What is considered the highest law of the land?

The U.S. Constitution is considered the highest law of the land because it establishes the foundational legal framework for the United States government and represents the supreme authority in the country. It outlines the structure of the government, the powers of its various branches, and the rights of the states and citizens. This supremacy is affirmed by the Supremacy Clause found in Article VI of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties made under its authority, shall be the supreme law of the land. This means that any law or regulation that contradicts the Constitution is deemed invalid.

In contrast, the Declaration of Independence, while a pivotal document that articulates the principles of liberty and government by consent, does not have legal authority. The Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, serves to protect individual liberties but is part of the Constitution itself rather than an independent source of law. The Articles of Confederation served as the first governing document of the U.S. but were ultimately replaced by the Constitution due to their inadequacies in establishing an effective federal government. Thus, the Constitution's role as the supreme legal document makes it the highest law of the land.