A Brief Ecosystem

About this episode

The episode analyzes the unique structure and arguments of Professor Amar's amicus brief in the birthright citizenship case, Trump v. Barbara.

We’ve been mentioning the birthright citizenship case, Trump v. Barbara, and Professor Amar’s amicus brief in the case. Now we begin to analyze it in depth. We begin with the structure of the brief; why is it so different from most such briefs? Why is it uniquely wide-ranging? How can it cover many aspects of the case with a strict word limit - what is it about the way it is done that allows this when other briefs - well-executed briefs - cannot cover as much ground? And then, what is the outline of the argument? We also show where you can go from here; where you can find expansion and discussion beyond the brief. Or you can come back here in subsequent weeks when we will expand on the outline of the argument presented here.

People in this episode

Host: Akhil Reed Amar

Topics covered

• birthright citizenship
• legal analysis
• amicus brief
• Supreme Court cases
• argument structure

Keywords

• birthright citizenship
• amicus brief
• Trump v. Barbara
• legal arguments
• Supreme Court

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Trump v. Barbara

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