U.S. Constitution News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

Stay up to date with WRAL’s U.S. Constitution news and reporting coverage

President Trump's executive order on flag burning rekindles free speech debate

Donald Trump signed an executive order that appears to make burning the American flag illegal. The order faces legal challenges, as the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that flag burning is a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment.

Trump signs executive order on flag burning: What it means for free speech

NC lawmakers weigh call for constitutional convention

North Carolina lawmakers are scheduled to debate whether to officially call for a national convention to make changes to the U.S. Constitution. Supporters want to change rules around term limits for federal officials as well as members of Congress.

A third Trump term? NC lawmakers set to return to debate over rewriting U.S. Constitution

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol bureau chief

JAMELLE BOUIE: There is no going back

Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 -- The president's opponents, whoever they are, cannot expect a return to the Constitution as it was.

In Depth with Dan: Making sense of the constitutional amendment on the NC ballot

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty explored what the proposed constitutional amendment means on 2024 North Carolina ballots.

'If it ain't broke, don't fix it': Why one law professor says NC constitutional amendment unneeded

We've been getting questions from viewers about the constitutional amendment that's on the ballot this fall, asking what it does and why some people say it's necessary. WRAL sat down with a legal scholar to get answers.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

'If it ain't broke, don't fix it': Why one law professor says NC constitutional amendment unneeded

Copy of US constitution up for auction, bid of $1M already reached

The minimum bid for the auction of $1 million has already been made for the 237-year-old document.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Is Trump the law unto himself?

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

NC lawmakers propose changes to US Constitution

Most constitutional amendments come from Congress, but an article 5 convention would allow delegates, instead of Congress, to propose amendments instead.

NC House leaders propose changes to US Constitution

Most constitutional amendments come from Congress, but an article 5 convention would allow delegates, instead of Congress, to propose amendments instead.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

NC House leaders propose changes to US Constitution

Key NC Republicans call for changes to U.S. Constitution

An annual proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution has gained strength in the North Carolina House of Representatives, but major hurdles remain.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Key NC Republicans call for changes to U.S. Constitution

NC Speaker backs term limits for U.S. Congress

North Carolina Republicans try again to boost a constitutional convention on congressional term limits. An effort fell short 2 years ago.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC Speaker backs term limits for U.S. Congress

First edition of the U.S. Constitution sells for over $43M

A rare first printing of the United States Constitution sold for $43.2 million, a record amount for any document or book sold at auction.

Fact check: Are atheists 'prohibited from holding office' in North Carolina and 7 other states?

A popular Instagram post says atheists are prohibited from holding office in North Carolina and seven other states. PolitiFact finds there's some truth to that claim.

Jeff Cercone, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Are atheists 'prohibited from holding office' in North Carolina and 7 other states?

MARTIN BRINKLEY: No one, in America, is above the law

Monday, Jan. 4, 2021 -- Continued efforts to allege fraud after judges have decided to the contrary are an affront to democracy. The recent unprecedented effort by some House and Senate members to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election is a dangerous assault on the rule of law itself.

Fact check: Biden falsely says Barrett confirmation 'unconstitutional'

Asked whether he would consider adding justices to the Supreme Court if elected, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden claimed Senate Republicans' move to install Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the vacant seat less than a month before Election Day was "not constitutional."

Bill McCarthy, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Biden falsely says Barrett confirmation 'unconstitutional'

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Trump asserts his Constitutional prerogative

Feb. 3, 2020 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Fact check: Facebook post says Trump can run for president 2 more times

As the U.S. Senate continues the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, a meme is circulating claiming that if the Senate does not convict, Trump can run for president two more times.

Tom Kertscher, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Facebook post says Trump can run for president 2 more times

Editorial: Tillman offers 'EXHIBIT A' of illegal gerrymandered congressional maps

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 -- When the courts look to the motivation behind the latest version of North Carolina's 13 congressional districts, the lecture from state Sen. Jerry Tillman will be EXHIBIT A. The legislative majority's goal in creating the latest version of congressional districts was, to paraphrase another legislator's now famous words, if they couldn't draw districts to give the legislature's majority party a 10-3 advantage, they'd draw them to give the party an 8-5 majority.