Executive Branch: Core Concepts

Vocabulary review covering the key core concepts of the U.S. presidency, including roles, elections, powers, impeachment, succession, and cabinet departments.

Chief Executive

The presidential role of leading the executive branch, enforcing laws, and managing the federal government.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the President, where electors (based on state population) cast votes.

Popular vs. Electoral Vote

The dynamic where a candidate can win the national popular vote but lose the election by failing to secure enough electoral votes, because electors are awarded state-by-state rather than proportionally to the national popular vote.

Presidential Qualifications

Constitutional requirements to serve as President: must be a natural-born citizen, at least $35$ years old, and a US resident for $14$ years.

Commander-in-Chief

A constitutional power of the President acting as the head of the armed forces.

Chief Diplomat

A constitutional role in which the President negotiates treaties and represents the US abroad.

Chief Legislator

A constitutional power allowing the President to propose legislation and veto bills.

Impeachment Process

The procedure where the House of Representatives votes on articles of impeachment by a simple majority, followed by a trial in the Senate requiring a two-thirds ($\frac{2}{3}$) vote for conviction and removal.

Presidential Succession

The order in which officials take over the presidency if the President dies, resigns, or is removed (e.g., Vice President, Speaker of the House, etc.).

Vice Presidential Succession Frequency

Historically, $9$ times a Vice President has become President due to a former President's term ending prematurely.

President's Cabinet

A group of advisors, usually heads of executive departments, appointed by the President to advise the President and manage their respective departments.

Department of State

The executive cabinet department responsible for advising on and managing foreign policy.

Department of the Treasury

The executive cabinet department responsible for economic and financial policy.

Department of Defense

The executive cabinet department responsible for overseeing military affairs.

Department of Justice

The executive cabinet department responsible for law enforcement.

Department of Education

The executive cabinet department responsible for overseeing national education policy.

25th Amendment

The constitutional amendment that clarifies presidential succession and presidential disability.