Which document is considered the law of the land in the United States?

The correct answer is the US Constitution because it serves as the foundational legal document of the United States, establishing the framework of government, the distribution of powers, and the rights of citizens. The Constitution is recognized as the supreme law of the land, meaning that any law or action taken must be in accordance with it. This principle is reinforced by the Supremacy Clause, which asserts that federal law takes precedence over state laws in the event of a conflict.

The Declaration of Independence, while a significant historical document, primarily outlines the reasons for the colonies' separation from British rule and does not serve as a governing legal framework. The Federalist Papers are a collection of writings that were aimed at promoting the ratification of the Constitution and interpreting its provisions but are not legal documents themselves. The Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, details specific protections for individual liberties but is part of the broader Constitution rather than a standalone legal authority. Hence, the US Constitution is central in establishing the legal and governmental structure within which all other documents and amendments operate.