Which of the following is NOT a component of the Executive Branch?

The correct answer highlights the distinction within the components of the Executive Branch. The Department of Treasury is indeed a component of the Executive Branch, tasked with managing government revenue, including producing currency, collecting taxes, and overseeing the economic policy.

On the other hand, each of the other choices represents an integral part of the Executive Branch. The President of the United States (POTUS) is the head of the Executive Branch, making executive decisions and enforcing federal laws. The Department of Defense is responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government concerned directly with national security and the armed forces. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists the President by preparing the federal budget and overseeing its implementation, along with evaluating agency performance.

Thus, the identification of the Department of Treasury as a non-component reflects a misunderstanding of the structure of the Executive Branch, where it is very much an active and critical component.