In the U.S., who has the power to declare war?

The power to declare war in the United States lies with Congress, as outlined in the Constitution. Specifically, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the authority to "declare war," which underscores the importance of legislative oversight over military actions and ensures that a collective body representing the electorate has a say in such a significant decision. This framework was established to prevent any one individual from unilaterally drawing the nation into conflict, thereby promoting a system of checks and balances among the branches of government.

While the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, plays a critical role in military decisions and operations, the formal declaration of war must come from Congress. This separation of powers helps maintain a democratic process in matters of war and peace. Other options, like the Supreme Court and the Secretary of Defense, do not have the constitutional authority to declare war, as their roles focus on different aspects of governance and military management.