Several key sections of Article I of the U.S. Constitution have gone missing from the official U.S. government website in recent weeks, sparking alarm and speculation across online communities. The missing text includes large portions of Section 8, along with the complete removal of Sections 9 and 10, which outline Congressional powers and limits on state authority, including protections like habeas corpus, a foundational right preventing unlawful detention.
The changes were first spotted by users on Reddit and verified by TechCrunch using the Wayback Machine, which confirms that the full text was still intact as of July 17. A comparison between the archived version and the current live page shows significant portions highlighted in yellow, indicating removal or disappearance.
In response to the online uproar, the Library of Congress acknowledged the issue in a tweet on Wednesday, attributing the missing text to a “coding error” and assuring users that it would be “resolved soon.” However, when asked by TechCrunch for further clarification, a spokesperson declined to specify the nature of the error or how it occurred.
While the missing sections on the website have no impact on the actual legal authority of the Constitution, the incident comes amid heightened political scrutiny. Notably, former Trump advisor Stephen Miller made headlines earlier this year by suggesting that habeas corpus could be suspended in certain situations, a remark that now resonates more deeply given the sections affected.
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When reached for comment, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle referred only to the Library of Congress’ statement and offered no further remarks.
The page has since been flagged for correction, and the Library of Congress says it is working to restore the full, accurate version of the Constitution to its online archive.
