In what way does the Executive branch impose limits on authority?

The Executive branch imposes limits on authority primarily through policies and directives as they establish the framework and guidelines within which the various agencies and departments operate. These policies can define operational boundaries, set priorities for agency actions, and clarify the execution of laws passed by the legislative branch.

By utilizing directives, the Executive branch can modify how laws are interpreted and enforced, ensuring that the execution of laws aligns with the priorities of the sitting administration while remaining within the bounds established by statutory law. This allows for a more flexible and responsive approach to governance compared to more rigid frameworks such as statutory laws or court decisions, which often require longer processes for changes.

While executive orders are a powerful tool for the Executive branch to enact specific actions or policies, they do not encompass the broader landscape of limits on authority that can be set through comprehensive policies and directives aimed at guiding and constraining the actions of the executive agencies. Statutory laws and court decisions play crucial roles in shaping authority, but they do not rest within the direct control of the Executive branch in the same way that policies and directives do.