Katherine Pringle and Ian Bruckner Featured on Re-Examination Podcast

Friedman Kaplan partner Katherine Pringle and associate Ian Bruckner were recently guests on the Re-Examination podcast discussing the amicus brief they, along with Friedman Kaplan partner Larry Robbins and paralegal Lilley Gallagher and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, filed earlier this year on behalf of 15 leading Founding Era historians in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Trump v. United States. In that case, former President Trump asserts that he should be immune from criminal charges of conspiracy to thwart the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election. The brief uses extensive historical evidence to show that the Framers of the Constitution approached the creation of the presidency intending to avoid creating an elective monarchy, which is why they created an executive accountable to the law.

Re-Examination is a podcast that revisits legal history with the lawyers behind it, focusing on the cases and advocacy that have brought about transformative change. In this episode, Kate and Ian discuss their research, writing process, and the brief's widespread resonance. The podcast also covers Justice Sotomayor’s reference to the amicus brief during oral argument when she highlighted the importance of historical intent, noting that the Founders talked about, but chose not to grant, immunity to the president. Kate and Ian also share their reactions to the arguments in the brief striking a chord not only with some of the justices, but also resonating with the public and garnering attention from outlets such as MSNBC, The Guardian, Law360, and The Washington Post.

The episode, titled “Trump v. U.S. through the lens of history,” is available here.