Jameson C. Broggi

Jameson C. Broggi is a U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate, currently stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina. Before going active duty, Jameson clerked for the Honorable Joseph Falvey on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. He has broad governmental and nonprofit experience, having held positions in the U.S. Senate, the South Carolina Senate, the Federal Communications Commission, The Heritage Foundation’s Edwin Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, and the chambers of Judge Richard J. Leon at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Jameson earned his J.D. at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. He is the author of the South Carolina REACH Act, signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster on April 28, 2021. The Act requires all South Carolina college students to take a three-credit hour class on the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and The Federalist Papers to graduate.

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What is your current position?

I am a United States Marine Officer and Judge Advocate.

What inspired you to choose this career path?

I am grateful to be an American and always wanted to become a U.S. Marine. Becoming a Marine Corps Judge Advocate allowed me to combine being both a Marine and love of the law.

What are you currently working on?

Professionally, I am currently a defense counsel where I defend clients against prosecution.

Personally, I am working to get the North Carolina legislature to enact the Reclaiming College Education on America’s Constitutional Heritage (REACH) Act. If enacted, it will require all college students to complete a three-credit-hour class on the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers. It passed the N.C. House but has stalled in the N.C. Senate because UNC is lobbying against it.

What is your fondest memory of the Claremont Institute?

That’s a very difficult question. Both the faculty and the fellowship equally tie. The teaching done at Claremont is incredible. Learning and studying America’s first principles and what makes our Country great was amazing. But the fellows in my John Marshall class were also an amazing group of people.

There are all sorts of educational programs out there for current and rising conservative professionals. What do you think makes the Claremont Institute’s Fellowships unique?

Much like my previous answer, the caliber of both the faculty and the fellowship is unmatched. And that goes all the way from intellect, knowledge, and personal character.

Who would it be, why, and what would you discuss, if you could have a conversation with an American Founder, or any great thinker?

George Washington. I would like to know why he never gave up, even over great odds, and why he thought America could win the eight year war for independence from Great Britain.

Who was more important for their time, George Washington or Abraham Lincoln? Why?

George Washington. Abraham Lincoln was an outstanding president but we would not even have this discussion if Washington did not first lead the way.

What would the artifact be, if you could hold one piece of history from the early founding of our country and why?

Perhaps George Washington’s surveyor compass. Many people do not know that Washington was a surveyor early in his life. I think those experiences surveying wilderness, learning maps, and being comfortable in the outdoors allowed him to successfully lead in the French and Indian War, which in turn prepared him to win a large war years later.

What Amendment do you believe is in the greatest danger of being lost and why?

It sure seems like the First Amendment’s is in the greatest danger of being weakened. There are many who wrongly believe if they get offended by what another says then they can silence the other.

What qualities do you believe will make outstanding statesmen/women in this century?

1. Character. 2. Judeo-Christian Understanding. 3. Toughness. 4. Knowledge of history and our Constitutional structure.

What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the United States today?

Loss of knowledge of what it means to be an American. Knowledge of our American principles is not something with which Americans are born knowing. Rather, it is something that is taught and learned. Loss of knowledge of our unifying founding principles means we will become a fragmented society.

What book, speech, or movie has left a lasting impression with you and why?

In his first inaugural address, Reagan spoke about fallen serviceman from WWI, Martin Treptow, who died on the Western front from artillery fire. On his body was his journal, which contained these words on the flyleaf:

“America must win this war. Therefore I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”

I like this speech, and more specifically, Treptow’s pledge, because often the best things only get accomplished when each person acts as if winning depended on his actions alone.