Politics & Government
The Role of Comptroller General in Legislative-Executive Fiscal Oversight
Quick fact
The United States Comptroller General, who leads the Government Accountability Office (GAO), can sue the executive branch to obtain documents, a power that underscores their role as a watchdog independent of both the president and Congress.
Why this is interesting
Imagine one official who can tell the president's team 'show me the receipts' for every taxpayer dollar. How does a country ensure its leader doesn't secretly misuse public money?