Executive Branch

Federalist 70

Advocates for a strong, energetic executive leader.

Chief Executive

Responsible for enforcing federal laws and policies.

Commander in Chief

Leads the military and directs military operations.

Executive Order

Presidential directive with the force of law.

War Powers Act

Limits presidential military actions without Congress approval.

Line Item Veto

Allows rejection of specific parts of legislation.

Bully Pulpit

Platform for the president to advocate policies.

Lame Duck Period

Time after election before new president takes office.

Judicial Review

Court's authority to invalidate unconstitutional laws.

Treaties

Formal agreements between the U.S. and other nations.

Pardons and Reprieves

Presidential powers to forgive or delay punishment.

State of the Union Address

Annual speech outlining the president's agenda.

Executive Privilege

Right to withhold information from Congress or courts.

Senate Confirmation

Senate's approval required for presidential appointments.

Approval Ratings

Public's assessment of the president's performance.

Chief Diplomat

The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements.

Head of State

The role of the president as ceremonial head of the government.

Economic Planner

the president appoints economic advisors, meets with business leaders, prepares an annual budget request, and submits economic reports to Congress.

Party Leader

In this role, the president is the head of his political party

Signing statements

announcements made by the president when signing bills into law, often presenting the president's interpretation of the law

Appointment powers

No one but the President can appoint a superior officer, but Congress can give the President, Department Heads or Judges the power to appoint an inferior officer.

Veto/sign laws

Presdient power as check and balance to congress

Presidential qualifications

Must be a natural born US citizen, must be 35 years of age, must have been a resident of the US for 14 years

22nd amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

Executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

Executive privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Impoundment of funds

A presidential refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress

U.S. v. Nixon

Holds that executive privilege does not extend to criminal cases

Youngstown v. Sawyer

the President does not have the authority to issue an order to seize the steel mills; Article II

Nixon v. Fitzgerald

states that presidents cannot be sued for damages related to official decisions made while in office

Clinton v. Jones

Held that a president was not immune from civil litigation except under highly unusual circumstances

Hamdi v. Rumsfeld

enemy combatants in the US still have due process rights; 5th amendment

Trump v. U.S.

Conclusive authority

Overriding a veto

Congress can override the president's veto with a 2/3 majority vote.

honeymoon period

the time following an election when a president's popularity is high and congressional relations are likely to be productive

Divided government

one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

Trial balloon

Tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gaugin public reaction

Press conference

an unrestricted session between an elected official and the press

Fireside chats

radio broadcasts made by FDR to the American people to explain his initiatives

"Going public"

Using the public to push forward policy and put pressure on congress