By — Ali Rogin Ali Rogin By — Kyle Midura Kyle Midura Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/sophia-nelson-on-redefining-freedom-and-living-up-to-americas-founding-principles Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio When asked what sort of government the United States had, Benjamin Franklin famously said, "A republic, if you can keep it." Like many, columnist Sophia Nelson has been wondering how well we have kept it. Her new book, "Redefining Freedom," seeks to answer that question and provide recommendations for how we can adapt America's founding principles. Ali Rogin sat down with Nelson to discuss more. Listen to this Segment Watch Watch the Full Episode PBS NewsHour from May 20, 2026 By — Ali Rogin Ali Rogin Ali Rogin is a correspondent for the PBS News Hour covering the Supreme Court and America's judicial system. She received a Peabody Award in 2021 for her work on News Hour’s series on the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect worldwide. Rogin is also the recipient of two Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association and has been a part of several teams nominated for an Emmy, including for her work covering the fall of ISIS in 2020, the Las Vegas mass shooting in 2017, the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2014, and the 2010 midterm elections. By — Kyle Midura Kyle Midura