Here’s a concise breakdown of your Executive Branch vocabulary list with context:

20th Amendment

Moves presidential inauguration to January 20.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

25th Amendment

Establishes presidential succession and procedures for dealing with disability.

Administrative Adjudication

Bureaucratic agencies settle disputes like courts.

Administrative Discretion

Agencies decide how to enforce laws.

Administrative Rule Making

Agencies create regulations based on laws.

Bully Pulpit

President uses public influence to push policies.

Bureaucracy

The vast system of government agencies and officials.

Candidate-Centered Politics

Focuses on candidates rather than political parties.

Chief Diplomat

President directs foreign policy.

Chief Executive

President enforces laws and oversees government.

Chief Legislator

President influences lawmaking.

Chief of Staff

President’s top aide, controls White House operations.

Civil Servant

Government worker hired on merit.

Civil Service

Hiring based on qualifications, not political connections.

Commander in Chief

President leads the military.

Commutation

Reducing a criminal sentence.

Deregulation

Reducing government rules in industries.

Divided Government

One party controls the presidency, another controls Congress.

Electoral College

System that elects the president.

Emergency Powers

Extra powers used in crises.

Executive Agency

Government units with specific responsibilities.

Executive Agreement

International agreement by the president, no Senate approval.

Executive Order

Presidential directive with the force of law.

Executive Privilege

President can withhold information from Congress/courts.

Government Corporation

Businesses run by the government (e.g., USPS).

Gridlock

Government stalemate due to political conflict.

Honeymoon Effect

High initial approval of a new president.

Impeachment

Charging the president with misconduct.

Imperial President

A president with excessive power.

Impoundment

President refuses to spend approved funds.

Independent Administrative Agency

Agencies outside executive departments.

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Oversee industries and enforce regulations.

Inherent Powers

Powers assumed by the president (not explicitly stated).

Inspectors General

Watchdogs in government agencies.

Iron Triangles

Relationship between agencies, Congress, and interest groups.

Kitchen Cabinet

Informal advisors to the president.

Lame Duck

President with little power at the end of their term.

Legislative Liaison Staff

President’s team that works with Congress.

Legislative Veto

Congress blocking executive actions (ruled unconstitutional).

Line Item Veto

President vetoes parts of a bill (ruled unconstitutional).

Pardon/Amnesty

President forgives a crime.

President-Elect

Individual who has won but not yet taken office.

Presidential Coattails

Popular president helps other party candidates win.

Quasi-Judicial

Agencies acting like courts.

Quasi-Legislative

Agencies making regulations like laws.

Red Tape

Excessive bureaucracy and paperwork.

Reprieve

Delaying punishment.

Signing Statement

President explains how they’ll enforce a law.

Spoils System/Patronage

Giving government jobs to supporters.

State of the Union Address

President’s annual speech on national priorities.

Statutory Powers

Powers granted by Congress.

Street-Level Bureaucrats

Public officials who directly interact with citizens.

Sunset Clause

Law or program expires unless renewed.

Sunshine Laws

Requires government transparency.

Succession

Order of replacing the president.

Take Care Clause (Article 2)

President must enforce laws.

Trial Balloons

Leaking ideas to test public reaction.

Veto/Pocket Veto

Rejecting a bill; ignoring it to prevent passage.

Watergate

Scandal leading to Nixon’s resignation.

Whistleblower

Reports government wrongdoing.

White House Staff

President’s closest advisors.

Budget Impoundment & Control Act (1974)

Limits president’s power to withhold funds.

Civil Service Reform Act (1978)

Restructured hiring for federal jobs.

Freedom of Information Act (1966)

Public access to government records.

Hatch Act

Limits political activities of federal employees.

Pendleton Act

Ended the spoils system, established merit hiring.

War Powers Resolution (1973)

Limits president’s military power.

Bush v. Gore (2000)

Resolved the 2000 election dispute.

Clinton v. City of New York (1998)

Struck down the line-item veto.

US v. Nixon (1974)

Limited executive privilege, forced Nixon to release tapes.