What do we like to do?
Review! Review!
•What is one of the three Constitutional qualifications to
become the President of the United States?
•What do we call the indirect system used to elect our President?
•How many total electors do we have? Where does that number
come from?
•How many votes does one have to get in order to be elected
President?
•How long is a presidential term? How many can they serve?
•Where does the President live and work?
•What Constitutional qualifications are needed to become the
Vice President?
•Who follows in order of succession if the President dies or
becomes incapacitated? (_________, ________, __________)
“The Role of the President”
Constitutional Government

In the United States, we have a
constitutional government. This is a
government that is based on the written plan
of government as stated in the constitution.
 Where in the Constitution can we find out
about the roles and powers of President of
the US?
Role of the President

The President is the most powerful public
official in the United States. The Constitution
says that “Executive Power shall be invested in
a President…”
 This means that his/her main job is to “execute”
or carry out laws that are passed by Congress.
 The president has several jobs to fulfill. In
Article II, the Constitution also gives the
President the power to…
Presidential Powers
The Constitution lists (or “expresses”) certain powers that
are set aside for the President. They are listed in Article II.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
“Veto”, or reject, bills passed by Congress.
Call Congress into special session.
Serve as “commander-in-chief” of the armed forces.
Receive/make agreements with foreign leaders or
dignitaries. (With Senate Approval)
Make treaties with other nations (With Senate Approval)
Appoint heads of executive agencies (With senate approval)
Pardon, forgive or reduce the penalties against people
convicted of federal crimes.
Required to give ‘State of the Union’ Address to Congress
“State of the Union”

The “State of the Union”
address is the President’s
way of keeping the
Congress informed about
the nation and
government.

This “informing” is
required by the
Constitution
Roles of the President

The President has
several roles that they
play as the leader of
the United States.
Role #1: Chief Executive

This is the President’s
most important job. As
Chief Executive the
President must carry out
laws that are passed by
Congress.

The President’s
“Cabinet” was created to
help the with this task.
Role #1: Chief Executive

An “executive order” is a
rule or command that has
the force of law.

This power is used by the
president to “take care of
laws that are faithfully
executed.”

In 1948, President
Truman issued an order
to integrate the U.S.
Armed Forces.
Executive Orders

Executive Order #9066 was issued by
President F D Roosevelt during WWII
that forced many Japanese Americans
into internment camps as a result of the
bombing of Pearl Harbor.
–

Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the
United States, and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby
authorize and direct the Secretary of War, and the Military Commanders…
deems such action necessary or desirable, to prescribe military areas in
such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military
Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be
excluded,…, the right of any person to enter, remain in, or leave shall be
subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or the appropriate
Military Commander may impose in his discretion. (1942, Executive
Order 9066)
The act of making people relocate for a
certain amount of time is Forced
Internment.
Role #1: Chief Executive
The President also has the
power to appoint federal
judges to Federal Courts
and justices to the U.S.
Supreme Court (but must
receive approval from the
Senate).
 Not all appointees are
approved…
Role #1: Chief Executive

Finally, Presidents can
issue or grant
– “pardons” (or
declarations of
forgiveness)
– “reprieves” (or orders
to delay punishment
until heard by a higher
court
– “amnesty” (or a
pardon toward a group
of people)
Role #2 - Chief Diplomat/Foreign
Policy Leader

As Chief Diplomat, the
President directs the foreign
policy of the United States.

This is done by negotiating
treaties with leaders of
other nations and securing
relationships with other
nations – this is also called
foreign affairs.
Role #2 - Chief Diplomat/Foreign
Policy Leader

The President utilizes
his Secretary of State
and
ambassadors/diplomats
(people who work for
the government and are
assigned to a foreign
nation) to create better
relations and build
diplomacy with other
countries.
Role #3: Commander-in-Chief

The President has complete
control of the armed forces.

However, as a part of “checks
& balances” only Congress
has the power to declare war.
This has only happened 5
times – the last official
declaration of war was Dec. 7,
1941 (World War II).
Role #3: Commander-in-Chief

Even without a
declaration of war, the
President has the
authority to send
troops into action.

Since 1789, the
presidents have sent
troops into action over
150 times.
Role #3: Commander in Chief

For example, during
the conflicts in both
Korea and Vietnam,
the President got
involved in these
conflicts and sent
troops into battle
without a declaration
of war from our
Congress.
Role #3: Commander-in-Chief

After the Vietnam War, in
1973, Congress passed the
“War Powers Resolution”
which forced the President to
notify Congress within 48
hours of sending troops into
action.

Additionally, troops must be
back in 60 days unless
Congress:
– approves an extension or
– war is declared.
BRAIN BREAK!

Which of the roles of the President discussed so far is his
most important role?

Which of the roles of the President discussed so far allows
the President to call troops into action?

What do we call the federal powers that are listed in the
Constitution?
Role #4: Legislative Leader

Many bills that
Congress considers
each year come from
the President or
“Executive Branch”.
The President cannot
make laws, but he can
encourage Congress to
pass laws that he
supports and veto bills
that he is not in favor
of.
Role #4: Legislative Leader

Every President
creates a “legislative
program”, or a list of
new laws the President
wants Congress to
pass.

A special staff is
created to work with
Congress on these
bills.
Role #4: Legislative Leader

The President
represents the entire
nation, while members
of Congress represent
their own constituents
(the people back home
who voted for them).
 This causes conflicts
from time to time…
Role #4: Legislative Leader

Time is a major issue
as the President can
only serve two terms,
but members of
Congress have no
term limits.
The president is the “living
symbol” of the United
States. His or her role is to
carry out the ceremonial
functions for American
citizens.
 The president meets
visiting foreign leaders and
presents medals to our
country’s heroes.
 The President is interested
in domestic affairs – all
things socially, politically,
and economically related to
the US.

Role #5: Head of
State
Role #6: Economic Leader

Each president hopes
to help the country’s
economy prosper.

To do this, the
president plans the
federal budget – a
statement of our
government’s
economic plans for the
year.
Role #7: Party Leader

Our current President is the
head of the Democratic
party. The president is
considered the leader of
their political party.
 How can a president help
their political party?
– Give speeches on behalf of
candidates.
– Raise money for elections
– Use their constant media
coverage to get people in the
spotlight at big events (free
air time).