Who has the power to declare war?

The power to declare war is vested in Congress according to the United States Constitution. This is outlined in Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the authority "to declare war." This reflects the framers' intent to ensure that such a significant decision would involve deliberation and representation from the people's elected officials rather than being solely in the hands of the executive branch.

The President has the role of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, which allows the President to direct military operations and respond to sudden threats without an official declaration of war. However, any sustained military action that may be defined as war requires Congressional approval to ensure a balance of power and prevent any one branch of government from unilaterally engaging the nation in lengthy conflicts.

While the Supreme Court interprets laws and may review the legality of actions taken during wartime, it does not have the authority to declare war itself. Similarly, the Secretary of Defense, as a cabinet member, manages and oversees the defense department but does not have the power to declare war. Congress, therefore, is the correct answer as it holds the constitutional authority to declare war, reflecting the principle of checks and balances in the U.S. government.