Who has the power to declare war according to the U.S. Constitution?

The answer indicating that "the President" has the power to declare war requires clarification. According to the U.S. Constitution, the authority to declare war is not solely given to the President; it is designated to Congress as a whole. Specifically, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, while the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, has the authority to direct military operations and respond to emergencies without a formal declaration of war.

Thus, while the President plays a significant role in military decisions and can engage in military actions, the formal declaration of war must come from Congress. This division of powers serves as a check on the executive branch, ensuring that the power to engage in warfare is not solely invested in one individual. The involvement of both Congress and the President reflects the framers' intention of balancing military power alongside democratic accountability.