The President (Power, Organization, Election)

Emergency Powers

Extraordinary authority exercised by the president during a national crisis.

Lincoln's Emergency Action

Suspended habeas corpus during the Civil War.

FDR's Emergency Powers

Used broad authority during Depression and WWII, including Japanese internment.

Bush's Post-9/11 Action

Ordered warrantless surveillance under emergency authority.

Executive Orders

A legislative type power...Can be used to direct the enforcement of legislation, to enforce the Constitution or treaties, and to establish or modify bureaucratic rules and regulations

Executive Privilege

Claim of power to refuse to release certain information or refuse to appear before Congress or courts. Most claims of executive privilege go unchallenged

Constitutional Grounds for Impeachment

The constitutional allows for the removal of a president from office for committing "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" through impeachment

House Role in Impeachment

Votes to formally impeach (accuse) the president.

Senate Role in Impeachment

Conducts the trial and votes on whether to convict (remove)

Andrew Johnson

First president impeached; acquitted by the Senate.

Richard Nixon

Resigned before formal impeachment over Watergate Scandal

Bill Clinton

Impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate.

Donald Trump's Impeachments

Impeached twice by the House and acquitted both times.

Trump v. United States (2024)

Presidential power entitles a former president to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive constitutional authority. Entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. No immunity for unofficial acts.

The Cabinet

Heads of major executive departments who advise the president.

Cabinet Size

Composed of 15 department secretaries and other top officials.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Staff personnel help coordinate the executive branch and bureaucracy. Frequently reorganized.

White House Office

Key personal advisers and immediate aides to the president.

Chief of Staff

Oversees White House operations and controls presidential access.

Vice President Constitutional Duties

Presides over Senate (tie-breaker) and maintains line of succession.

25th Amendment

If president dies or is removed from office, vice president becomes president. Also allows for vice president to take over in the event the president become incapacitated

Succession Act of 1947

Specifies the official order of presidential succession.

Vice President Informal Roles

Can change with each administration. Balance or strengthen the election ticket (geographically or by experience). Support the president's agenda. Advise the president

What must happen before an election?

Fundraising and Publicity: Candidates raise money to pay for their campaigns. They build their public profile to gain attention and support.

First official Stage of Presidential Election

Party caucuses and primaries in each state - States hold elections to help choose their party's presidential nominee.

Iowa and New Hampshire

Early primary contests carrying disproportionate influence on nominations.

Super Tuesday

The day when most states hold primary elections simultaneously - helping narrow down the nominees.

National Party Conventions

Chooses its presidential and vice presidential nominees. Announces its party platform (the party's goals and beliefs). Holds speeches and other events. Delegates cast votes to confirm the nominees.

Swing States

Highly competitive states where campaigns focus time and resources - States where either party has a realistic chance of winning.

Electoral College Slate

Equal to the congressional delegation. Electors meet to cast official votes in December. President of the Senate receives and counts the states' votes in January → officially proclaims the winner.