Is the federal government obligated to avoid denying persons the equal protection of the law? Why or why not?


A. No, because the equal protection clause only applies to the states.


B. Yes, because it's the right thing to do.


C. No, because the federal government does not have a history of discrimination.


D. Yes, because the Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause contains this obligation.

I think it's D, but do not find anything in my book to support it.

Yes, it's D.

You are correct, the answer is D. The federal government is indeed obligated to avoid denying persons the equal protection of the law. This obligation stems from the Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause, which states that no person shall "be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."

To find this answer, you can start by examining the text of the Fifth Amendment itself. The language of the Fifth Amendment provides a guarantee of due process of law, which includes equal protection under the law. The phrase "equal protection" refers to the principle that all individuals should be treated fairly and equally by the government.

Additionally, legal precedent supports this interpretation. The Supreme Court has consistently held that the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment incorporates the principle of equal protection, meaning that the federal government must comply with the same standards as the states in ensuring equal treatment.

While your book may not explicitly mention this specific obligation of the federal government, you can infer it by examining the text of the Fifth Amendment and understanding its interpretation by the courts. It's always helpful to have a broader understanding of legal principles and be able to make connections between different parts of the Constitution to arrive at the correct answer.