What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land in the United States. This status is established in Article VI, Clause 2, of the Constitution, often referred to as the Supremacy Clause, which indicates that the Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it take precedence over state laws and constitutions. The Constitution sets the foundational legal framework for the country, outlining the structure of government, the separation of powers, and the rights of individuals.

Other documents, like the Declaration of Independence, were crucial in establishing the principles of American governance and independence from British rule, but they do not function as legal authority within the framework of U.S. law. The Articles of Confederation served as the first governing document of the United States but were ultimately found to be ineffective, leading to the drafting of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights, while vital for protecting individual liberties, is essentially an amendment to the Constitution and does not hold the same overarching authority.