&gt; Is there some case law that has determined &quot;offenses against the United States&quot; == Federal crime only?<p>At least going by the spiritual intent of the Constitution, the United States wasn&#x27;t so much of a country on its own as a coalition of multiple tiny countries (made it easier for trade, war, debts), much as the member states of the European Union are still treated as independent countries today. The European Union hasn&#x27;t yet had a &#x27;civil&#x27; war to change the public opinion and perception of its governance, though.