Civics

The Executive Branch & The President

The President’s Job Description

• Chief of State−Ceremonial head of

government−Symbol of all

Americans

The President’s Job Description

• Chief Executive−Broad power in

foreign and domestic affairs

−“Most powerful office in the world”

The President’s Job Description

• Chief Administrator−Directs the

Executive Branch bureaucracy

−2.7+ million employees

The President’s Job Description

• Chief Diplomat−Main architect of

American foreign policy

−Most visible spokesperson to the rest of the world

The President’s Job Description

• Commander in Chief−All branches of the

military are under his immediate control

The President’s Job Description

• Chief Legislator−Main architect of

public policy−Sets the overall shape

of the Congressional agenda

The President’s Job Description

• Chief of Party−Acknowledged

leader of his political party

The President’s Job Description

• Chief Citizen−“Representative of

all people”−Looks out for the

interest of the people

Presidential Qualifications• Age – 35+ years

• Citizenship – “Natural Born” citizen

• Residency – 14 years

Presidential Term of Office• Four year terms

• Before 1951 – No official limit on terms− Washington set the precedent for only two terms

• Franklin Roosevelt serves part of four terms

• 22nd Amendment limits to two terms or 10 years

Pay and Benefits• Congress determines the President’s salary

• Originally $25,000/year

• Currently $400,000/year

• Plus $50,000/year expense account

• Other benefits− Live in the White House (6 story, 18.3 acre estate)− Automobile fleet− Air Force One, Marine One− Camp David− Unlimited health care for life− Secret Service protection for life

Presidential Succession• Vice President

• Speaker of the House

• President Pro Tempore of the Senate

• Secretary of State

• Secretary of the Treasury

• Secretary of Defense

• Attorney General

• Secretary of the Interior

• Secretary of Agriculture

• Secretary of Commerce

• Secretary of Labor

• Secretary of Health and Human Services

• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

• Secretary of Transportation

• Secretary of Energy

• Secretary of Education

• Secretary of Veteran Affairs

• Secretary of Homeland Security

General Presidential Powers• Imperial Presidency

− Growth of the nation (1900s)

• Executive Powers−Power to execute federal laws−Control of the armed forces

• Ordinance Power−Power to issue executive orders−Executive Order – Directive, rule or regulate

that has the effect of law• E.O. 9066

− Internment of Japanese Americans

• Appointment Power−Ambassadors and diplomats−Cabinet members and top aides−Heads of executive agencies−Federal judges, U.S. Marshals and

federal attorneys−All officers of the armed forces

• Removal Power−Undo appointments

•Paul O’Neil, Sec. Of Treasury, 2008• NOT federal judges

National Security and Intelligence Team

Diplomatic Powers• Make treaties

− Usually acting through the Secretary of State− Senate must approve− Same legal standing as laws− Congress may repeal by passing a law undoing the

treaty

• Make executive agreements− Pact between President and the head of another

country− Does not need Senate approval

• Power of Recognition− Acknowledging the legal existence of a country and its

government

Military Powers• Commander in Chief

− Making undeclared war− War Powers Resolution

Legislative Powers• Recommending Legislation

• Veto Power− Overturned with 2/3 vote of both houses of

Congress− Pocket veto

• Only at the end of a Congressional Session

− Line-item veto

• Call Congress into special session

• Can adjourn Congress− Has never happened

Judicial Powers• Reprieve – postpone execution sentence

• Pardon – legal forgiveness

• Clemency – mercy or leniency

• Commutation – reduce a sentence

• Amnesty – blanket pardon− Jimmy Carter to Vietnam protesters