What is the basis of all authority?

What is the basis of all authority?

• A. The United States Constitution
• B. Legislative Action
• C. Public Law
• D. Executive Order

Answer: (A)

Authority in the United States comes from the Constitution, the supreme law that creates the government, assigns powers, and sets limits. It establishes the framework within which Congress can make laws, the President can execute them, and the courts can interpret and enforce them. Because the Constitution is the ultimate source of legitimacy, every action by the other branches derives its authority from it. Legislative actions exist to enact laws, but only within the authority granted by the Constitution; public law refers to those statutes enacted under that framework; executive orders are instruments used by the President, but they must operate within constitutional and statutory limits. In short, the Constitution functions as the overarching source that authorizes and bounds all government power.

Authority in the United States comes from the Constitution, the supreme law that creates the government, assigns powers, and sets limits. It establishes the framework within which Congress can make laws, the President can execute them, and the courts can interpret and enforce them. Because the Constitution is the ultimate source of legitimacy, every action by the other branches derives its authority from it. Legislative actions exist to enact laws, but only within the authority granted by the Constitution; public law refers to those statutes enacted under that framework; executive orders are instruments used by the President, but they must operate within constitutional and statutory limits. In short, the Constitution functions as the overarching source that authorizes and bounds all government power.