The President

The Role of the President

  • The President is the head of the executive branch in U.S. Government and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the country.
  • As the Commander-in-Chief, the President is in charge of the armed forces, and can declare war, albeit only with Congress approval.
  • The President has the responsibility to implement and enforce the laws written by Congress and, to that end, appoints the heads of federal agencies, including the Cabinet.
  • They have the power to veto bills passed by Congress, preventing them from becoming law — this action can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in Congress.
  • Presidents can also issue executive orders, which are directives issued to federal administrative agencies. These orders are used to guide operations of the government.

The Election of the President

  • The President is elected by citizens through a process known as the Electoral College. The election is held every four years, on the first Tuesday of November.
  • A candidate must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and have resided in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

Limitations of Presidential Power

  • The President’s power is limited by the other parts of government. The system of checks and balances ensures that the President’s decisions can be reviewed by the judiciary and by Congress.
  • The 22nd Amendment restricts any individual from being elected as President more than twice.

Significant Presidential Powers

  • The President can negotiate and sign treaties, but these are only effective if approved by a two-thirds vote in the Senate.
  • The President can issue pardons and reprieves for federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment.
  • An important part of the President’s role is to build relationships with foreign leaders and establish diplomatic relations with other countries.
  • Presidents perform ceremonial roles, such as ribbon-cutting for projects and inviting championship sports teams to visit the White House.