The President’s Cabinet Bureaucracy The President’s Cabinet

Learning Target I can explain how the President’s Cabinet helps meet the needs of Americans.

A Wider View of the Executive Branch Americans tend to be against “Big Government” but demand many government services. The Cabinet keeps these services organized and working. This bureaucracy works with the president to determine how legislation (laws) will be enacted. 3

Why it Works: Hierarchy (chain of command) can speed action by reducing conflicts over who has the power to make decisions. Job Specialization: each person has defined duties. Formalized Rules: decisions are based on a set of known standards, not on the whim of many individuals. 4

How the Bureaucracy Fits In: Pass laws Discuss most important issues of law Work out bills Delegate duty Give input on potential laws Carry out and decide details of law

The West Wing of the White House The President’s closest advisors work in the West Wing of the White House, near the oval office.

The Cabinet 15 advisors that help the President make decisions and set government policy Each advisor is the head of an executive department (appointed by the president and approved by the Senate)

There are now 15 Cabinet Departments 8

Executive Departments (Cabinet) Department of State Dept of Treasury Dept of Justice Dept of Defense Dept of Interior Department of Agriculture Dept of Commerce Dept of Labor Dept of Health & Human Services Dept of Housing & Urban Development Dept of Transportation Dept of Energy Dept of Education Dept of Veteran Affairs Dept of Homeland Security

Secretary of the Treasury Washington’s Cabinet U.S. Constitution Article 2, Section 2 “The President…may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices” Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State Henry Knox Secretary of War Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury Edmund Randolph Attorney General 11

President Trump’s Cabinet (not all are confirmed) Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Secretary of Defense James Mattis Secretary of Education Betsy Devos Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly 12

Summary How does the President’s Cabinet help him meet the needs of American Citizens?

Design a Seal - Background The seal features an American bald eagle in the center. The eagle is holding a ribbon in its beak and the ribbon has the motto of the United States printed on it. (“E PLURIBUS UNUM” means “Out of many, one.”) The eagle is holding an olive branch, which symbolizes peace, and the olive branch has 13 olives and 13 leaves. The eagle is holding 13 arrows that stand for the 13 original colonies. The arrows symbolize the acceptance of the need to go to war in order to protect our country. There is a shield on the front of the eagle and the shield has 13 red and white stripes (symbolizing the 13 original colonies). Above the eagle are 13 white clouds, 13 white stars, and lots of tiny stars. There is a circle of 50 white stars on a blue background around the eagle. The words “Seal of the President of the United States “surround the seal.

Design a Departmental Seal Choose 1 of the 15 cabinet departments (pg. 426-427) Create 4 symbols that represent the principal functions of this department. Create a 5-ish word slogan to represent the work this department does. Combine your symbols and slogan into an official seal for this department. Be sure to write “Department of ____” on there somewhere.

15 Cabinet Departments 16

Executive Department Report Card You will create a report card for 2 of the executive departments based on how well you think they are fulfilling their mission. There are 4 options - please choose 3 Department of State (diplomacy/foreign policy) Department of Commerce (exchange between buyers and sellers) Department of Defense (military) Department of Transportation Your Report Card can be designed however you’d like, but MUST include this information: Name of Department Grade – based on mission statement (see rubric) Explain the grade you gave using specific examples from the press releases. One Paragraph Minimum!