What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land. This designation is rooted in the U.S. Constitution itself, specifically in Article VI, which declares that the Constitution, along with federal laws and treaties made under its authority, takes precedence over state laws and constitutions. This means that any law or policy that contradicts the Constitution is invalid.

The Declaration of Independence, while a significant historical document asserting the colonies' intention to separate from Great Britain, does not serve as a governing legal framework. Similarly, the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, provides specific protections for individual rights but does not hold the status of a governing authority over the laws of the land. The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution for the United States but were rendered ineffective and replaced by the current Constitution, thus further establishing the latter as the supreme legal authority.