Dean Vikram Amar is quoted in a New York Times article about how President Trump is transforming the study of constitutional law. In the lead-up to the fall semester at law schools across the country, law faculty have been revising their syllabi to incorporate some of the fresh constitutional questions that have arisen during Trump's time in office.
When is firing a subordinate to thwart an investigation obstruction of justice? Can a sitting president be indicted? Can the president pardon himself? May he accept financial benefits from foreign governments? Are his campaign statements evidence of religious bias? Must Congress authorize a nuclear strike against North Korea? These are just a few of the questions that law students might be grappling with in the coming year.
"The sudden relevance of constitutional law is harrowing and heartening to people who have spent their careers studying and teaching it," said Vikram D. Amar, dean of the University of Illinois College of Law.
"Many constitutionalists I know seem somewhat anxious these days," he said. "But, recent events make our life’s work more salient and urgent."
Full article on NYTimes.com.