1. Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government
Lecture & Discussion 6: Expansion of Presidential Power

2. Enduring Understanding
The presidency has been enhanced beyond its expressed constitutional powers.

3. Objective(s)
To explain how presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers.

4. Do Now
Read the “Presidential View” and respond to the following prompts.
How do the Grant of Power and Stewardship View differ in terms of presidential authority?
What is your view on presidential power?
Do you think President Trump endorses Taft’s or Roosevelt’s view? Explain.

5. A. Growth of Power
Presidential power has vastly expanded over time, as a result of varying interpretations of formal and informal powers
FDR had significant impact on expansion of presidential power (New Deal policies during Great Depression)
Passage of Amendment 22 demonstrate the changing role of President
Both responsibilities can create tension and confrontation with Congress

7. B. Reasons for Expansion
Political Culture
the President has become the focus of national power and culture, so he is able to set national agenda
Justice Jackson: “executive power has the advantage of concentration in a single head…”

8. B. Reasons for Expansion
Precedent
each successive President is able to rely on the actions of their predecessors in justifying own use of power
works as a one-way ratchet with each President building on the actions of those who came before

9. B. Reasons for Expansion
Expansion of
Federal
Government
the size and jurisdiction of the federal government has expanded
President directs administrative state with growing responsibilities
President has ability to make decisions that impact many aspects of American life

10. B. Reasons for Expansion
World
Modern Emergencies
the modern world creates a greater need for pressing decision-making
suddenness of contemporary events demand immediate government response from the Chief Executive

11. B. Reasons for Expansion
Partisan Politics
Congress often sees its political duty to support party rather than institutional concerns
majority party unwilling or unable to check the President’s power in a unified government
President uses unilateral executive power to overcome obstructionism in divided government

12. C. Differing Perspectives
Different perspectives on the presidential role, ranging from a limited to a more expansive interpretation and use of power, continue to be debated in the context of contemporary events.
Directions:
Read the excerpts from “Federalist 70” and the “Imperial Presidency.”
Complete the tables to describe the authors’ claims, perspectives, reasoning, and evidence.
Compare the two authors’ views on secrecy. What is your POV? Explain.