EXECUTIVE BRANCH POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE POWERS

FAITHFULLY EXECUTE  Faithfully execute the laws.  The Ordinance Power  Executive Orders (an order given by the president that has the power of a law)  CHECKS & BALANCES?  The Supreme Court can use Judicial Review to decide whether the president’s orders are constitutional.

APPOINTMENT  Appoint cabinet members (ex. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton)  Appoint federal judges and Supreme Court Justices. (ex. Obama appointed Elena Kagan)Supreme Court Justices.  Appoint ambassadors  CHECKS & BALANCES?  They all have to be confirmed by the Senate

Supreme Court

EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE  The president can choose to not answer questions in a Congressional hearing if he believes it would risk national security.  United States v. Nixon  Nixon tried not to answer questions to protect himself.  Congress denied him Executive Privilege and said only in matters of national security.  CHECKS & BALANCES  Congress holds the hearings and can deny executive privilege

DIPLOMATIC POWERS

FOREIGN POLICY  Treaty – a formal agreement between 2 or more countries  Executive Agreement – an informal agreement between two leaders  Recognition – the ability to recognize the sovereignty of a country.  CHECKS & BALANCES  Treaties are confirmed by the Senate.  Executive Agreements are not

MILITARY POWERS

COMMANDER IN CHIEF  Military Policy – created by the President and the Joint Chiefs (heads of the military branches)  Non-violent intervention – the president can send troops anywhere at any time in his own discretion. He especially does this for countries who have suffered earthquakes, etc. Non-violent intervention  War Powers Resolution – the president can send troops into conflict for 60 days then needs Congressional approval to stay and declare war.

LEGISLATIVE POWERS

 Informal proposal of laws (Congress formally proposes all laws)  Final step to law:  Sign (becomes law)  Veto (does not become law, unless Congress issues an Override of 2/3)  10+ days (lets it sit for 10 days it becomes law)  -10 days – Pocket Veto (lets it sit, but Congress ends before 10 days is up it automatically dies)

JUDICIAL POWERS

CLEMENCYCLEMENCY POWERS  Pardon – removal of punishment Pardon  Reprieve – postponement of punishment  Commutation – reduce the punishment  Amnesty – group pardon