What is the highest law of the land?

The Constitution is recognized as the highest law of the land in the United States. This principle is rooted in the supremacy clause found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, which establishes that the Constitution, along with federal laws made pursuant to it, takes precedence over any conflicting state laws and constitutions. This means that any state legislation or judicial decision must align with the principles and directives of the Constitution; if there is a conflict, the Constitution will prevail.

State constitutions, while governing the affairs of the state and providing local legal frameworks, do not have authority over federal laws or the Constitution itself. Federal statutes are laws enacted by Congress and, although they hold significant power, they are subordinate to the Constitution. Judicial rulings, which interpret the Constitution and law, are essential in applying and defining the Constitution’s meaning, but they do not override its authority. Therefore, recognizing the Constitution as the highest law ensures a cohesive legal structure within which all laws and governance operate.