1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

The Constitution clearly establishes the parameters for the census, and any attempt to unilaterally change those rules would be unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment specifically requires that the "whole number of persons in each state" be counted for the apportionment of congressional seats. Excluding certain groups goes against this explicit constitutional mandate as well as over two centuries of precedent. Furthermore, the President does not have sole authority over the census. Article 1 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to conduct the "actual enumeration" and determine how it is carried out. Any significant changes to census methodology and questions would require Congressional approval through the proper legislative process. While the President can voice policy preferences, unilaterally directing the Census Bureau to fundamentally alter the constitutional basis and operational procedures of the decennial census would likely face substantial legal challenges. It is crucial that this foundational democratic exercise remains free from partisan manipulation and follows long-established laws and practices to ensure an accurate and complete count of the U.S. population.