What concept does the Tenth Amendment reinforce regarding state powers?

The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution emphasizes the principle of federalism by asserting that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people. This amendment underscores the idea that states retain a significant degree of sovereignty and authority over various matters unless explicitly outlined in federal law.

By reinforcing that states hold powers not specifically granted to the federal government, the Tenth Amendment establishes a framework that allows states to legislate and govern in areas such as education, law enforcement, and local regulations. This structure is foundational in maintaining the balance of power between state and federal authorities and protects state rights from federal overreach.

The other options do not align with the core principle of the Tenth Amendment. For instance, the idea that federal authority overrides state law is contrary to the Tenth Amendment’s intent, which is to limit federal power concerning state rights. Similarly, the notion that states must comply with federal trends or that they can impose their own criminal codes without respect to federal law does not accurately reflect the limits and preservation of state powers articulated in the Tenth Amendment.