“This Was Not Where I Was Anticipating Getting Stuck,” Chief Law Enforcement Officer Says He Doesn’t Know the Three Branches of Government, Says “Judicial” Is His Branch of Government — Rep. Chesser Replies, “You Are Incorrect, Sir. You Fall Under the Executive”

Zane Clark

February 10, 2026

“This Was Not Where I Was Anticipating Getting Stuck,” Chief Law Enforcement Officer Says He Doesn’t Know the Three Branches of Government, Says “Judicial” Is His Branch of Government — Rep. Chesser Replies, “You Are Incorrect, Sir. You Fall Under the Executive”

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said he did not know how many branches of government exist and incorrectly identified the judicial branch as the one under which he operates during testimony before North Carolina lawmakers.

The exchange occurred when Rep. Allen Chesser asked McFadden which branch of government his office falls under. McFadden first replied, “Mecklenburg County,” and then said, “the Constitution of the United States.” Chesser responded that the Constitution establishes the branches of government and repeated the question.

Asked whether he knew how many branches of government there are, McFadden replied, “No.” Chesser then stated that the three branches are legislative, executive and judicial and asked McFadden to identify his own.

“Judicial,” McFadden said.

Chesser told him he was incorrect and said the sheriff’s office operates under the executive branch, which enforces the law. McFadden then described his primary function as “care and custody of those in my custody at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center.”

"This Was Not Where I Was Anticipating Getting Stuck," Chief Law Enforcement Officer Says He Doesn't Know the Three Branches of Government, Says "Judicial" Is His Branch of Government — Rep. Chesser Replies, "You Are Incorrect, Sir. You Fall Under the Executive." pic.twitter.com/bPPjE0UElo
— American Gazzete (@AmericanGazzete) February 10, 2026

The exchange took place during a hearing of the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform, where lawmakers questioned McFadden and other Charlotte-area officials about public safety and law enforcement operations.

The exchange circulated widely on social media following the hearing. Some people criticized McFadden’s responses. “This is a crisis of intellect. America has been dumbed down for decades; to produce as many useful idiots as possible,” one user wrote.

Maybe but we draw the line at raping young women pic.twitter.com/BAxgiA700b
— Dennis DeAmiches (@DDeamiches) February 9, 2026

Others argued that the exchange reflected confusion between federal and state government structures. William Tabor, who identified himself as a retired dentist and Libertarian activist, wrote that while there are three branches of the federal government, county sheriffs do not serve under any of them.

“There are three branches of the federal government, legislative, executive and judicial,” Tabor wrote. “But as a sheriff of a county in NC, he doesn’t serve under any of them. He holds an elected constitutional office under the NC constitution. We don’t have federal sheriffs.”

sheriffs enforce laws, which is an executive branch function, even at the state/local level under the NC Constitution
— flwrgrl_1 (@flwrgirl_1) February 9, 2026

McFadden, a Democrat who has served as sheriff since 2018, was questioned during the hearing about jail operations, management of his office and public safety following a fatal stabbing on Charlotte’s light rail system in August 2025, Axios reported.

McFadden is running for reelection and faces multiple challengers in the Democratic primary. No Republican candidate has filed for the office.

About Author

Zane Clark

Zane Clark is a writer whose interest in national affairs began at age 11, during a birthday ride in a 1966 Piper 180C that sparked an early curiosity about history and current events. That first moment of perspective grew into a lasting fascination with the people, conflicts, and decisions influencing the nation’s direction. Today, Zane brings clear, informed storytelling to Altitude Post, covering everything from major events to the individuals helping shape the country’s future. When he’s not writing, he’s researching history, following current developments, spotting aircraft, attending airshows or exploring the stories behind the headlines.