Government Chapter 9
Powers and roles of the President
Roles of the President
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Chief Executive
Commander in Chief
Economic Planner
Chief Legislator
Party Leader
Head of State
Chief Diplomat
Chief Executive
• *The Most Important Role of the President
• Makes sure that the executive branch carries
out the laws of Congress
• oversees government employees and the
agencies of the Executive branch
– Makes sure agencies like the FBI do what they are
supposed to
– Picks leaders of the agencies
Commander in Chief
• oversees the military and make key military
decisions.
– Has the authority to deploy troops
– Shares war powers with Congress
• President sends troops
• Congress Declares War
Economic Planner
• they play a vital role in economic decision
making.
• They help prepare the budget along with the
OMB (Office of Management and Budget)
• The president uses his CEA for advice
Chief Legislator
• Role of the president where they attempt to
influence legislation.
• They could provide ideas for bills
• The State of the Union Address provides the
President’s yearly legislation wish list
Party Leader
• they are the key spokesperson for their
political party
• They will support candidates for other elected
offices from their own party
Head of State
• they perform ceremonial duties important to
all leaders of a country
– For example they: throw out the first pitch at
Baseball games, light a Christmas tree and host
Easter Egg hunts.
In England they have a separate Head of State
(Queen)
Chief Diplomat
• They are responsible for foreign affairs.
(dealing with other countries)
• They send and receive ambassadors and meet
with foreign leaders
Powers of the
President
Powers of the President
• Article II lists powers given to the President
• The Constitution also allows for limits on
those powers as a part of the principle of
Checks and Balances
• People transfer power to the president by
voting
• Mandate
– The term for The expressed will of the people
often dictated through a landslide election
Running the Executive Branch
• Power of Appointment
– selects candidates for Executive Branch positions,
Ambassadorships, and federal court judge
positions
• Approval Power
– Congressional check on the president’s
appointment power
– The Senate Confirms or rejects all appointees of
the President
Running the Executive Branch cont.
• Executive Order
– Rules issued by the President alone, but they have the
same force as a law passed by Congress
– Abbreviated EO and followed by a number
• Example: EO 9066
• Judicial Review
– the Supreme Court's check on the President
– allows them to examine Executive Orders to
determine if they are constitutional or not.
– Established by Marbury v. Madison
Running the Executive Branch cont.
• Pardon
– full release from legal punishment
– The president can only grant pardons for federal crimes
• Reprieves
– the postponement of legal punishment
– The president can only grant reprieves for federal crimes
• Amnesty
– a pardon given to a large group, generally refugees.
• Executive Privilege
– The right held by the President that allows them to refuse
to testify before Congress or a court
Running the Executive Branch cont.
• Planning the Budget
– Responsibility of the President
– Assisted by the OMB
• Approving the Budget
– Check on Presidential Power
– House of Representatives
• Impoundment
– When the president refuses to allow an executive
agency to spend appropriated funds
Foreign Affairs
• The President has power to send and receive
ambassadors (Inherent Power)
• Executive Agreement
– An Informal agreement between leaders of two
nations
– does not need the approval of the Senate in the U.S.
• Treaty
– A formal written agreement between countries
– generally signed by the President
– must be approved by the Senate. (check)
Foreign Affairs cont.
• War Powers
– The president (as commander in Chief) has the
power to deploy troops
– The Senate (Check) has the power to declare war
– War Powers Act of 1973
• Requires the President to notify Congress within 48
hours of deploying troops
• Requires Congress to declare War within 60 days or
troops will be removed