>> Isn’t that also true for the NSA and every agency that is part of the rogue “Administrative/Regulatory State”, the unconstitutional fourth branch of the feds? <<
Nope. The head of NSA is a military officer of flag rank. He answers to the POTUS via the chain of command. The agency is not independent by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it’s part of the Department of Defense.
Moreover, the heads of most civilian departments serve at the pleasure of the POTUS, and they are answerable to him. He may give them orders, and they can be removed at any time. These departments are part of the Executive branch.
But for certain “independent” agencies like the FCC, the FTC, the SEC and some others, the POTUS only appoints the members. He can’t give them binding orders, and he can’t fire them except in extreme circumstances. Maybe most importantly, they are answerable to Congress, but not to the POTUS.
(If it were up to me, I’d declare the latter agencies unconstitutional, since they really are a “fourth” branch. But the Courts have not agreed. And there’s no chance that they will agree any time soon.)
Thanks.
Do you have a link that supports clearly and concisely what you’ve laid out here regarding the NSA?
IMO, the NSA is overkill and threatens to be more about “protecting” the government rather than protecting the American people. I think the functions of the NSA should be folded into the CIA. What do you think?
I find it very difficult to distinguish a valid agency under the Cabinet of the Executive Branch and a rogue agency like the FCC, the FTC, the SEC under the unconstitutional Administrative State, the fourth branch.