Final answer:
An act or law that goes against the Constitution is known as unconstitutional. Examples include bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, and any legislation that undermines the structures established by the Constitution or usurps its principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Something that goes against the Constitution can be described in several ways, such as unconstitutional acts, bills of attainder, or ex post facto laws. According to the U.S. Constitution, bills of attainder are prohibitions on laws that target specific individuals or groups for punishment without a fair trial. This ban is crucial to maintaining the separation of powers and ensuring that the legislative branch cannot bypass judicial procedures. Similarly, ex post facto laws are forbidden; these are laws that criminalize actions retroactively.
The Constitution is held as the supreme law of the land, as established by the landmark case determined by the decision in favor of Madison, where any law found to be in conflict with it is considered void. Additionally, the 14th Amendment has provisions such as Section 3, which outlines that individuals who have engaged in rebellion after taking an oath to support the Constitution may not serve as president, unless Congress lifts this disqualification with a two-thirds majority in both houses.
Treason is the only crime explicitly defined in the Constitution to prevent misuse of power and protect the right to dissent. Defining treason, which includes actions like levying war against the U.S. or aiding its enemies, ensures clarity and prevents the government from branding opposition as criminal. Lastly, the Constitution also safeguards against actions that would upend the governmental structure entirely, such as abolishing valuable laws and altering fundamental government forms without due process.