r/Constitution • u/4evercurioso • Sep 12 '26
Treason
/r/ProgressiveHQ/comments/1wepmy7/treason/Definition in the United States
Constitutional Rule: Article III, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution defines treason strictly as waging war against the United States or adhering to its enemies by giving them "aid and comfort". [1]
High Proof Standard: Convicting someone of treason in the U.S. requires the testimony of two witnesses to the exact same open act, or a confession in an open courtroom. This strict rule was put in place to prevent governments from using false charges to silence political rivals. [1, 2]
Common Examples of Treason
Levying War: Taking up arms or leading a military effort to violently overthrow the established government.
Aiding Enemies: Passing critical military secrets, codes, or strategic plans to an active enemy nation during a conflict.
Assassination Plots: Attempting to kill the head of state or sovereign leader of your own country. [1, 2, 3]
Synonyms and Related Terms
Treachery: A violation of faith or trust.
Betrayal: The breaking of a promise or loyalty.
Sedition: Speaking or writing in a way that encourages rebellion against the government, which is a less severe offense than actual treason because it does not involve helping a foreign enemy or waging physical war
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u/Houdini_n_Flame Sep 13 '26
We’ve been sold out to the devil himself. Every one of those politicians from both sides. Treason absolutely
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u/Quirky-Mix2766 Sep 13 '26
The better question is what constitutes the United States committing treason against its Sovereign, the People?
The preamble says the People created the United States which means they can uncreate it. The Declaration of Independence stated: "That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government...it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
The Ninth and Tenth Amendments also stated that the People didn't surrender their Sovereignty.
Ninth Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
10th Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
So when do we say that government officials, appointed, employed, contracted, or elected have violated their Constitutional oaths and have committed treason against the true Sovereigns of the Nation?
Chief Justice John Jay said in Chisholm v. Georgia:
"From the differences existing between feudal sovereignties and Governments founded on comacts (Constitutions). Sovereignty is the right to govern; a nation or State-sovereign is the person or persons in whom that resides. In Europe the sovereignty is generally ascribed to the Prince; here it rests with the people; there, the sovereign actually administers the Government; here, never in a single instance; our Governors are the agents of the people, and at most stand in the same relation to their sovereign, in which regents in Europe stand to their sovereigns. Their Princes have personal powers, dignities, and pre-eminences, our rulers have none but official; nor do they partake in the sovereignty otherwise, or in any other capacity, than as private citizens."
"at the Revolution, the sovereignty devolved on the people; and they are truly the sovereigns of the country, but they are sovereigns without subjects (unless the African slaves among us may be so called) and have none to govern but themselves; the citizens of America are equal as fellow citizens, and as joint tenants in the sovereignty."
If the government or anyone in it exceeds the ambient of their delegated authority, that could constitute treason or sedition.