1. The President and Executive Branch

2. US Constitution has 3 rules to be President:
35 years or older
A native-born American citizen
A resident of the US for at least 14 years
Textbook p. 166

3. Electoral College
The Electoral College is an indirect method for choosing the President
When you vote, you are selecting a group of electors from your state to vote for that candidate
Each state has a total number of electors that is equal to the number of Senators and Representatives from the state
NC = 15 (2 Senators + 13 Representatives)
Textbook p. 167

4. Election of 2016

5. How many members are in the Electoral College?
538
How many electoral votes are needed to win the Presidency?
270
Textbook p. 167

6. Elections are every 4 years…

7. Presidents are limited to two full terms
22nd Amendment 1951 ~ In response to FDR being elected 4 times as president, the nation set a two term limit on the President

8. President’s Salary
The President makes $400,000 per year plus the benefits of staff and transportation
Textbook pp

9. Vice President
“I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may become everything.”
--- John Adams

10. Vice President Responsibility
Very little duties TIE-DIE
Serves as the “President of the Senate” and breaks any ties with his/her vote, takes over if the President dies or leaves office

11. Presidential Succession Act (1947)
Determines who will be president if both the president and vice president resign or die at the same time
SEE CHART OF SUCCESSION

12. Who is 3rd in line to be President?
A: President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Who is 6th in line to be President?
A: Secretary of Defense
Who is the current Secretary of Defense?
A: Jim Mattis

13. Presidential Powers Veto Bills from Congress
Call Congress into special session
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Pardon federal criminals
Make treaties with other countries (with Senate approval)
Appoint ambassadors, federal court judges, Supreme Court justices, top government officials (all with Senate approval)

14. State of the Union
Constitution requires that the President report annually to Congress about the state of the country; this has become known as the “State of the Union Address”

15. Executive Orders
Defined: a rule or command that the President issues that has the force of law
Only Congress can make laws
President can issue Executive Orders to ensure laws are being carried out properly
On November 29, 2004, President Bush issued an executive order to establish the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals.
Textbook p. 172

16. Criminal Assistance
The President can assist those being charged with federal crimes in 3 ways:
Pardon ~ a declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment
Amnesty ~ a pardon toward a group of people
Reprieve ~ order to delay a person’s punishment until a higher court can hear the case
Textbook p. 172

17. Going to War Only Congress has the power to declare War
Only the President has the power to order American troops into battle

18. M&C 2

19. M&C 3

20. M&C 4