presidential powers

Appointment powers

• The president’s power to choose an appoint people to keep positions in the federal government

• The president can appoint cabinet members, federal judges, ambassadors/diplomats, top military, officers, and heads of federal agencies

• However, the Senate must confirm most of these appointments, excluding White House staff and lower level executive officials.

Appointment powers are enumerated in the constitution

the power to sign executive orders

• a formal directive issued by the president that tells parts of the executive branch how to carry out laws or policies

• The president SHOULD use an executive order to enforce laws already put in place by Congress, not make new ones. One executive order does overstep, the Supreme Court typically gets involved.

The power to sign executive orders is not specifically enumerated in the constitution

The power to fill a cabinet

The cabinet is a group of the president top advisors. The cabinet consists of the heads of 15 executive departments plus a few key officials of the president’s choice. So when we say “ the power to fill cabinet” it is really saying, the power to nominate in a point leaders of executive departments

This power is a enumerated by the constitution

The power to run the Office of Management and Budget

• OMB is a powerful agency inside of the executive office of the president (EOP). It is responsible for created the federal budget, overseeing how the federal money is spent, and managing the performance/efficiency of executive agencies.

• When we’re talking about the presidents power to run the OMB, we’re really talking about the president’s power to direct and oversee

This power is not enumerated in the constitution

Impoundment powers

• Impoundment means to seize and hold something

• Basically, a president can see the funds of various programs for reasons such as cost savings, to address policy, disagreement with Congress, or due to changes in relevant circumstances

This power is not enumerated by the constitution

The power to pick the White House chief of staff

The president’s power to pick the White House chief of staff is a significant but informal one. As the role of this political appointee does not require senate confirmation, this allows the president to select and dismiss the individual at will

This power is not enumerated by the constitution

President role as chief legislator

• the president influences lawmaking by proposing legislation, presenting the annual budget, and promoting their political agenda.

• The president’s formal powers include :sign bills into law or veto them

• The president’s informal powers involve: using influence in persuasion to shape legislation

This power is not enumerated by the constitution

The president’s role as party leader

As the party leader, the president acts as the head of their political party. The president uses this role to advance a legislative agenda, support fellow party members running for office, and the parties public message.

This power is not enumerated in the constitution

The president‘s role as chief of state

The US president acts as a symbolic, ceremonial, and unifying representative of the entire nation. This is vital for building public support. In this role, the president can connect with the American people on an emotional level.

This power is not enumerated by the constitution

The power to sign executive agreements

Allows, the president to make international arrangements with foreign governments without needing the sentence approval. These agreements which are binding under international law, can be based on the president’s constitutional authority

This power is not enumerated in the constitution

War powers resolution

Federal law that attempts to limit the president’s power to commit US Armed Forces to conflict without congressional approval. It basically requires the president to notify Congress within two days of deploying troops into hostilities. It also mandates that forces cannot remain in conflict for more than 60 to 90 days without formal declaration of war or further authorization from Congress

This power is not enumerated by the constitution

Pardoning powers

Allows the president to grant pardons for federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment. It does not apply to state crimes.

This power is enumerated in the constitution