The PresidentThe Powers of Office

Presidential PowersArticle II

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.

Powers of the President (sections 2 & 3) National Security Power Legislative Power Administrative Power Judicial Power

Powers of the PresidentNational Security Powers Commander-in-Chief Make treaties; 2/3 of Senate must

ratify Receive Ambassadors, Diplomatic

Recognition Appoint Ambassadors, Majority of

Senate must confirm

Commander in Chief • Civilian head of

all armed forces• Can make

secret agreements with other countries

• Can set up military government in conquered lands

• Can end fighting by calling a cease fire

Chief Diplomat

• Makes treaties) with Senate approval

• Can accept legal existence of other country’s government (power of recognition)

• Receives foreign chiefs of state

Powers of the President

Legislative Powers State of the Union Recommend

Legislation Veto Legislation Convene Congress Adjourn Congress

Chief Legislator

• Informs Congress on the condition of the country

• Recommends legislative measures

• Delivers the State of the Union address to Congress

Chief Legislator

• Submits annual economic report to Congress

• Suggests annual budget to Congress

• Can veto bills passed by Congress

• Can call special sessions of Congress

Powers of the PresidentAdministrative Powers Execute the Law http://

www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/executive-orders

Nominate Officials, majority of Senate must confirm

Functions of the Bureaucracy

Chief Executive • Enforce laws and

federal court decisions along with treaties signed by US

• Appoint federal officers, ambassadors, cabinet members, federal judges, justices of US Supreme Court

• Grants pardons, reprieves and amnesty for offenses against US except in cases of impeachment

• Submits annual budget to Congress

Chief of State • Performs certain

ceremonial functions as personal symbol of nation

• Examples: throws out first pitch at baseball gamelights up Nation’s Christmas treeInvites musicians to the White House.

Powers of the President

Judicial Powers Grant

Reprieves and Pardons

Appoint Federal Judges, Members of the Court

Other Presidential Functions

Chief of the Political Party • Heads political

party• Traditional role;

this role is not mentioned in US Constitution

Chief of the Political Party

• chooses Vice President• makes top government

appointments, often to those who have been long-time faithful to the party

• tries to execute party platform

• attends party fund raisers

• helps elect or re-elect members of his/her party running for public offices

Chief Citizen• The President

is expected to be the role model for citizens.

• We want them to be better than we are ourselves.