What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land because it establishes the foundational legal framework for the United States government and the rights of its citizens. It outlines the structure of government, the powers of its branches, and the rights guaranteed to individuals, serving as a guide for all laws made in the country. This principle is reinforced by the Supremacy Clause in Article VI of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it take precedence over state laws and constitutions. Therefore, any law that conflicts with the Constitution is invalid.

The Declaration of Independence, while a critical historical document asserting the colonies' intent to separate from British rule and outlining foundational principles of governance and individual rights, does not have the force of law and is not a legal framework. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution and guarantees specific individual liberties, is an integral part of the Constitution but does not stand as the supreme law itself. Similarly, the Federalist Papers are a series of essays that argue in favor of ratifying the Constitution and offer insight into the intentions of the Framers, but they do not constitute law or establish a governing framework. Therefore, the Constitution uniquely holds the title of the supreme law of