Which branch has the power to interpret the Constitution and apply judicial review to check laws and executive actions?

• A. The Legislative branch.
• B. The Judiciary (courts).
• C. The Executive branch.
• D. The States.

Answer: (B)

Interpreting the Constitution and using judicial review to check laws and executive actions is the job of the Judiciary (the courts). Courts interpret constitutional meanings in real cases, and through judicial review they can strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution or constitutional rights. This keeps the other branches in their proper constitutional roles: the legislative branch writes laws, the executive enforces them, but neither decides constitutional validity—that power rests with the courts. States also have their own courts to interpret state constitutions, but for national government power, the key idea is that the judiciary checks laws and executive actions to ensure they comply with the Constitution.