A) Makes laws INCORRECT The power to make laws is vested in the legislative branch, specifically Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The judicial branch does not draft or pass legislation; it only interprets and applies the laws that Congress creates. While courts can effectively create policy through their rulings, they do not have the constitutional authority to initiate laws.
B) Enforces laws INCORRECT Law enforcement is the responsibility of the executive branch, headed by the President. The President, along with federal agencies like the FBI and the Department of Justice, ensures that laws are carried out and obeyed. The judicial branch does not enforce laws; it interprets them and resolves disputes about their application.
C) Interprets laws CORRECT The judicial branch interprets laws, determining their meaning and how they apply to specific cases. This includes reviewing laws for constitutionality, a power known as judicial review, which was established in Marbury v. Madison (1803). Through this function, courts protect individual rights and ensure that the other branches act within their constitutional limits.
D) Writes laws INCORRECT Writing laws is another function of the legislative branch. Members of Congress propose, debate, and vote on bills, which become laws after presidential approval or a congressional override of a veto. The judicial branch does not write laws; it interprets them after they are enacted.
E) Vetoes laws INCORRECT The power to veto laws is held by the executive branch, specifically the President. The President can reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless Congress overrides the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. The judicial branch has no veto power; it only reviews laws after they are in effect.
F) Commands the military INCORRECT The President, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, commands the military. This is an executive branch responsibility, as outlined in Article II of the Constitution. The judicial branch has no role in military command; it only handles legal matters, including those involving military personnel under certain circumstances.
G) Declares war INCORRECT The power to declare war is granted to Congress by the Constitution (Article I, Section 8). While the President can order military action without a formal declaration, only Congress can officially declare war. The judicial branch does not participate in war declarations; it may only rule on the legality of such actions if challenged.
