Which characteristic distinguishes an independent agency from an executive agency?

An independent agency is distinguished from an executive agency primarily by its unique structure and the degree of independence it has from the executive branch of the government. Independent agencies typically have a more specialized focus and are created through enabling statutes that set them apart from executive departments, which are directly controlled by the President.

Independent agencies often have a multi-member commission or board instead of a single appointed head, which fosters a more bipartisan approach to decision-making. This structure allows them to operate with a degree of insulation from political pressures that might influence executive agencies, thus enabling them to carry out their regulatory functions more objectively and effectively.

In contrast, executive agencies are generally more accountable to the President and can be reshaped or restructured at the executive's discretion. Therefore, it is this distinct governance structure and its implications for autonomy that crucially define the operational nature of independent agencies compared to executive agencies.

The other options do not capture the essence of what makes independent agencies unique; they might pertain to characteristics that could be found in both types of agencies or do not accurately reflect the primary distinction.