What protects the basic rights of Americans?

The Constitution is the foundational document of the United States that establishes the framework of government and protects the rights of its citizens. It encompasses a system of checks and balances among the three branches of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights. While the Bill of Rights—comprising the first ten amendments to the Constitution—specifically enumerates individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, these rights are ultimately protected by the Constitution as a whole. The Constitution serves as the supreme law of the land, meaning that any laws or actions that contradict it can be challenged and overturned.

State laws and the Supreme Court play vital roles in interpreting and enforcing constitutional rights, but they do so within the context of the Constitution itself. Consequently, the Constitution is the cornerstone of legal protection for the basic rights of Americans, making it the more comprehensive answer in this context. The assertion is that it is the Constitution that guarantees the overarching protection of rights, thereby establishing a foundational legal structure for all citizens.