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You don't need to memorize legal terms to understand government. Try these five questions about the stories behind the headlines. Each answer explains the rule and links to a fuller lesson.

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1. A member of Congress may be investigated for a suspected crime.Never—the Constitution makes all lawmakers immune.Yes, but protected legislative acts have special constitutional protections.Only if the president personally approves.

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2. A prosecutor can properly choose whom to investigate just because of their political views.Yes, whenever politics are involved.Yes, if the subject is an elected official.No. DOJ’s published rules forbid using political association, activities or beliefs as an improper consideration.

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3. When a president signs an executive order, what is true?It can have legal effect if supported by constitutional or statutory authority.It automatically becomes an amendment to the Constitution.Congress has passed the order as a new statute.

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4. A judge issues a preliminary injunction. Does that always settle the entire lawsuit?Yes, no further proceedings can occur.No. A preliminary injunction generally applies while the underlying dispute continues.Yes, and it always applies nationwide.

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5. A headline says a policy was 'blocked.' What is the first thing to check?Whether the headline has been shared widely.Whether the ruling matches your party’s preference.The actual order, its date, covered parties, scope and whether it has been stayed.

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DOJ Justice Manual ↗ · National Archives executive orders ↗ · U.S. Courts glossary ↗ · CRS legislative protections ↗

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