The Declaration of Independence | Interview: Michael Auslin

The Declaration of Independence | Interview: Michael Auslin

From The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg by The Dispatch

July 1, 2026 · 1h 20m

About this episode

Jonah Goldberg interviews Michael Auslin about the history and significance of the Declaration of Independence.

The year is 2004. Jonah Goldberg and Steve Hayes, young and clean shaven, stride through the National Archives. Stopping, they gaze down at a yellowed leaf of parchment. “I’m gonna steal it.” Jonah mutters. “What?” Steve asks. Jonah clenches his jaw. “I’m gonna steal the Declaration of Independence.” Fortunately, Steve talked Jonah out of his hairbrained scheme and both men remained free, unincarcerated citizens. Unfortunately, the many secrets of the Declaration that Jonah hoped to uncover remained lost to history … until now. To mark and celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, Jonah is joined by Michael Auslin, author of National Treasure:How the Declaration of Independence Made America, to dive into the oft-forgotten history of our founding document, including: who didn’t sign the Declaration, Button Gwinnett’s signature, the Confederate view of the Declaration, America’s enlightened consensus, Declaration historiography, George III, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, John Quincy Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Paine v. Burke, and what it means to be a credal country. Show Notes: —Michael Auslin - National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America —Allen…

People in this episode

Host: Jonah Goldberg

Guest: Michael Auslin

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: National Treasure: How the Declaration of Independence Made America, Common Sense

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