“Hats” the President Wears:
Roles of the President of the United States
Chief Executive
Description
Examples
• Empowered to
administer the laws and
affairs of the nation.
• His agencies have
responsibility and
authority to carry out the
laws
• “Boss” for the
government workers in
the executive branch.
-appoint someone to
serve as the head of the
CIA
-holding cabinet
meeting to discuss
government business
-Reading FBI reports on
the state of national
security
Commander In Chief
Description
Examples
• In charge of all branches of
the armed forces (navy,
army, marines, coast guard,
air force).
•All military leaders report to
and take orders from the
president
•Decides where troops
stationed, ships will be sent,
and how weapons are used.
-inspecting a
Navy yard
-deciding in
wartime whether
or not to bomb
foreign cities
- calling out
National Guard to
stop/control a riot
Head of Political Party
Description
Examples
• Leader of his or her political
party.
• Helps members of his/her
party get electedCongressional races.
• Campaigns for individuals
who support his/her policies.
•Campaign for re-election
with party support at the end
of first term.
-Choosing
leading party
members to
serve in the
Cabinet
-Traveling to
speak at
Campaign rallies
for Senate
candidates
Chief Legislator
Description
Examples
• voice ideas and opinions
to Congress while they
draft legislation.
•Influence Congress is law
making (Congress makes
the laws, not President).
• Sets legislative agenda
through speeches- i.e.
State of the Union
address.
-Signing or vetoing
bill passed by
Congress
-Working to get
House and Senate
votes for bill to be
passed in both
houses
-Making speeches in
Congress
Chief Diplomat
Description
Examples
• makes foreign policy of
United States
•Interacts with leaders of
other nations
•Develops foreign policy
with other nations
• Sends diplomats
ambassadors to foreign
governments
-Traveling to London
to meet leaders
-Working with
Middle East Leaders
on peace
agreements
-Entertaining
Japanese diplomats
at White House
Head of State
Description
Examples
• Represents the U.S. at
public events.
• Ceremonial role that
allows the President to
promote/convey/repre
sent American values
• Living symbol of the
nation
-Awarding
medals to
students
-Congratulating
astronauts
-Greeting visitors
at the White
House
-Giving speech on
July 4th
Chief Administrator
Description
Examples
•Prepares the nation’s
budget
•Monitor economic
issues
•Help confront
economic problems
and work with
Congress in doing so
-Meeting with
economic advisors to
address causes of
unemployment
-Work with congress
to pass a stimulus bill
-Prepare and submit a
budget to Congress
Chief Citizen
Description
Examples
•Expected to take the
high road
•Champion the public
interest against the
many different and
competing private
interests.
•A place of moral
leadership
-Portraying moral
integrity
-Building trust
-Visiting a vet in the
hospital
-Shooting hoops in a
neighborhood park.
-Finding ways to be
“real”