Roles of the President

Provide two examples of how the president carries out the following roles:

Head of State 1-Represents the nation and performs many ceremonial roles   2-Chief diplomat [hosts heads of foreign governments]

 Chief Executive 1-Sees that the laws of Congress are carried out 2-In charge of over 2 million executive branch employees

Chief Legislator 1-Describes a legislative program during the State of the Union Address 2-Veto power

 Economic Planner 1-Submits an annual economic report to Congress   2-Prepares an annual budget

Party Leader 1-Gives speeches to help party members who are running for office.   2-Political Patronage: rewards fellow party members with appointments to political office.

Chief Diplomat 1-Directs the nation’s foreign policy  2-Can classify information about foreign nations as secret 3-Executive agreements with other countries 4-Recognizes governments of foreign countries

Commander-in-Chief 1-Power to make war [shares with Congress] 2-Head of the armed forces 3-Responsible for key military decisions

Executive Orders- Rules that have the force of law. They are issued to detail the specific actions federal agencies must take to implement a law.  

Reprieve – Postponement of legal punishment

Pardon- Release from legal punishment

Amnesty- A group pardon to people for an offense against the government [Carter and draft evaders]

Treaty- Formal agreement between governments of two or more countries. Needs 2/3 approval from the Senate

Executive Agreement- Pact between the president and the head of a foreign government; have the same legal status as treaties, but does not need the consent of the Senate.

 Executive Privilege- The right of a president to refuse to provide information to Congress or a court.