The federal government established by our Constitution consists of three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. Each is granted, by our Constitution, separate and distinct powers, none of which the other two may exercise.

Scott Pruitt, sharply criticized by the left, as are all other Trump nominees, was just confirmed by the Senate to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

The criticism revolves around his lawsuits, as Oklahoma’s attorney general, against the EPA. But he had the right and duty to file the lawsuits as the attorney general of one of our several sovereign states.

Back to the three branches of government. As I have said, each has its own distinct powers, separate from the other two.

The legislative branch has sole authority, under the Constitution, to make law. But for a long time now the executive branch has been enacting law through various departments and agencies, many of which are illegitimate. There is no authority in the Constitution for their existence, in violation of the separation of powers – something to which our Founders referred as “tyranny.”

Agencies such as the EPA that create rules with the force of law are in fact enacting law: nameless, faceless, unelected bureaucrats forcing their will on the citizens of the U.S.

The reason the legislative branch has exclusive legislative powers is so the people are represented by those they choose with their vote.

Let’s hope that the Trump administration, with the help of people like Scott Pruitt, will restore the crucial separation of powers.

Gary Foster

Gray