Chris Edelson

Chris Edelson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Government at American University. He specializes in presidential national security power under the U.S. Constitution, with a focus on emergency authority and constitutional governance. His research and courses, such as 'Constitution, Presidential Power, and the War on Terror,' analyze the evolution of executive power from the Founding Era to the post-9/11 context.

• Education: JD from Harvard Law School, BA from Brandeis University

Edelson’s scholarly work examines how modern presidential actions test constitutional boundaries. His publications include books on emergency powers and post-9/11 governance, alongside law review articles critiquing judicial approaches to constitutional interpretation. Recent professional presentations address topics like the constitutional implications of the Trump administration and unaccountable presidential authority during the pandemic.

He is affiliated with the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University and teaches courses related to constitutional law and national security. His work bridges legal analysis, historical context, and contemporary political challenges to U.S. constitutional democracy.