Which statement best explains why Brutus is considered an Anti-Federalist?

• A. A national military force was needed to quell insurrections.
• B. The laws passed by the national government were supreme over state laws.
• C. Compromise between branches would ensure a limited government.
• D. A centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights.

Answer: (D)

Brutus and other Anti-Federalists argued that concentrating power in a strong national government could steadily threaten individual liberties and the authority of the states. They feared that once power is centralized, it can be used to infringe on rights and erode local protections, unless the constitution is tightly constrained or paired with a robust bill of rights. That worry about liberty under a centralized authority is the core reason Brutus is considered an Anti-Federalist, making the statement about a centralized government posing a major threat to individual rights the best fit. The other options miss this central concern: they focus on specific mechanisms or defenses for a powerful national government rather than the fundamental Anti-Federalist worry about protecting liberty and state sovereignty.