FACT CHECK #QOYERZ-1

WHAT WE FOUND

High-credibility sources confirm that the claim regarding 45 czars replacing elected officials is entirely inaccurate 1. The term czar is an informal political label, not an official government job title 2 3. While various counts of Obama-era advisors range from roughly two dozen to 45 depending on the definition used, many of these roles were Senate-confirmed positions or roles carried over from previous administrations, including the Bush administration 2 5 11. Furthermore, these appointees did not replace elected officials because the only elected officials in the executive branch are the President and Vice President 1. While some members of Congress expressed concern that these roles could obscure decision-making or circumvent oversight, they did not displace any elected officeholders 4 11.

SOURCES

1. 1 · politifact.comFACT-CHECKER
   PolitiFact | Obama appointed 45 czars to replace elected officials, chain email claims

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2. 2 · obamawhitehouse.archives.govACADEMIC
   The Truth About "Czars" | whitehouse.gov

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3. 3 · govexec.comACADEMIC
   That Time the Federal Government Was Ruled By Czars - Government Executive

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4. 4 · congress.govACADEMIC
   Congressional Record | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

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5. 5 · jacksonville.comFACT-CHECKER
   Fact Check: Presidents rely on czar power, but does Obama have too much?

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6. 6 · ir.lawnet.fordham.eduACADEMIC
   Obama's "Czars" for Domestic Policy and the Law of the White ...

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7. 7 · en.wikipedia.orgWEB
   List of U.S. executive branch czars - Wikipedia

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8. 8 · revealnews.orgWEB
   What’s the deal with the czars in America’s political scene? - Reveal

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9. 9 · grokipedia.comWEB
   List of U.S. executive branch czars — Grokipedia

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10. 10 · politico.comWEB
    President Obama's 'Czars' - POLITICO

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11. 11 · bloomberg.comWEB
    The Encyclopedia of All 34 of Obama's Czars, From A to Zients - Bloomberg

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THE READING