Which case held that the federal government could not compel state officials to administer or enforce a federal regulation, illustrating limits on federal authority over states?

Which case held that the federal government could not compel state officials to administer or enforce a federal regulation, illustrating limits on federal authority over states?

• A. Printz v. United States
• B. Alden v. Maine
• C. Morrison
• D. McCulloch v. Maryland

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the federal government cannot compel state or local officials to carry out federal tasks, preserving states’ sovereignty within the federal system. In Printz v. United States, the Supreme Court held that Congress cannot require state or local police to conduct background checks for gun purchases as part of federal legislation. This decision embodies the commandeering principle: Congress can set nationwide rules, but it cannot coerce state officers to enforce them or run federal programs. The ruling rests on the idea that forcing states to administer federal regulations would blur the lines between state and federal authority, undermining dual sovereignty and the Tenth Amendment. Other cases touch on different facets of federalism—such as state sovereign immunity or limits on federal power under the Commerce Clause—but they don’t establish this specific limit on compelling state officials to enforce federal rules.

The key idea is that the federal government cannot compel state or local officials to carry out federal tasks, preserving states’ sovereignty within the federal system. In Printz v. United States, the Supreme Court held that Congress cannot require state or local police to conduct background checks for gun purchases as part of federal legislation. This decision embodies the commandeering principle: Congress can set nationwide rules, but it cannot coerce state officers to enforce them or run federal programs. The ruling rests on the idea that forcing states to administer federal regulations would blur the lines between state and federal authority, undermining dual sovereignty and the Tenth Amendment. Other cases touch on different facets of federalism—such as state sovereign immunity or limits on federal power under the Commerce Clause—but they don’t establish this specific limit on compelling state officials to enforce federal rules.