1. The President’s Cabinet
Bureaucracy
The President’s Cabinet

2. Learning Target
I can explain how the President’s Cabinet helps meet the needs of Americans.

3. A Wider View of the Executive Branch
Americans tend to be against “Big Government” but demand many government services.
The Cabinet keeps these services organized and working.
This bureaucracy works with the president to determine how legislation (laws) will be enacted. 3

4. Why it Works:
Hierarchy (chain of command) can speed action by reducing conflicts over who has the power to make decisions.
Job Specialization: each person has defined duties.
Formalized Rules: decisions are based on a set of known standards, not on the whim of many individuals. 4

5. How the Bureaucracy Fits In:
Pass laws
Discuss most important issues of law
Work out bills
Delegate duty
Give input on potential laws
Carry out and decide details of law

6. The West Wing of the White House
The President’s closest advisors work in the West Wing of the White House, near the oval office.

7. The Cabinet
15 advisors that help the President make decisions and set government policy
Each advisor is the head of an executive department (appointed by the president and approved by the Senate)

8. There are now 15 Cabinet Departments8

9. Executive Departments (Cabinet)
Department of State
Dept of Treasury
Dept of Justice
Dept of Defense
Dept of Interior
Department of Agriculture
Dept of Commerce
Dept of Labor
Dept of Health & Human Services
Dept of Housing & Urban Development
Dept of Transportation
Dept of Energy
Dept of Education
Dept of Veteran Affairs
Dept of Homeland Security

11. Secretary of the Treasury
Washington’s Cabinet
U.S. Constitution
Article 2, Section 2
“The President…may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices”
Thomas Jefferson
Secretary of State
Henry Knox
Secretary of War
Alexander Hamilton
Secretary of the Treasury
Edmund Randolph
Attorney General 11

12. President Trump’s Cabinet (not all are confirmed)
Secretary of State
Rex Tillerson
Secretary of Defense
James Mattis
Secretary of Education
Betsy Devos
Secretary of Transportation
Elaine Chao
Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly 12

13. Summary
How does the President’s Cabinet help him meet the needs of American Citizens?

14. Design a Seal - Background
The seal features an American bald eagle in the center.
The eagle is holding a ribbon in its beak and the ribbon has the motto of the United States printed on it. (“E PLURIBUS UNUM” means “Out of many, one.”)
The eagle is holding an olive branch, which symbolizes peace, and the olive branch has 13 olives and 13 leaves.
The eagle is holding 13 arrows that stand for the 13 original colonies. The arrows symbolize the acceptance of the need to go to war in order to protect our country.
There is a shield on the front of the eagle and the shield has 13 red and white stripes (symbolizing the 13 original colonies).
Above the eagle are 13 white clouds, 13 white stars, and lots of tiny stars.
There is a circle of 50 white stars on a blue background around the eagle.
The words “Seal of the President of the United States “surround the seal.

15. Design a Departmental Seal
Choose 1 of the 15 cabinet departments (pg )
Create 4 symbols that represent the principal functions of this department.
Create a 5-ish word slogan to represent the work this department does.
Combine your symbols and slogan into an official seal for this department. Be sure to write “Department of ____” on there somewhere.

16. 15 Cabinet Departments 16

17. Executive Department Report Card
You will create a report card for 2 of the executive departments based on how well you think they are fulfilling their mission.
There are 4 options - please choose 3
Department of State (diplomacy/foreign policy)
Department of Commerce (exchange between buyers and sellers)
Department of Defense (military)
Department of Transportation
Your Report Card can be designed however you’d like, but MUST include this information:
Name of Department
Grade – based on mission statement (see rubric)
Explain the grade you gave using specific examples from the press releases. One Paragraph Minimum!