Sheriff Claims He Falls Under Judicial Branch, and Admits He’s a Lawbreaker

The issue is no longer whether Sheriff McFadden understands his job. His testimony makes it clear he does not. The real question is whether an elected law enforcement officer who knowingly refuses to enforce the law should remain in office;

Douglas V. Gibbs ——Bio and Archives--February 13, 2026

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If you watch the “man on the street” interviews circulating online, you might conclude that many Americans can’t name the three branches of government. Legislative. Executive. Judicial. It’s unfortunate when the average citizen doesn’t know this, but when an elected official doesn’t know it, the problem becomes far more serious.

Middle‑school civics. Yet, many Americans can’t explain it, and, disturbingly, some officeholders can’t either

These three branches exist at every level of government:

Legislative: Congress (House and Senate)

Executive: President, departments, and agencies (including the Department of Justice)

Judicial: Federal court system

Legislative: State legislature

Executive: Governor, state agencies, attorney general

Judicial: State courts

Legislative: County governing body (Board of Supervisors, Commissioners, etc.)

Executive: Sheriff and associated offices (Coroner, Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor, Clerk)

Judicial: County courts

Legislative: City council

Executive: Mayor, city........

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