What does the 10th Amendment state?

The 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution clearly states that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. This amendment emphasizes the principle of federalism, which is a system of governance that divides power between a central authority and smaller political units, like states.

The essence of the 10th Amendment is to protect the rights of states and individuals by affirming that any powers not explicitly granted to the federal government remain with the states or the people. This means that the federal government has limited powers, which are defined within the Constitution, and anything outside of that framework is controlled by state governments or reserved for the people collectively. This amendment is essential for maintaining the balance of power and ensuring that local governance reflects the needs and rights of its citizens.

The other options misrepresent the scope and intention of the 10th Amendment. The second choice incorrectly suggests that all powers are reserved exclusively for the federal government, which contradicts the very purpose of the amendment. The third choice implies that the President holds unilateral power to override state laws, which disregards the system of checks and balances that limits any single branch's authority. Lastly, the fourth choice inaccurately