The 10th Amendment is only a single sentence, yet it clarifies and codifies that the power rests with the people – not with the officers or agencies of government.
It brings us the citizen super-power of NULLIFICATION. That is, if a federal law or order is in direct conflict with the U.S. Constitution, it is NULL and VOID. Every citizen, agency, or State can ignore illegal federal orders. Make the person or office ordering you to do unlawful things get a court order if they want to compel you to do it.
This goes beyond citizen rights, however. The 10th Amendment also makes it clear that Presidents and other officers of federal government have no powers or authority beyond those specifically given to them by the Constitution. This is how we keep Presidents from becoming kings: you can simply ignore their orders and commands when they exceed their authority.
This is a key concept and a good one to know. It’s even been used in modern times!
Learn more at the Tenth Amendment Center:
- Website: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/
- Video Introduction: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/the-10th-amendment/
- Video Podcast: https://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/pathtoliberty/
- State of Nullification Movement Report: https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/report/
- Join as a member! https://shop.tenthamendmentcenter.com/