The Presidency
Chapters 14- The Growth of Presidential
Power
Article 2 of the
Constitution
Rule Book for
the Executive
Branch!
Powers given to President in
Constitution
Executive Powers
1.
Appointment Power & Removal Powers
2.
Ordinance Power- Executive Orders
3.
Executive Privilege
4.
Execute the Laws
Legislative Powers
1.
Convene Congress
Chief
2.
Veto Or pass a bill
Diplomatic Power
1.
2.
Military Powers
Commander &
Judicial Powers
Power to Make Treaties
Grants, Pardon
Recognize a new country Reprieves & amnesty
Expansion of Presidential power
= conflict between branches!
Who can the president appoint
to the executive branch? Who
must approve?
Who can Pres.
nominate/appoint?
 Pres. Has the power to
appoint/nominate…
 Supreme Court Justices
 Ambassadors
 Federal Judges
 President’s Cabinet- 14
departments which are his formal
body of advisors
 Presidential AppointmentsApprox. 3,000 Cabinet,
Ambassadors, Military officers,
Judges…
Senate Approves
The Supreme Court, 2010
The Roberts Court, October 2010
These justices have extremely important roles in our
government; they are judges for the rest of their lives
Very influential.
Nominates leaders of all the
President’s cabinet
departments
Cabinet secretaries
President’s Cabinet
(leaders) nominated by
Pres.
 Secretary John Kerry, State
Power to Convene Congress
State of Union Address
Once a year
Call Congress in to deal
with specific issues!
Veto Power- veto bill passed in
 Pocket Veto;- At end of
Congress
Congressional session, once
Congress has adjourns,
President has 10 days from
time bill is sent to the
Whitehouse, if he does not
approve the bill it will not
pass.
 A way of vetoing without a
formal veto.
Veto the Law;
Congress can
override with 2/3
vote
Power to Make Treaties
Who approves treaties?
What is a treaty v.
executive agreement?
 Treaty- Formal agreement
between two or more
countries- approved by
Senate
 Executive Agreement- pact
between President & head
of foreign country- Not
Approved by Senate
 Expansion of Pres. Power!
Not given in Constitution!
Senate must approve by
2/3 vote!
Pardon Power
 Pardon- issued by Pres. It is
legal forgiveness for a
crime.
 President Ford pardoned
Nixon for Watergate crimes.
 Amnesty- issued by Pres. to
pardon a large group of
people.
 Pres. Carter gave amnesty
to “Vietnam War Draft
evaders.”
Power of Commander & Chief
 Leader of the Armed forces
of America
 Army
 Navy
 Maries
 Air force
 National guard & coast
guard
Ordinance Power- power to
issue executive orders..
 Executive Order- is a
directive, rule or regulation
that has the effect of a law.
 While the order is not an
actual law, it is treated like
one.
 Clinton’s “Don’t ask don’t tell”
gays in the military policy
 This power is an inherent
power, not expressed or
stated in the constitution.
 Take Care clause…
 Obama signs order to raise
minimum wage for federal
contractors
Executive Orders – directives, rules,
& regulations from the President that
have the effect of laws
Executive Privilege
Claims by presidents that certain pieces of
info are reserved for their eyes only
Executive Privilege also an implied
power!
Claim by a president
that he has the right
to decide that the
national interest will
be better served if
certain information is
withheld from the
public, including the
Courts and Congress
United States v.
Nixon (1973) –
Limits to
Executive
Privilege!
Nixon Watergate
tapes