Fact Check: The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Fact Check: "The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land."

What We Know

The claim that "The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land" is explicitly stated in the Constitution itself. Article VI, Clause 2, known as the Supremacy Clause, asserts that "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land" (source-1, source-2). This clause establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws, ensuring that all judges in every state are bound by it, regardless of any conflicting state laws.

Additionally, various legal interpretations and historical documents reinforce this principle. For instance, the Legal Information Institute states that the Constitution is the supreme law to which all government entities, both state and federal, must adhere. This is further supported by the American History Museum, which emphasizes that all laws in the United States must comply with the Constitution.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and directly sourced from the U.S. Constitution. The Supremacy Clause is a foundational element of American law, and its interpretation has been upheld by numerous court rulings over the years. For example, the Wikipedia entry on the Supremacy Clause explains that it establishes the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties as the highest legal authority in the United States, superseding any conflicting state laws.

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are derived from official legal texts and reputable educational institutions. The Constitution itself is the primary source of law in the United States, and interpretations from legal scholars and institutions like the Library of Congress and the Cornell Law School provide authoritative context and explanations.

While some may argue about the application of the Constitution in specific cases, the fundamental principle that it is the supreme law of the land remains uncontested in legal discourse. The claim is not only supported by the text of the Constitution but also by the established legal framework and historical context.

Conclusion

The verdict is True. The U.S. Constitution is indeed the supreme law of the land, as explicitly stated in Article VI, Clause 2. This principle is foundational to the legal system of the United States, ensuring that all laws and treaties must align with the Constitution, thereby maintaining the rule of law across the nation.

Sources

1. Overview of Supremacy Clause | Constitution Annotated | Congress.gov
2. U.S. Constitution - Article VI | Resources | Library of Congress
3. What is the supreme law of the land?
4. Article 2 Section 3 - Supreme law of the land; authority to ...
5. Article VI | U.S. Constitution | US Law - Legal Information Institute
6. Constitution of the United States
7. Article VI Supreme Law - Constitution Annotated - Congress.gov
8. Supremacy Clause - Wikipedia