12. What is the "rule of law"?
American Government · Principles of American Democracy
Accepted answer(s)
- Everyone must follow the law.
- Leaders must obey the law.
- Government must obey the law.
- No one is above the law.
USCIS officers ask this on the 2008 Civics Test because understanding "american government" is core to how the U.S. system works day to day. Memorize the exact answer above rather than a paraphrase — officers accept the wording USCIS publishes, and "Everyone must follow the law." is the safest phrasing to say out loud in the interview.
This is question 12 of the 2008 Civics Test. See it on uscis.gov.