resources

• To learn more, read “Socialism vs. the American Constitutional Structure: The Advantages of Decentralization and Federalism,” by John Yoo. Available here.
• Watch “The Supreme Court’s Role in Restoring Federalism,” with John Yoo. Available here.
• Watch “Executive Power in the Constitution,” with John Yoo via C-SPAN. Available here.