By
Paul E Vallely MG, US Army (Ret)
LTG Tom McInerney USAF (Ret)
March 28, 2025
What article and section of the Constitution defines treason?
U.S. law defines treason as a high crime that poses an extreme threat to the nation, a massive, dangerous betrayal. The Constitution of the United States. Article III, Section 3: Treason against the United States shall only be committed against them or in response to their Enemies, providing them with aid and comfort. Treason is the only crime defined in the United States Constitution. It was narrowly limited to avoid countless notorious past abuses perpetrated by governments. In debates during the creation of the Constitution, the main concern was not about drafting a law that would allow the government to prosecute traitors. It was to prevent “the numerous and dangerous excrescences (monstrosities)” that had been a feature of English and European laws of treason. The founding fathers wanted to ensure that political divisions within the country did …
