The Federalist Society will present a new installment of its America 250 series, The Founders Gave Us the Tools, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET, exploring how state constitutions shaped the American Founding and continue to influence constitutional interpretation today. The program will feature Jeffrey S. Sutton, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, who will open a discussion on the role of state constitutions as critical testing grounds for the federal Constitution. Often overlooked, these early charters helped define the structure and protections later embedded in the national framework, and they remain vital, independent safeguards of individual liberty within the federal system. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the program will examine how state constitutions continue to operate not only as historical influences but as living sources of constitutional meaning and protection. Additional speakers include Nels S. D. Peterson, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, and Timothy Sandefur, Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Goldwater Institute, with moderation by Jennifer Perkins, Judge of the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One.
Learn more or register to attend on the Federalist Society website.