Season 6, Episode 17 (Show 279): Scrip for Scripture on the National Mall

May 20, 2026

The Trump Administration holds – and pays for – a national prayer marathon on the National Mall, presenting an opportunity to put our religious constitutionalism lessons to work.

CLE Credit Available for this episode from podcast.njsba.com.

After weeks of tracing the background history and constitutional principles at work on religious establishment, free exercise, and equality issues, the Administration on cue sponsors, holds, staffs, and headlines a “Rededication 250: A National Jubilee Of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,” complete with a virtually all-Christian (one Jew) speaker roster, a White House website, money from Congress’ apportionment of funds for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration commemorations, and a drumbeat of emphasis of supposedly American Christian traditions.  We take it slowly and look at how it fits into the constitutional rubrics that we have examined.  Meanwhile, it’s the Yale Commencement, and Akhil has commentary on the main speaker.  And a number of news developments harken back to our podcasts past – how did we do?

(LAWYERS AND JUDGES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CREDIT by visiting podcast.njsba.com after listening.)

Show Notes:

How to get Continuing Legal Education Credit for listening!

Virtually all lawyers and judges admitted to practice anywhere in the USA can obtain CLE (Continuing Legal Education) credit after listening to this episode by visiting podcast.njsba.com.  You do not have to be a New Jersey lawyer or resident or admitted to the NJ Bar; essentially every state has reciprocity arrangements with New Jersey.  When you visit the site you fill out a form and provide the code Andy read during the episode, pay a small fee, and within two weeks you will receive the certificate from New Jersey.  It couldn’t be easier.  Thanks to the New Jersey Bar Association for making this possible!  Note, too, that other podcast episodes from our “back catalog” now qualify for this credit as well.

Click to go to the website for CLE credit

Brief of West Virginia in Redistricting Case

After the Supreme Court of Virginia strikes down the redistricting effort in Virginia, Democratic legislators appeal to the Supreme Court.  West Virginia submits a brief, and we examine the quote and citation on page 8 of the brief.

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Maryland No Kings Act - 2026

The Maryland “No Kings Act” has been signed into law by the governor.  This copy of the statute contains markups that reveal earlier wordings that didn’t make the cut.  Converse 1983 is real!

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