Which institution has the sole power to declare war?

Which institution has the sole power to declare war?

• A. Congress
• B. The President
• C. The Supreme Court
• D. The War Department

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the power to declare war is given to the legislative branch by the Constitution. Congress has the authority to declare war, authorize military action, and fund it. The President, while acting as Commander-in-Chief and directing the armed forces, cannot unilaterally declare war. The Supreme Court’s role is to interpret laws, not to authorize or declare war. The War Department (now part of the Department of Defense) is a military agency under the executive branch, not a body that declares war. Because only Congress holds the formal power to declare war, that option is the correct one.

The key idea is that the power to declare war is given to the legislative branch by the Constitution. Congress has the authority to declare war, authorize military action, and fund it. The President, while acting as Commander-in-Chief and directing the armed forces, cannot unilaterally declare war. The Supreme Court’s role is to interpret laws, not to authorize or declare war. The War Department (now part of the Department of Defense) is a military agency under the executive branch, not a body that declares war. Because only Congress holds the formal power to declare war, that option is the correct one.