Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§2381 Treason
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 115— - TREASON, SEDITION, AND SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES › § 2381
Summary
Owing U.S. loyalty, waging war on the U.S. or aiding its enemies is treason. Punishment: death or ≥5 years prison, ≥$10,000 fine, barred from U.S. office.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §2381
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 1, 2 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§ 1, 2, 35 Stat. 1088). Section consolidates section 1 and 2 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. The language referring to collection of the fine was omitted as obsolete and repugnant to the more humane policy of modern law which does not impose criminal consequences on the innocent. The words “every person so convicted of treason” were omitted as redundant. Minor change was made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 inserted “under this title but” before “not less than $10,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 2381
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73