Who has the power to declare war?

The Constitution of the United States designates Congress as having the authority to declare war. This power is explicitly outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, where it states that Congress has the power "to declare war." This reflects the framers' intention to ensure that the decision to engage in military conflict involves a deliberative process and representation of the citizens' elected officials rather than being solely in the hands of a single individual.

While the President acts as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and has the ability to direct military operations and respond to emergencies, any formal declaration of war must come from Congress. This separation of powers is designed to provide a system of checks and balances within the government, ensuring that the decision to go to war is made with input and consent from both legislative and executive branches.

In contrast, the other options do not have the authority to declare war. The Supreme Court interprets laws and can rule on their constitutionality, but it does not engage in military decisions. Governors, meanwhile, manage state affairs and do not have authority over military actions on a national scale.