25 Years of Asking Questions: Why do Presidents Push the Limits?

No matter which party holds the White House, the executive branch often tests the boundaries of authority, and the consequences of overreach can reshape the balance of government. In Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952), President Truman attempted to seize control of steel mills during the Korean War, raising urgent questions about the scope of executive power. Justice Robert H. Jackson’s concurring opinion provided a careful framework for evaluating when presidential actions exceed constitutional limits, balancing national needs with adherence to the law. This lecture is part of our 25 Years of Asking Questions lecture series. We are thankful to the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union for sponsoring this series.

Gerard N. Magliocca is a Distinguished Professor at the Indiana University School of Law. He is the author of the new book The Actual Art of Governing: Justice Robert H. Jackson's Concurring Opinion in the Steel Seizure Case, which offers a deep analysis of Jackson’s landmark concurring opinion and its continuing relevance to presidential power today. The book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Free event, registration required.