Fourth Branch

In the American political system, the unofficial fourth branch of government refers to a group that influences the other Three Branches of the US federal government defined in the American Constitution (Legislative, Executive and Judicial). Such groups can include the press (an analogy for the Fourth Estate), the people, and interest groups. US independent administrative government agencies, while technically part of the Executive branch (or, in a few cases, the Legislative branch) of government, may also be referred to as the fourth branch. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_branch_of_government