Which document outlines the framework of the United States government?

The Constitution is the foundational document that outlines the framework of the United States government. It establishes the structure of the national government, delineates the powers and responsibilities of each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—and lays out the processes through which these branches operate. Additionally, the Constitution includes provisions for amending the document and outlines the relationship between the federal government and the states.

In contrast, the Declaration of Independence primarily served to announce and justify the colonies' separation from British rule, rather than to structure a government. The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, focuses on protecting individual liberties and is not a comprehensive framework for governance. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and elaborate on its principles but do not constitute the governing apparatus themselves. Therefore, the Constitution is the key document that aptly defines how the U.S. government is organized and operates.