🎪Intro to American Politics Unit 8 – The Presidency

Constitutional Foundations

• Article II of the U.S. Constitution establishes the executive branch and outlines the powers and responsibilities of the President
• The President is elected to a four-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms as established by the 22nd Amendment
• The President must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and have been a resident of the United States for at least 14 years
• The President is the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces
• The President has the power to grant pardons and reprieves for federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment
• The President can convene or adjourn Congress under extraordinary circumstances
• The President is responsible for faithfully executing the laws and preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution

Powers and Responsibilities

• The President has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress, although Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses
• The President has the authority to appoint federal judges, cabinet members, and other high-ranking officials, subject to Senate confirmation
• The President is responsible for conducting foreign policy and negotiating treaties, which must be ratified by a two-thirds majority in the Senate
• The President has the power to grant pardons and commute sentences for federal crimes
• The President is the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces and has the authority to deploy troops and direct military operations
• The President is responsible for presenting an annual budget to Congress and can propose legislation
• The President has the power to issue executive orders, which have the force of law but can be overturned by Congress or the courts

Executive Branch Structure

• The executive branch is headed by the President and includes the Vice President and the Cabinet
• The Cabinet is composed of the heads of executive departments (State, Treasury, Defense) who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
• Executive departments are responsible for implementing and enforcing laws within their respective areas of authority
• Independent agencies (CIA, EPA) are not part of the Cabinet but report directly to the President and have specific regulatory or investigative functions
• The Executive Office of the President (EOP) includes a number of offices and councils (National Security Council, Council of Economic Advisers) that provide advice and support to the President
• The White House staff includes the President's closest advisers and assists in managing the President's daily activities and communications
• The Vice President is the first in the line of succession and assumes the presidency if the President is unable to serve

Presidential Elections

• Presidential elections are held every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
• Candidates for President and Vice President are nominated by their respective political parties through a series of primary elections and caucuses
• The general election is decided by the Electoral College system, in which each state is allocated a number of electors based on its representation in Congress
• A candidate must receive a majority (270) of the 538 electoral votes to win the presidency
• If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the President from among the top three candidates, with each state delegation having one vote
• The President and Vice President are inaugurated on January 20th following the election and serve a four-year term
• Presidents are limited to two full terms in office, as established by the 22nd Amendment

Policy-Making and Implementation

• The President sets the overall policy agenda for the executive branch and works with Congress to enact legislation
• The President can propose legislation and use the "bully pulpit" to build public support for their policies
• The President has the power to issue executive orders, which have the force of law but can be overturned by Congress or the courts
• The President works with executive departments and agencies to implement and enforce laws and policies
• The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists the President in developing the annual budget and overseeing the implementation of programs and policies
• The President can use the veto power to block legislation they oppose, although Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses
• The President can use signing statements to express their interpretation of a bill's constitutionality or to direct how it should be implemented by executive agencies

Relationship with Congress

• The President and Congress have a complex and often adversarial relationship, as they represent different branches of government with distinct powers and responsibilities
• The President relies on Congress to pass legislation and approve budgets, while Congress relies on the President to implement and enforce laws
• The President can use the veto power to block legislation passed by Congress, although Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses
• The President can use the threat of a veto to influence the content of legislation and negotiate with members of Congress
• The President can use executive orders and signing statements to bypass Congress and implement policies unilaterally, although these actions can be challenged in court
• Congress has the power to investigate the executive branch through oversight hearings and subpoenas, and can impeach and remove the President for "high crimes and misdemeanors"
• The President and members of Congress often engage in negotiations and compromise to advance their respective policy agendas

Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

• The President is the chief diplomat and is responsible for conducting foreign policy and representing the United States in international affairs
• The President has the power to negotiate treaties and executive agreements with foreign nations, although treaties must be ratified by a two-thirds majority in the Senate
• The President is the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces and has the authority to deploy troops and direct military operations
• The President works with the State Department and other agencies to develop and implement foreign policy strategies and initiatives
• The President can use economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and military force to advance U.S. interests abroad
• The President is responsible for managing relations with allies and adversaries and responding to international crises and conflicts
• Congress has the power to declare war and regulate foreign commerce, and can use these powers to influence and constrain the President's foreign policy actions

Historical Evolution of the Presidency

• The role and powers of the President have evolved over time through a combination of constitutional amendments, legislation, and historical precedent
• Early Presidents (Washington, Adams) focused on establishing the legitimacy and authority of the executive branch within the new constitutional system
• The presidency expanded in scope and power during times of national crisis, such as the Civil War (Lincoln) and the Great Depression (FDR)
• The 20th century saw a significant expansion of presidential power, particularly in the areas of foreign policy and national security (Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy)
• The Watergate scandal (Nixon) led to increased congressional oversight and restrictions on presidential power, such as the War Powers Resolution and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
• Recent Presidents (Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump) have faced challenges such as divided government, partisan polarization, and the growth of social media and alternative news sources
• The presidency continues to evolve in response to changing political, social, and technological circumstances, and the balance of power between the President and Congress remains a central feature of the American political system