Alien Enemies Act: Why James Madison DIDN’T Oppose it

"With respect to alien enemies, no doubt has been intimated as to the federal authority over them." That was James Madison, referring to the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 - an act he saw as constitutional while rejecting the rest of the Alien and Sedition Acts. In this episode, you’ll learn what the act actually says, why Madison defended it while opposing the others, and how narrowly it applies in practice.