Under Trump the three branches of US government turned to a three-ring
circus ... "
Stephen Colbert
***
The Constitution of the United States divides the federal government into three branches to make sure no individual or group will have too much power:
•Legislative—Makes laws (Congress—House of Representatives and Senate)
•Executive—Carries out laws (President, Vice President, Cabinet, most federal agencies)
•Judicial—Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and other courts)
Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches:
•The President can veto legislation created by Congress and nominates heads of federal agencies.
•Congress confirms or rejects the President's nominees and can remove the President from office in exceptional circumstances.
•The Justices of the Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional laws, are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
This ability of each branch to respond to the actions of the other branches is called the system of checks and balances.
***
Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
three-ring circus
noun
Definition of three-ring circus
1 : a circus with simultaneous performances in three rings
2 : something wild, confusing, engrossing, or entertaining
And a bit like a three-ring circus, not knowing which group to focus on.
—
don sweeney, sacbee, "It's a 'killer whale bonanza' in Monterey Bay — and sightings are breaking records | The Sacramento Bee," 8 May 2018
Every May is a three-ring circus, Carpenter said, and his team is plenty experienced at dealing with the noise and focusing on the mission at hand.
—
jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Danica Patrick on closing career at Indy 500: 'It just feels right'," 7 Mar. 2018