Question

select the correct answer.

according to the constitution, who is the commander-in-chief of the military?

congress
the president
the supreme court
the secretary of defense

Explanation:

Identify the constitutional question

The question asks who holds the title of commander-in-chief of the military according to the United States Constitution.

Analyze the constitutional text

Under Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution, the President is designated as the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States. This is a key feature of the Characteristics of Federal Government designed to ensure civilian control over the military.

Evaluate the given options

• Congress: Holds the power to declare war and fund the military, but does not command it.
• The president: Explicitly designated as the commander-in-chief by Article II.
• The Supreme Court: Head of the judicial branch, has no military command authority.
• The secretary of defense: A cabinet position that assists the president, but is not the constitutional commander-in-chief.

Answer:

• (A) Congress
• (B) the president (Correct answer)
• (C) the Supreme Court
• (D) the secretary of defense