Unit III: The Executive Branch Studyguide

What are the qualifications to be President of the United States?

35 years old, natural-born citizen, U.S. resident for 14 years

How long is a presidential term?

4 years

What is the term limit for the President?

2 terms (or up to 10 years if assuming office as VP)

What amendment established the two-term limit?

22nd Amendment

What are some benefits of being President?

$400,000 salary, White House residence, Air Force One, lifetime pension, Secret Service protection

What does the President do as Chief of State?

Acts as the symbolic leader of the U.S., represents the country at public events

What does the President do as Chief Executive?

Enforces laws, oversees the executive branch, appoints officials, issues executive orders

What does the President do as Chief Administrator?

Manages the federal bureaucracy and executive departments

What is the bureaucracy?

A complex system of agencies, departments, and offices that implement government policies

What does the President do as Commander in Chief?

Leads the U.S. armed forces, makes key military decisions, can deploy troops (but not declare war)

What does the President do as Chief Legislator?

Influences lawmaking, proposes policies, signs/vetoes bills

What is the Honeymoon Period?

The first 100 days of a presidency when approval ratings are high and legislative success is more likely

What is a veto?

The President’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress

What happens if the President vetoes a bill?

Congress can override with a 2/3 vote in both houses

What is a signing statement?

A written statement issued by the President when signing a bill, indicating how they interpret or intend to enforce it

What does the President do as Chief of Party?

Leads their political party, supports party members, helps fundraise for election

What does the President do as Chief Diplomat?

Directs foreign policy, negotiates treaties, meets with foreign leaders, appoints ambassadors

What does the President do as Chief Citizen?

Represents all Americans, acts as a moral leader, and provides national unity

What is the President’s power in executing the law?

Enforces federal laws, Supreme Court decisions, and treaties

What is the Ordinance Power? (Formal or Informal?)

The power to issue executive orders (Informal)

What is the Appointment Power? (Formal or Informal?)

The President appoints federal officials, ambassadors, judges, and Cabinet members (Formal)

What is the Removal Power?

The ability to remove executive branch officials (except federal judges)

What power does the President have to make treaties? (Formal or Informal?)

Negotiates and signs treaties with foreign nations; requires Senate approval (Formal)

What are Executive Agreements? (Formal or Informal?)

Agreements with foreign leaders that do not require Senate approval (Informal)

What is the Power of Recognition?

The ability to recognize foreign governments as legitimate

What powers does the President have as Commander in Chief?

Commands the military, deploys troops, sets military strategy

What are the President’s legislative powers?

Veto, signing bills, recommending legislation, calling special sessions of Congress

What are the President’s judicial powers?

Grants reprieves, pardons, amnesty, commutations

What is an Executive Order? (Formal or Informal?)

A directive issued by the President with the force of law (Informal)

What is a Treaty? (Formal or Informal?)

A formal agreement between nations requiring Senate approval (Formal)

What is a Line-Item Veto? (Formal or Informal?)

The power to reject specific parts of a bill (Declared unconstitutional, formerly Formal)

What is a Reprieve?

Postponement of a legal punishment

What is a Pardon?

Legal forgiveness for a crime

What is Amnesty?

A group pardon for offenses against the government

What is Commutation?

Reduction of a criminal sentence

What is the War Powers Act?

Limits the President’s ability to send troops without congressional approval

What is Impeachment?

The process of charging a President with misconduct; requires House vote and Senate trial

What is an Imperial Presidency?

The idea that the President has gained too much power, acting without congressional approval

What is Executive Privilege?

The President’s right to withhold information from Congress or courts

What is the Stewardship Role?

The belief that the President should act in the best interests of the people unless the Constitution forbids it

What is the Veto power? (Formal or Informal?)

The President’s ability to reject a bill (Formal)

What is Impeachment? (Formal or Informal?)

The process to remove the President from office (Formal)

What is the Senate’s Advise and Consent power? (Formal or Informal?)

Senate must approve presidential appointments and treaties (Formal)

What is Judicial Review? (Formal or Informal?)

The Supreme Court’s power to declare presidential actions unconstitutional (Formal)

How does the media check the President? (Formal or Informal?)

Exposes policies, actions, and scandals to the public (Informal)

How do polls check the President? (Formal or Informal?)

Measure public approval, influencing political decisions (Informal)

How do special interest groups check the President? (Formal or Informal?)

Lobbying, campaign funding, influencing public opinion (Informal)

What are other checks on the presidency?

Congress controls the budget, overriding vetoes, public opinion, re-election pressures

What does the 25th Amendment do?

Establishes presidential succession, vice-presidential replacement, and procedures for presidential disability

What happens if the President is disabled and unable to perform duties?

The Vice President becomes Acting President if the President informs Congress or the VP and Cabinet declare incapacity

How is a Vice President replaced if the position becomes vacant?

The President nominates a new VP, who must be confirmed by both houses of Congress

What is the line of succession after the Vice President?

The Speaker of the House, President pro tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and Cabinet members in the order of their department's establishment.

What was Kearns-Goodwin’s article about?

Analyzes traits of great presidents, emphasizing leadership, resilience, and adaptability in crisis

What are Robert Dallek’s five qualities of a great president?

Vision, pragmatism, consensus-building, charisma, and trustworthiness

What is the role of the Chief of Staff?

Oversees White House operations, manages the President’s schedule, and acts as a key advisor

What does the Deputy Chief of Staff do?

Assists the Chief of Staff, coordinates policy, and manages White House staff

What is the role of the Press Secretary?

Communicates the President’s policies to the media, holds press briefings, and manages public relations

What does the National Security Advisor do?

Advises the President on national security and foreign policy issues

What is the role of the White House Counsel?

Provides legal advice to the President and the executive office

What does the White House Counselor do?

Senior advisor to the President, offering strategic and policy guidance

What are other key West Wing officials?

Communications Director, Legislative Affairs Director, Domestic Policy Advisor, Economic Advisors, Senior Advisors

What does the 20th Amendment address?

It sets the start and end dates for presidential and congressional terms, reducing the "lame-duck" period.

What is the purpose of the 25th Amendment?

It clarifies presidential succession and procedures for addressing presidential disability

What is the Presidential Succession Act of 1947?

A law establishing the line of succession beyond the Vice President, starting with the Speaker of the House

What are the primary responsibilities of the Vice President of the United States?

To preside over the Senate and assume the presidency if the President is unable to serve

How does the President utilize his staff under the Circular Model?

The President has direct communication with many advisors, promoting diverse input

How does the Pyramidal Model structure presidential staff?

Information flows through a hierarchical structure, with the Chief of Staff controlling access to the President

What is the Ad Hoc Model of presidential staffing?

The President employs a flexible approach, consulting various advisors as needed without a fixed structure

What are Cabinet Departments?

They are major administrative units that advise the President and implement federal policies

Who is the current Secretary of State?

Marco Rubio

Who is the current Secretary of the Treasury?

Scott Bessent

Who is the current Secretary of Defense?

Pete Hegseth

Who is the current Attorney General?

Pam Bondi

Who is the current Secretary of Homeland Security?

Kristi Noem

What is the primary function of the federal bureaucracy?

Implementing and enforcing laws passed by Congress

Approximately how many employees work in the federal bureaucracy?

Around 2 million civilian employees

Who are bureaucrats?

Individuals employed within government agencies to implement public policy

What are common criticisms of the bureaucracy?

Inefficiency, red tape, lack of accountability, and excessive complexity

Who was Max Weber, and what was his contribution to understanding bureaucracy?

A sociologist who defined bureaucracy as a hierarchical structure with specialized roles, operating on a merit-based system

What are Independent Regulatory Agencies?

Agencies created by Congress to regulate specific aspects of the economy, operating independently from executive departments

What is patronage in the context of bureaucracy?

The practice of granting government jobs based on political loyalty rather than merit

What are Regulatory Executive Agencies?

Agencies within the executive branch responsible for enforcing regulations and overseeing specific functions

What are Government Corporations?

Government-owned entities that provide services similar to private companies, such as the U.S. Postal Service

What are Quasi-Legislative Powers?

The authority of agencies to create regulations that have the force of law

What are Quasi-Judicial Powers?

The authority of agencies to interpret regulations and enforce penalties

What is the Pendleton Act?

The 1883 law that established a merit-based system for federal employment, reducing patronage

What is the Hatch Act?

A federal law prohibiting government employees from engaging in partisan political activities

How does the legislative branch check the bureaucracy?

Through oversight, budget control, and the power to reorganize agencies

How does the executive branch check the bureaucracy?

By appointing agency heads and issuing executive orders

How does the judicial branch check the bureaucracy?

Through judicial review of agency actions

How does the media check the bureaucracy?

By investigating and reporting on bureaucratic actions

How can the bureaucracy check the presidency?

By implementing regulations and policies that limit presidential power

What is an Iron Triangle?

A close relationship between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

What is an Issue Network?

A coalition of various interest groups and individuals who unite to promote a common cause

What are some defenses of the bureaucracy?

Expertise in policy areas, stability in administration, and implementation of complex programs

How is the bureaucracy independent from the branches?

Through civil service protections and specialized expertise that limit direct political influence