Public officials must make decisions according to the law and not according to their own personal opinions or beliefs.

A. Separation of powers
B. Consent of the governed
C. Justice for all
D. Rule of law

D. seems a close match.

Thank you so much.

The correct answer is D. Rule of law.

To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the concepts mentioned in the options and analyze which one aligns with the statement.

A. Separation of powers refers to the division of government into different branches. While it is an important principle for maintaining checks and balances, it does not directly address the idea of officials making decisions based on the law instead of personal opinions or beliefs.

B. Consent of the governed means that government power is derived from the consent of the people it governs. While it is an important principle of democracy, it does not directly address the idea of decision-making according to the law.

C. Justice for all refers to the principle that everyone should be treated fairly and equally under the law. While it is a crucial aspect of legal systems, it does not specifically relate to the idea of officials making decisions based on the law rather than personal opinions or beliefs.

D. Rule of law is the principle that everyone is subject to the law, and the law is applied consistently and impartially to all. It ensures that public officials are bound by the law and must make decisions based on legal principles rather than personal opinions or beliefs. Therefore, this aligns most closely with the statement.

Understanding the concept behind each option is essential in the process of eliminating incorrect answers and selecting the correct answer.