US Governmet- Executive

What are Formal Powers?

Formal Powers are those explicitly granted in the Constitution. These powers are written in Article 2, and also includes implied powers in the Constitution.

What are Informal Powers?

Informal Powers are not written in the Constitution, but over time, presidents have developed and used them to increase their influence.

3 Formal Powers of the President

• Executive Orders (An executive order is a directive from the president to federal agencies that carries the force of law.)

• Appointment of Suprme Court Justices

• Veto Power

Give an example of the Formal Power of Executive Orders?

Trump 2025, issuance of an Executive Order to delay the ban of Tiktok for 75 days

(Can be blocked by Supreme Court)

Give an Example of the Formal Power of Appointment of Supreme Court Justices?

Trump 2020, appointment of Amy Coney Barrett, he liked her pro-life stance on abortion

(President’s may elect those whos ideologies align with theirs)

Give an Example of the Formal Power of Vetos?

Trump 2021, he vetoed the NDAA 2021 because he disagreed with some of the contents within it.

(Overidden with 322-87 in HOR, and 81-13 in the Senate)

What is the military power granted to the President in Article 2 Section 2?

The President is the Commander-in-Chief, the president has the authority to command the U.S Armed Forces

What Act limits the war-making powers of the President?

War Powers Resolution Act of 1973.

The President gets granted 60 days to enforce military action, and if Congress has not approved of this within this 60 day period, the President must withdraw forces

Give an example of the President using his power of Commander-in-Chief?

In 1990, Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait. President Bush used his Commander-in-Chief powers to deploy U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf region to protect Saudi Arabia and prepare for military action.

3 Informal Powers of the President?

• Bully Pulpit

• World Stage Influence

• Agenda Setting

What is the Bully Pulpit and give an example of it?

Bully Pulpit is where the President uses media and public speeches to shape public opinion and pressure Congress

In January 2022, Biden gave a forceful speech from the White House urging Congress to pass voting rights legislation.

What is Wolrd Stage Influence and give an example of it?

World Stage Influence is where the President shapes U.S foregin policy and engages with other nations through diplomatic efforts.

President Biden at 2023 NATO Summit- Biden played a cental diplomatic role in rallying NATO allies to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. He used speeches, meetings and symbolic gestures to show U.S leadership.

What is Agenda Setting and give an example of it?

Agenda Setting is where the president influences the legislative agenda by proposing laws and prioritisng issues, often through the State of the Union address.

President Obama’s push for healthcare reform led to the ACA.

3 ways the President can influence foreign policy?

• Commander in Chief

• Appoints Key Foreign Policy Officials

• World Stage Leadership

Example of how commander in chief influences foregin policy?

President Obama 2011, as commander-in-chief, Obama ordered U.S airstrikes to Libya as part of a NATO misson to protect civillians during the civil war.

This shaped U.S foregin policy by supporting international intervention without a formal declaration of war or full congressional support.

Example of how appointments of key foregin policy officials influences foreign policy?

President Biden 2021, appointment of Antony Blinken as Secretary of State. Bliken was a strong supporter of rebuilding alliances, especially with NATO and EU partners.

Under his leadership, U.S foregin policy shifted towards a re-engagement with global institutions.

Example of how World Stage Leadership can influence foregin policy?

President Biden at 2023 NATO Summit- Biden played a cental diplomatic role in rallying NATO allies to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. He used speeches, meetings and symbolic gestures to show U.S leadership.

What checks and balances do Congress hold on the President?

• Impeachment

• Confirming Supreme Court Nominees

• Power of the Purse

Give an example of the check and balance of Impeachment held by Congress over the President

Bill Clinton (1998-1999) he was impeached by the House for perjury and obstruction of justice, however he was acquitted by the Senate in 1999.

Give an example of the check and balance of Confirming Supreme Court Nominees held by Congress over the President

Robert Bork 1987 was nominated by Ronald Reagan, however the Senate rejected this nomination due to Bork’s conservative judicial philosophy

Give an example of the check and balance Power of the Purse held by Congress over the President

Trump 2019, Congress refused to fully fund Trump’s request for a $5.7 billion southern border wall, this led to a government shutdown and Trump’s national emergency declaration to redirect funds.

What checks and balances do the Supreme Court have over the President

• Power of Judicial Review

Give an example of the check and balance Judicial Review held by the Supreme Court over the President?

U.S v Nixon (1974)- During the Watergate Scandal, President Nixon claimed executive privilege to withhold White House tapes from federal investigation. The SCOTUS ruled that Nixon had to hand over the tapes. The decision limited presidential power by affirming that executive privilege cannot be used to obstruct justice, particularly in criminal investigations.

Give 3 external limits on the powers of the President

• Media

• Public Approval

• External Events

Give an example of how Media limited the power of a president?

Watergate Scandal 1974- Media heavily publicised the issue, which then unfortuntely led to the resignation of President Nixon

Give an example of how Pulbic Approval limited the power of a president?

Trump 2020- Lost a vast amount of public approval due to his approach to Covid-19 as well as the BLM movement, and this eventually led to him losing the next election to Biden.

Give an example of how External Events have limited the power of a president?

President Kennedy 1962- During the Cold War, Kennedy had to negotiate with the Soviet Union in order to avoid the Cuban Missile Crisis, and nucleur disaster.

Why do National Emergencies increase Presidential Power?

A national emergency is a formal declaration by the president that allows the use of special legal powers to address a significant crisi or threat to the country.

It is declared under the National Emergencies Act (1976)

Give an example of how a National Emergency increased Presidential Power?

Trump Border Wall 2019- When Congress denied to approve $5.7 billion for Trump to spend on a border wall, he declared a national emergency and was able to reallocate $3.6 billion in military construction funds to build sections of the wall.

3 ways the Cabinet can limit the power of the President?

• 25th Amendment (Section 4)

• Cabinets control key departments and decision making

• Can leak information or resign in protest

What is the 25th Amendment and give an example of it limiting the power of a President?

25th Amendment- The Cabinet, with he Vice President, can declare the President unfit to serve, temporarily removing them from power.

E.g- After the January 6th Capitol riot, there was discussion of using this against Trump

Give an example of how the Cabinet Controls Key Departments and Decision Making, and so can limit the power of the President?

Obama 2013- Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel clashed with the Obama Administration due to military stratergy regarding military strikes in Syria

Give an example of how the Cabient can leak information or resign in protest to limit the power of the President?

Nixon 1973- Attorney General Elliot Richardson resigned rather than firing the Watergate Special Prosecutor.