Historian Jill Lepore on constitutional amendments | 60 Minutes

Summary

Historian Jill Lepore reflects on the fundamental American legal principle of constitutional amendment, highlighting the innovative approach of early state constitutions in 1776 that empowered citizens to govern and modify their own rules. She expresses concern that federal constitutional amendments have largely stalled since 1971, with the Supreme Court effectively amending the Constitution through judicial interpretation rather than direct public input. Lepore suggests that the upcoming 250th anniversary of the first state constitutions provides an important opportunity to reconsider how Americans engage with and update their foundational legal framework.