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American Government - The President

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    Study Guide American Government – The President 1. The Execu Ɵ ve Branch The Constitution created the executive branch , headed by the president — a big change from the weak executive under the Articles of Confederation. • Some Founders wanted a very strong executive , almost like an elected king. • But the memory of fighting British monarchy was still fresh, so they settled for a limited presidency . 1.1 Powers of the President The Constitution gives the president the power to: • Execute the laws • Serve as commander in chief of the military The Constitution does not clearly define the president’s role in domestic or foreign policy. • People who wanted a weak president saw the role as a chief clerk , carrying out Congress’s orders. • But nothing in the Constitution prevented the presidency from becoming a powerful leadership position or a rival to Congress . 1.2 Limits on the Presidency The president’s powers are checked in several ways : • Congress can override vetoes • Senate must approve appointments • Term limits: Four - year term, maximum of two terms (22nd Amendment, 1951) • Impeachment: The House can bring formal charges, and the Senate can remove the president if convicted Even with these checks, the power and influence of the presidency have grown significantly over the past 200 years.

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    Study Guide 2. The Powers of the President The Constitution grants few specific powers to the president . Most of Article II focuses on: • How the president is elected • Term and qualifications • Succession and impeachment procedures Despite this, presidential powers have expanded over time through: • Inherent powers (powers inferred from the Constitution) • Legislation passed by Congress 2.1 Treaty Power • The president can negotiate treaties with other nations. • Senate approval: Requires a two - thirds vote to ratify. • Examples of treaty challenges: o Treaty of Versailles (1919): Rejected by the Senate o SALT II (1979): Senate refused action 2.2 Appointment Power • The president selects thousands of officials, including: o Ambassadors o Supreme Court and federal court judges o Cabinet secretaries • Over 2,000 positions require Senate confirmation . • Patronage: Some appointments reward loyalty or campaign support. • Confirmation hearings can become highly controversial , e.g., Clarence Thomas

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    Study Guide Legislative Powers • The president can propose legislation , usually via the State of the Union address . • Veto power: Rejecting a bill is a major check on Congress. o Override: Requires two - thirds vote in both chambers. 2.3 Other Speci fi c Powers • Call special sessions of Congress • Adjourn Congress if House and Senate disagree on dates • Grant pardons for federal crimes (except impeachment) o Example: Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon 2.4 Inherent Powers • Powers inferred from the Constitution, often used in foreign policy . o Example: George Washington declared neutrality in the 1793 France - Britain war • Presidents can sign executive agreements without Senate approval • Executive privilege: Protects confidential communications and sensitive information o Example: Bill Clinton (Lewinsky scandal), George W. Bush (U.S. attorneys investigation) • Commander in chief: Presidents can send troops into combat without Congress o War Powers Act (1973): Requires consultation and withdrawal after 60 days unless Congress approves Historical examples of crisis response using inherent powers: • Lincoln: Civil War • FDR: Great Depression and World War II • George W. Bush: September 11, 2001 Inherent powers can be limited by Congress or declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court .

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    Study Guide 2.5 Delega Ɵ on of Powers • Congress often delegates powers to the president to handle domestic issues. o Example: FDR during the Great Depression • New cabinet departments and federal agencies have expanded presidential authority over: o Education o Welfare o Environment o Homeland security Trend: Over the 20th century, presidential powers have generally grown at the expense of Congress . 3. The Func Ɵ ons of the President The president has many duties, some listed in the Constitution and others that have evolved over time . How a president carries out these duties often depends on their personality and their view of the presidency and government . • Example: The State of the Union address wasn’t delivered as a speech until Woodrow Wilson’s presidency . 3.1 Leadership Styles Presidents often take one of two approaches: 1. Modern, active leaders: o See themselves as representatives of all Americans o Pursue ambitious policies using inherent powers o Scholars praise this style because it leaves a strong mark on government o Risk: May push constitutional limits • Example: Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus • Example: Andrew Jackson and FDR challenged the Supreme Court

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