1. Presidential Advisors and Executive Agencies

2. Organization of Executive Branch
Of the thousands of people working in the Executive Branch, most work in the EOP.
EOP = Executive Office of the President
EOP often referred to as a the President’s Administration
Around 4,000 employees & budget of over $700 million

3. The Executive Office
Core of EOP is the White House Office
About 150 people who work directly for the President
Handful of those serve as the President’s closest political advisers
Most powerful is the Chief of Staff
Other important position is Press Secretary

4. Chief of Staff = Reince Priebus

5. Press Secretary = Sean Spicer

6. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The OMB helps prepare a realistic federal budget to be given to Congress and monitors spending across gov’t agencies
Federal budget is the clearest statement of a president’s administration’s plans/goals

7. National Security Council (NSC)
The NSC helps guide and direct President’s foreign policy & military action
Advises CIA which gathers info on other gov’ts
Includes VP, Sec. of State, Sec. of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (top commanders from each of the armed forces)
Headed by the National Security Advisor

8. National Security Advisor = H.R. McMaster

9. Other Offices
Office of Administration = responds to individuals seeking records under Freedom of Information Act
Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) = gives the President advice on complex economic matters (employment, inflation, foreign trade, etc.)

10. The Cabinet
Group of advisers chosen by the President to help do the work of the executive branch
Includes heads of the 15 top executive dep’ts
Head of Department of Justice (DOJ) = Attorney General
All other dep’t heads are called Secretaries

11. Attorney General = Jeff Sessions

12. Department of Homeland Security
Created by President George W. Bush in 2002 in response to 9/11 and start of global war on terror
Goal of improving nation’s defenses against terrorism & coordinate counterterrorism intelligence
First dep’t created since Dep’t of Veterans Affairs in 1989

13. Cabinet Responsibilities
Secretaries advise President on issues related to their dep’ts & make important policy decisions
Not mentioned in the Constitution, but George Washington effectively created it
Inner Cabinet: State, Treasury, Defense (War), Attorney General
Meets whenever President wants; President not required to listen to cabinet advice

14. Federal Bureaucracy
Agencies and unelected employees of the executive branch
Hundreds of agencies below cabinet dep’ts that deal with variety of issues
4 million+ civilians work in these agencies

15. Bureaucracy in Action
Turns new laws into action by deciding how to apply the laws to daily life
Congress uses vague/general language in bills
Administers day-to-day operations of federal gov’t
Delivers mail, collects taxes, etc.
Regulates various activities
Police, airlines, etc.

16. Independent Agencies
Agencies not part of the cabinet
Three types:
Executive Agencies
Government Corporations
Regulatory Commissions

17. Executive Agencies
Responsible for dealing with specialized areas within the gov’t
Example = National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) → operates the US space program

18. Government Corporations
Similar to private businesses, except owned and operated by gov’t (not supposed to make a profit)
Example = United States Postal Service (USPS) → delivers your mail

19. Regulatory Commissions
Purpose is to protect public & make/enforce rules for certain industries or groups
Example = Federal Communications Commission (FCC) → makes broadcasting rules for the nation’s TV and radio stations

20. Two Types Government Workers
Political appointees = chosen by the President
Employment usually ends when the President leaves office
Civil service workers = employed by federal gov’t
90% of federal gov’t employees
Employed permanently through Civil Service System = practice of hiring gov’t workers based on open, competitive exams and merit

21. Development of Civil Service System
Spoils System = gov’t jobs go to people as a reward for their political support
Before 1883, most federal jobs fell under this system
Pendleton Act (1883) placed limits on the jobs a new president could give to friends/supporters
Merit System = hiring into gov’t jobs based on qualifications of applicant
Many gov’t jobs require you pass challenging written tests or meet strict civil service standards