What does the due process clause of the 14th Amendment prohibit?

The due process clause of the 14th Amendment is a fundamental provision that ensures no state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without following fair legal procedures. This principle is crucial to the protection of individual rights against arbitrary government action, establishing that individuals are entitled to legal processes that safeguard their rights before the government can lawfully take away their life, freedom, or property.

This clause is a key component of the broader concept of due process, which includes both procedural due process (the procedures that must be followed when someone is deprived of life, liberty, or property) and substantive due process (which protects certain fundamental rights from government interference). As a result, the correct understanding of the due process clause emphasizes the requirement for fairness and legal protection, thereby reinforcing the rights of individuals within the legal framework of the United States.