Which level of government has the power to declare war?

The federal government has the power to declare war, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the authority to declare war, ensuring that this significant decision is made at the national level. The rationale behind this allocation of power is to provide a unified response to threats and to involve a larger, representative body in the decision-making process rather than allowing individual states or local governments to act independently.

State and local governments do not possess the constitutional authority to declare war, as military matters and foreign policy fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. This structure is designed to maintain coherence and strength in the nation's defense and international relations. Thus, the correct answer is indeed the federal government.