Powers of the President

A )According to the Constitution he’s the head of the executive branch – What does that mean? 1)  s/he’s commander-in-chief of all the armed forces and all state militias (this includes the national guard) and can even lead troops into battle! 2)  s/he appoints head of all executive departments (with the okay of the Senate) and can fire them at his/her leisure

3) s/he can pardon people convicted of federal crimes (except impeachment) and can give clemency (the reduction of fines or jail sentences of others)

4)  s/he can make treaties with other countries a)  the treaties are usually first negotiated by the Secretary of the State b)  2/3 of the Senate must approve c)  then both countries’ governments must approve d) the treaties are then approved (if they don’t violate the Constitution)

5)  s/he can appoint ambassadors, federal court and Supreme Court justices and top military officials (with the okay from Senate) 6)  s/he must give (put not necessarily in person) a State of the Union address to the public 7)  s/he can call Congress back into session (even if they’re on break) 8)  s/he commissions all military officers 9) s/he meets with heads of state, ambassadors, and other foreign country leaders

10)  s/he makes sure all laws of Congress are “executed”

B) Informal Powers of the President – Done by example or precedent by a former president… 1)     Expanding the nation’s boundaries - ex. of a president using this power to expand the nations boundaries: 2)     Using the army to preserve national unity a) blockading ports and boundaries of the US b) Suspending habeas corpus – What’s that?

3) taking upon powers not already designated by other branches in the Constitution (in order to do “anything that the needs of the nation demanded” 4) expanding the role of the government in the nation’s economy

5) the issuing of executive orders (rules by the president that have the effect of law) - ex. of a president using this power to create Mother’s Day to be recognized throughout the nation:

6) creating executive agreements (pacts between the president and head of foreign countries) a) they are like a temporary treaty b) they do require the Senate’s approval but are usually approved by most of Congress c) for example: which president made an executive agreement with Great Britain to give them ships and tanks to help them defend themselves in World War II:

7) the president can recognize other nations legally and recognize their sovereignty – what’s sovereignty again? this does not mean that the US approves of the actions of the another for example, what president recognized the Communist People’s Republic of China? The president can also ask for ambassadors (the US’ or another country’s) to be removed from a country when they are persona non grata (an unwelcome person

C) Informal Powers of the President – Given by Congress to the president for the purpose of… 1) sole military leadership

2) economic leadership – for example which president was given control over the economy by Congress to get us out of the Great Depression?

D) The president also has other informal powers via the Media – s/he speak to you/can interrupt your … Radio Program television program newspapers magazines Internet?

E) The presidency does have limits though…. Congress can override the president’s veto by what vote in both houses?

Congress can override an executive agencies’ action

3) Congress can limit military approval over 90 days (the “War Powers Act”) Under it the president must go before Congress 48 hours after deploying the troops to explain why the troops were sent Congress may then end the combat commitment at any time                                                             

4) Congress can impeach – How many times have presidents been impeached? What part of Congress impeaches? What part of Congress removes?

5) Thanks to Marbury VS Madison, the Supreme Court can override or dismiss any presidential action (if its deemed unconstitutional) 6) the president can be stopped by the agencies of the executive branch through extensive rechecking and requisitions of what the president wants to do (this is popularly known as red tape)

7) the people can limit his power – through public opinion polls and the next election!