He wrote, “he genius of the Constitution rests not in any static meaning it might have had in a world that is dead and gone, but in the adaptability of its great principles to cope with current problems and current needs.” In a speech at Georgetown, Brennan charged that originalism was “little more than arrogance cloaked as humility.” REF Brennan endorsed living constitutionalism and rejected originalism. Three months later, Justice William Brennan, the liberal lion, felt compelled to respond.

He announced emphatically that the Reagan Administration would press for “a Jurisprudence of Original Intention.” REF The DOJ would “endeavor to resurrect the original meaning of constitutional provisions and statutes as the only reliable guide for judgment.” Meese’s remarks sent shockwaves through the legal profession and struck a nerve at the Supreme Court. The Justice Department was staffed with Federalist Society attorneys, and Attorney General Meese gave three foundational speeches.įirst, in 1985, General Meese spoke to the American Bar Association.

Judge Antonin Scalia became Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice William Rehnquist became Chief Justice Rehnquist. Over the span of one year, from 1985 to 1986, there would be a revolution in the law. And in 1985, I turned one year old: Thanks, Mom and Dad. Chief Justice Warren Burger would begin his final term on the Supreme Court. Attorney General Meese was sworn in as the 75th Attorney General. President Ronald Reagan was sworn in for a second term. Maybe you don’t quite know, but I hope today to give you some history to explain why this lecture is so significant. It’s sort of like having an audience with the pope: It’s kind of special to just have him in your presence. We’re honored here especially as we have Attorney General Ed Meese in the room. It’s an honor to deliver the inaugural Edwin Meese originalism lecture.

Edwin meese center heritage foundation