Of all the crimes defined by law, only one is mentioned in the U.S. Constitution: Treason! This distinction, however, was not meant to deter dissent, but rather to protect it. Knowing well how England had levied the charge against those whose voices they found subversive, our founders sought to ensure the citizens of their newly formed nation would always be free to disagree with the government.
But has this idealism been upheld over the years? And where, even in a country which promotes liberty and free speech, should the line be drawn? Some say recent activities by the Trump administration amount to treason, but while laws may have been broken, treason is unlikely to be one of them.
This hour we speak with historians and legal experts about the crime of treason.
GUESTS:
- Jeremy Duda - Reporter for The Arizona Capitol Times and author of If This Be Treason: The American Rogues and Rebels Who Walked the Line Between Dissent and Betrayal
- Carlton Larson - Professor of Law at U.C. Davis and an expert on the constitution and American legal history; author of the forthcoming book Trials of Allegiance: Treason, Juries and The American Revolution
- Joe Walsh - Conservative talk radio host of The Joe Walsh Show and former U.S. congressman from Illinois
You can join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
