Opinion columnist David French sat down with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch for a wide‑range recent conversation timed to the nation’s 250th anniversary. The dialogue, recorded for the NYT’s “The Opinions” podcast, explores how the radical ideas of 1776 still shape the Court and the broader political climate. Gorsuch and co‑author Janie Nitze also discuss their new children’s book, Heroes of 1776.

French steered the interview toward Gorsuch’s originalist methodology, his views on Native American jurisprudence, and the craft of opinion writing, all while respecting the court’s prohibition on discussing pending cases. Gorsuch described the Declaration’s drafting as a blend of humility and strategy, noting John Adams pushed Thomas Jefferson to pen the document despite limited popular support at the time.

The conversation underscores why Gorsuch believes the founding principles are both a moral compass and a source of tension for contemporary governance. By framing the Declaration as a living document, he hopes the book will spur younger readers to grapple with those tensions rather than accept them passively. The podcast offers a rare glimpse into a justice’s interpretive lens.