Article 2 – The Executive Branch The President Establishes the powers of the President and his cabinet. Main job: enforce the laws.

Article II: Executive Branch Continued… Qualifications 35 years old Natural born citizen (born inside the U.S. or a territory) Lived in U.S. for at least 14 years Term of Office 4 years - with a limit of 2 terms No President can serve more than 10 years

Article II: Executive Branch Continued… Succession If the president dies who takes office? Vice President Speaker of the House President Pro Tem of the Senate Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury

Article II: Executive Branch Continued… Electing the President Citizens vote indirectly for the president through the Electoral College. The Electoral College is a group of electors who cast the ballots for their state. The citizens cast their votes to instruct their electors how they should vote. Each state has a set number of electoral votes. - formula for each state’s electoral votes: number of Representatives + 2 Senators Today a candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win. If neither candidate reaches 270, the election goes to the House of Representatives.

Article II: Executive Branch Continued… Impeachment The president can be impeached by Congress for: treason, bribery, or other high crimes. Question (You don’t have to write this) Can you think of any times a President has been impeached?

Article II: Executive Branch Continued… Powers Pardon criminals for federal crimes Veto bills from Congress Commander-in-Chief of the military Can appoint ambassadors, cabinet members, and federal judges - his choices have to be approved by the Senate Give the State of the Union: a speech given to Congress each year about the U.S.

Article II: Executive Branch Continued… Oath of Office The president vows to “Preserve, Protect, and Defend the Constitution.”