The Powers of the President

The President and Executive Branch What is the main job of the president? Enforce laws, treaties and court decisions

Powers of the President Found in Article II of the Constitution.

Presidential Powers can be grouped into 5 categories… Executive powers Diplomatic powers Legislative powers Military powers Judicial powers

Executive powers

Appointment power **Prez/VP only elected members of Ex. Branch Who can the president appoint to the executive branch? Who must approve? Is this power expressed or implied? **Prez/VP only elected members of Ex. Branch

Additionally, Presidential powers can be one of two types: “Expressed”: Directly stated in the Constitution “Implied” Not directly stated, but “created” by the president to help him do his job “Uphold Constitution, preserve and defend United States”

Executive Orders “Presidential rules that have the force of law” Must be constitutional and agree with current law “Implied” Power Example: President Bush used an executive order to set up a wiretapping program to catch terrorists after September 11th, 2001.

“Implied” power that has been limited by judicial review Executive Privilege “Right of the President to withhold information from the courts, Congress or the public” Most often used when secrecy is needed (wartime, national security, etc.) “Implied” power that has been limited by judicial review

Diplomatic Powers

Treaties/ Executive agreements Presidents can negotiate treaties and executive agreements On issues such as peace, disarmament, trade, or immigration Treaties = require Senate approval (2/3rds)” (EXP) Executive agreements = does not require Senate approval (IMP) **Why would a president use an executive agreement instead of a treaty?

Appointing ambassadors/diplomats Presidents have the power to appoint those who work in/with foreign nations Subject to Senate approval (2/3rds) EXP

Recall these pictures… What might they have in common?

What’s the connection? Fidel Castro – Cuba Mahmud Abbas Palestinian Authority Kim Jong-Il North Korea Fidel Castro – Cuba King Wangchuck – Bhutan The island of Taiwan What’s the connection?

Presidential Diplomatic Powers 400 The common connection between the leaders/nations of Bhutan, Cuba, North Korea, Taiwan and the Palestinian territories… A: What is these are 5 “nations” whose governments are not currently recognized by the United States? S2C13 Jeopardy Review

Can be used to express approval or disapproval of a nation’s actions Recognition Can be used to express approval or disapproval of a nation’s actions

Sanctions Rules or actions that restrict trade, finances, or travel with another country as a punishment for its actions…

Legislative powers

Recommend Legislation State of the Union. This is how the president can have an effect on laws at the beginning of the lawmaking process…

The “Veto” (“I object”) The President not only makes suggestions for laws, but also has the (almost) final say in whether a bill passes… He has 3 options… He can sign it (becomes law), do nothing, or veto it… A veto means the bill is sent back to Congress with the president’s objections.

Military powers

“Directs the armed forces” Military Powers As CIC he: “Directs the armed forces”

Judicial powers

Pardons Official forgiveness of a crime Reprieves Postponement of a sentence

Amnesty A group pardon

Review What is executive privilege? 2) What is the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement? 3) When a president accepts or approves another country’s government, it is called… 4) What is a veto? 5) What is the difference between a pardon and a reprieve? 1)

Choose a question and answer it on your FrontPage sheet… Should US soldiers be permitted to use forms of torture against prisoners of war? What is the most important need facing this country this year? Should the US invade Iran if that nation tries to make nuclear weapons, or should we try to deal with them diplomatically? Should there be a law that provides health insurance to all American children under the age of 18? Should the government be able to randomly listen in on your cell conversations or read your email? Should illegal aliens (immigrants) already in this country be allowed a path to become citizens? Should the president be given as much power as possible to fight the war on terrorism?

Examples **Many presidents have used this power during their terms…presidents average around 400 pardons per term… Gerald Ford granted a pardon to Richard Nixon for anything he might have done during the Watergate scandal… George Bush Sr. pardoned 5 officials involved in the Iran-Contra scandal. Bill Clinton issued 395 pardons…140 of which were granted on the last day of his term in office.