Who has the power to declare war according to the Constitution?

The Constitution grants the power to declare war to Congress. This authority is articulated in Article I, Section 8, which explicitly states that Congress has the power to declare war and manage the affairs related to it. This provision was designed to ensure that the decision to engage in war involves the representatives of the people, reflecting the democratic principle that such a significant action should not be taken unilaterally by a single individual or entity.

While the President does have the role of Commander in Chief of the armed forces and can initiate military action, the formal declaration of war must come from Congress. This separation of powers is a critical aspect of the checks and balances framework established by the Constitution, ensuring that no single branch of government can unilaterally engage the nation in armed conflict. The involvement of Congress is intended to promote deliberation and consensus before entering into war, reinforcing the democratic values upon which the United States was founded.