Short answer: No.
After Trump’s election win, some politicians are propose their state will leave the Union and join Canada: Four States Could Secede From US and Join Canada to Avoid Trump—Democrat
Grok AI answer
TL;DR – there is not currently a legal way for a U.S. state to leave the union. Politicians should know that.
Historical Context:
- The Civil War: The most significant historical event related to secession was the American Civil War (1861-1865). Southern states attempted to secede from the Union to form the Confederate States of America. The Union’s victory in this war effectively settled the issue that secession was not permissible under the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court, in the case of Texas v. White (1869), declared that the Constitution does not permit states to unilaterally secede from the Union, although this decision was more about affirming the permanence of the Union post-war than establishing a clear legal precedent for secession.
Constitutional and Legal Considerations:
- The U.S. Constitution: There’s no explicit provision in the U.S. Constitution that allows for secession. The Constitution is designed to be a document of perpetual union, with Article IV, Section 3, discussing the admission of new states, but not the withdrawal of existing ones.
- Supreme Court: As mentioned, Texas v. White suggests that secession is not legally viable, although this ruling was made in a very specific context and has not been directly challenged since in a manner that would reaffirm or modify this stance.
Political and Practical Realities:
- Political Feasibility: Even if legally possible, the political, economic, and international ramifications would be immense. The federal government would likely oppose any secession movement, as would many citizens who favor the unity of the nation.
- International Recognition: Recognition by other nations would be a significant issue. Without international recognition, a seceded state would struggle with legitimacy, trade, and defense.
Modern Discussions:
- From time to time, discussions around secession surface, often in contexts where regional identities or political differences are pronounced (e.g., California or Texas). However, these remain more theoretical or rhetorical rather than practical or actionable movements due to the complexities involved.
Conclusion: Legally, under current interpretations, an individual state cannot choose to leave the Union without facing significant legal, political, and possibly military opposition from the federal government. The issue would likely need to be resolved through a constitutional amendment, a national referendum, or another significant legal reevaluation, none of which seem likely or feasible under current circumstances.
Thus, while states can certainly debate or discuss secession, the practical and legal pathways to achieve it are effectively closed according to the prevailing legal and historical consensus.
