What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is known as the supreme law of the land because it establishes the fundamental legal framework for the United States government and outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the government and its citizens. This principle is articulated in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, commonly referred to as the Supremacy Clause, which states that the Constitution and federal laws made pursuant to it take precedence over state laws and constitutions.

While the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution and specifically enumerates individual rights, it does not serve as the overarching legal framework itself. The Declaration of Independence, although a significant historical document asserting the colonies' intent to separate from British rule, does not function as a legal document in the same way the Constitution does. The Articles of Confederation served as the first governing document of the United States but were ultimately deemed inadequate, leading to their replacement by the current Constitution. Therefore, the Constitution stands as the supreme legal authority in the United States.