I'm John Batchel, visiting with Professor Richard Epstein teaches law at NYU in the University of Chicago.

He writes for the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas.

I read from Newsweek.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has approved a campaign to gather signatures petitioning for a vote on whether the

Golden State should leave the U.S. and become an independent country.

Cal Exit, a group that campaigns the California Independence Movement, described Mr. Trump's

presidential election win in November as an attack on everything California cares about.

It also argued Calax it did that it

strengthens the state's case for secession. Secession never far from us, Richard. I have to believe

that either these individuals, Cal Exit, have not read adequately on the tragedy of the Civil War in the 19th century, or that this

is meant as some preparation for a campaign in 28 for Gavin Newsom for president. Is there a case for

secession in the Constitution? Does it exist?

Because we went through this in 1859 and 1860 and 1861.

It apparently is back.

Well, if you take John Calhoun, his view was that the Constitution was a compact amongst independent states,

something of the nature of a partnership. And the moment

a single member of the partnership wishes to get out, they can withdraw just as they could with

respect to business or charitable organizations of that song. It turns out we called it a civil war.

And what that meant is it's not independent states. It's one nation indivisible.

You recall that phrase under the President of Allegiance. That was essentially the answer in 1891 or

two to the secessionist's claim. Right now, California cannot do anything unilaterally.

That has to be an amendment that would approve of this, which would require, of course,

...