What does the Fourteenth Amendment extend?

The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is a crucial element in the protection of individual liberties and rights against potential state infringement. It specifically extends the principles of equal protection and due process, ensuring that state actions cannot violate an individual's rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

The equal protection clause prohibits states from denying any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws, which aims to prevent discrimination and promote fairness in legal processes. The due process clause mandates that states must respect all legal rights owed to a person, following fair procedural rules before depriving anyone of life, liberty, or property.

Therefore, the emphasis on both equal protection and due process is foundational for civil rights litigation and has been the basis for many landmark Supreme Court cases addressing civil rights issues, including race, gender, and economic rights.

In contrast, the other choices refer to different areas that the Fourteenth Amendment does not govern. For instance, federal rights to the military, the right to bear arms, and rights of employment fall outside the specific protections guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment and pertain to other amendments or legal provisions.