What is considered the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution is considered the supreme law of the land because it establishes the framework for the government of the United States and outlines the fundamental rights of its citizens. Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, often referred to as the Supremacy Clause, explicitly states that the Constitution, as well as federal laws made pursuant to it, shall be the supreme law of the land. This means that when there is a conflict between federal laws and state laws, federal law prevails, emphasizing the Constitution's ultimate authority in governing the country.

In contrast, the Declaration of Independence serves as a historic document that announces the colonies' separation from Britain but does not establish any legal framework for governance. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States but proved to be ineffective, leading to the adoption of the Constitution. The Federalist Papers are a series of essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and provide insight into the intentions of the framers but are not governing documents themselves. Thus, the Constitution holds the highest legal authority within the United States.