1. Warm Up
What specific powers would you give the President? Think about the constitutional requirement that the President “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” Write three powers and explain each.

2. Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Objective:  We will analyze the powers of the President and how they are used.
Task: I will examine tasks of the president to determine which power is being used.

3. Formal Powers
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
the President enforces, administers, and carries out the law
the Constitution requires the President to execute all federal laws, no matter what the chief executive’s own views of any of them may be

4. Appointment Powers The President appoints the following positions:
ambassadors and other diplomats
Cabinet members and their top aides
the heads of independent agencies
all federal judges, U.S. marshals, and attorneys
top officers in the military
All appointments are to be confirmed by the Senate

6. Powers of Clemency
Clemency: mercy or leniency granted to an offender by a chief executive
Pardon: release from the punishment or legal consequences of a crime
Amnesty: a blanket pardon offered to a group of law violators
Commutation: the power to reduce the length of a sentence or fine for a crime

7. Other Formal Powers power to veto legislation
Line-Item Veto: they have sought the power to cancel out some provisions in a measure while approving others
not an actual power for the President, but many Governors have this power
the President “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union”
call Congress into special sessions

8. Executive Orders and Executive Privilege
Executive Order: directive, rule, or regulation issued by a chief executive or subordinates
based upon constitutional or statutory authority and having the force of law
The President must have the authority to use these in order to exercise his powers to enforce laws
Executive Privilege: the President’s power to refuse to disclose information
Cannot be used to prevent evidence from being heard in a criminal proceeding (U.S. v. Nixon, 1974)

9. Executive Orders and Executive Privilege
Executive Discretion: in executing and enforcing law, the executive branch also interprets it unless the Courts say otherwise
Laws written by Congress are often broad, so it is up to the President to determine how the law will be applied on a day- to-day basis
These decisions are carried out through executive orders