Your Weekly Constitutional

The Constitution gives the President wide powers over foreign affairs, powers which the President typically exercises through his Secretary of State. Recently our current Secretary, John Kerry, made a momentous announcement with far-ranging legal and political implications: ISIS is committing genocide. And it is committing genocide not only against Muslims, but against Christians and other groups, such as the Yazidi people, who practice a faith that incorporates elements of both Christianity and other religious traditions. Attorney Ian Speir, who specializes in representing religious organizations, was one of the authors of a detailed report that prompted Kerry to make his declaration. Ian tells us the story and discusses the legal and political implications of genocide.