Ronald Reagan and the Declaration of Independence
From The American Idea by Ashbrook Center
April 29, 2026 · 44 min · Season 6 · Episode 17
About this episode
The episode explores Ronald Reagan's connection to the principles of the Declaration of Independence through his speeches.
Abraham Lincoln once asserted that all of his political philosophy was rooted in the Declaration of Independence. Other presidents have spoken positively about our founding document, and some have disparaged the ideas promoted in it. What about Ronald Reagan? Where did he stand on the Declaration’s core ideas of natural rights, limited government, and liberty? Jeff is joined by Greg McBrayer, who looks back on decades of speeches from Reagan in order to establish a clear connection between the principles of our 40th president and America’s original mission statement. Read Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing”: https://tinyurl.com/btvr8mu9 Read Reagan’s 1986 Independence Day speech: https://tinyurl.com/ycyfvnka Read Reagan’s Farewell Address: https://tinyurl.com/mu92b545 Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea Homepage: https://ashbrook.org/the-american-idea-podcast/
People in this episode
Host: Jeff Sikkenga
Guest: Greg McBrayer
Topics covered
- Ronald Reagan
- Declaration of Independence
- natural rights
- limited government
- liberty
- American history
Keywords
- Ronald Reagan
- Declaration of Independence
- natural rights
- limited government
- liberty
- Abraham Lincoln
- American history
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ashbrook Center
More episodes of The American Idea
- Returning to First Principles: America's Machiavellian Moment? · June 10, 2026 · 38 min
- Religious Liberty at the Founding and Today · June 3, 2026 · 42 min
- The Voting Rights Act and the Callais Supreme Court Decision - Context and Analysis · May 27, 2026 · 40 min
- School Choice: The Past, Present, and Future of a Movement · May 20, 2026 · 48 min
- "Mischievous Cousins' - A British Perspective on the American Revolution · May 13, 2026 · 37 min
- From 1776 to Civil Rights: How the Declaration Shaped the Struggle for Equality · May 6, 2026 · 52 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The American Idea podcast page.