On July 4, 2026, the U.S. marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This anniversary is a rare opportunity to reflect on America’s founding ideals, how they’ve been interpreted, and their meaning today.
Organizations nationwide are planning programs around themes like the Constitution, free speech, democracy, and civic engagement. A distinguished speaker is essential to connect these ideas to real stories, historical insight, and shared values.
Below are eight distinguished voices whose expertise in history, law, and public life make them compelling choices for thoughtful, balanced America 250 events.
1. Jeffrey Rosen: Constitutional Law & Civic Dialogue
Jeffrey Rosen is the President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, where he hosts the constitutional conversation podcast, “We the People.” He is a professor of law at George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor at The Atlantic. A graduate of Harvard, Oxford, and Yale Law School, his books illuminate key figures and ideas in American law, including the New York Times bestseller “The Pursuit of Happiness.” His works also feature Conversations with RBG and biographies of Brandeis and Taft.
2. Jonathan Turley: Legal Scholar & Free Speech Authority
Jonathan Turley is a nationally recognized legal scholar who holds the Shapiro Chair for Public Interest Law at George Washington University. Known for his work in constitutional law, he has testified more than 100 times before Congress. He is the author of the best-selling “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage” and has a forthcoming book, “Rage and The Republic.” Frequently cited as a leading public intellectual and legal analyst, he has published extensively in top law journals including those at Harvard, Duke, and the University of Chicago.
3. Samantha Barbas: Legal History & First Amendment
Samantha Barbas is a legal historian and First Amendment scholar focused on the intersection of law, culture, media, and technology. She holds the Aliber Family Chair in Law at the University of Iowa College of Law. She is the author of seven books, including “Actual Malice: Civil Rights and Freedom of the Press in New York Times v. Sullivan,” a work recognized by The New Yorker. A National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar, she frequently lectures and contributes commentary on First Amendment issues to outlets like the Washington Post and USA Today.
4. Akhil Amar: Preeminent Constitutional Scholar
Akhil Reed Amar is the Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, having joined the faculty at age 26. He is the only living Yale professor to receive the university’s “triple crown” for scholarship, teaching, and alumni service. His work has been cited by Supreme Court justices in over fifty cases. He is the author of “The Words That Made Us” and hosts the weekly podcast “Amarica’s Constitution.” A Yale graduate, he clerked for then-Judge Stephen Breyer.
5. Valerie Jarrett: Civic Leadership & Governance
Valerie Jarrett is a civic leader and CEO of the Barack Obama Foundation. She served as Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, chairing the White House Council on Women and Girls. She is a Senior Distinguished Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School and author of the New York Times bestseller “Finding My Voice.” Jarrett brings extensive public and private sector experience, having held leadership roles in housing, city planning, and transit, in addition to serving on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards.
6. Jon Meacham: Presidential Historian & Author
Jon Meacham is a Pulitzer Prize–winning presidential historian and bestselling author known for bringing American history to life. A sought-after speaker, he is a former editor of Newsweek and a frequent television commentator. His acclaimed works include biographies on Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and George H.W. Bush, along with books like “The Soul of America,” which explores national challenge and division. A Distinguished Visiting Professor at Vanderbilt, he also hosts podcasts such as “Hope Through History.”
7. David French: Civic Life, Law, & Military
David French is a columnist for The New York Times and a New York Times bestselling author, addressing law, politics, and civic life. A Harvard Law graduate, he previously served as a senior editor at The Dispatch and a writer at The Atlantic. His unique perspective stems from his background as a constitutional litigator and a former major in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he was awarded the Bronze Star during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His books include Divided We Fall.
8. Nadine Strossen: Civil Liberties & Free Expression
Nadine Strossen is John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law Emerita at New York Law School. She served as President of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 1991 to 2008. A leading expert on constitutional law and civil liberties, she is a Senior Fellow with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Education (FIRE). Recognized as one of America’s “100 Most Influential Lawyers,” her books include “HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship.”
Ready to book your America 250 speaker?
Planning an event that commemorates, reflects, or contemplates the nation’s next chapter requires impact. An expert speaker can transform your program into an unforgettable experience. Contact us today to secure a speaker for your 250th anniversary event.
