Monday, August 10, 2026, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

The presidency is one of the most powerful offices in the world—but it was deliberately designed not to be all-powerful. This presentation explores how the Framers of the Constitution created the presidency, why they rejected both monarchy and a weak executive, and the structural safeguards they built into the Constitution to limit presidential authority. The program also examines the Supreme Court's vital role in defining and enforcing those constitutional limits through landmark decisions. We will also look at recent Supreme Court decisions and their impact on the power of the current and future presidencies. 

Peter C. Cohen is a retired attorney with more than 40 years of first-chair  experience in civil litigation, during which he developed deep expertise in the jurisprudence of the United States Supreme Court. He studied, analyzed, and applied hundreds of Supreme Court decisions across a wide range of constitutional issues — addressing them in thousands of legal briefs filed in courts at every level of the judiciary.

Mr. Cohen also served for several years as a professor of law.  His courses explored the origins of the Constitution, the separation of powers, due process, and the rule of law, as well as key cases addressing presidential authority — many of which form the basis of his book, In the Supreme Court’s Own Words: First Principles for Checking Presidential Power and Preserving the Republic.

Advance registration is not required, and this free event is open to all.

This is an Encore Learning Presents event, co-sponsored with the Arlington Public Library

Connect to the presentation online via Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84268052749

Or dial in by phone (for audio only): 301-715-8592

Meeting ID: 842 6805 2749

This event does not require registration. Simply connect to Zoom just before the event begins. We look forward to seeing you all online! Please email questions to info@encorelearning.net.