What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land because it establishes the framework of the federal government and sets forth the fundamental principles and rights that govern the United States. It serves as the highest legal authority, meaning that any law or action taken by federal, state, or local governments must conform to its provisions. This principle is outlined in Article VI, Clause 2, known as the Supremacy Clause, which asserts that the Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it take precedence over conflicting state laws.

In contrast, the Declaration of Independence, while a pivotal document in American history, primarily serves as a statement of values and a declaration of freedom from British rule, rather than a governing legal framework. The Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, is crucial for ensuring individual liberties, but it operates under the authority of the Constitution itself rather than being a standalone supreme law. The Articles of Confederation, which preceded the Constitution, proved ineffective and were eventually replaced, thus losing any claim to being the supreme law. Each of these other documents plays an important historical role but does not supersede the authority of the Constitution in the current legal context.