Executive Branch

Ambassadors

Official representatives of a country sent to foreign nations to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the president.

Bargaining and persuasion

The president’s ability to negotiate with Congress and other political actors to achieve policy goals.

Bully Pulpit

The president’s use of visibility and influence to push an agenda and rally public support.

Cabinet

A group of presidential advisors, including the heads of executive departments, who help the president make decisions and execute policies.

Chief of Staff

The top aide to the president who manages the White House staff and controls access to the president.

Commander in Chief

The president's role as the supreme leader of the military forces of the U.S.

Delegate

A representative who acts based on the wishes of their constituents rather than their own judgment.

Divided Government

When one party controls the presidency and another controls one or both houses of Congress, often leading to political gridlock.

Electoral College

The system established by the Constitution to elect the president, where electors from each state vote based on the popular vote in their state.

Executive Agreement

A formal agreement between the president and a foreign leader that does not require Senate approval.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The group of agencies and advisors that help the president manage the executive branch.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law without needing congressional approval.

Executive Privilege

The president’s right to withhold certain communications from Congress or the courts in matters of national security or confidentiality.

Going public

When the president appeals directly to the American people to pressure Congress into supporting their policies.

Gridlock

A situation where government action is halted due to political stalemate or opposition between branches.

Honeymoon Period

The early months of a presidency when public approval is high and the president’s influence in Congress is strongest.

Impeachment

The process by which Congress can remove a president from office for 'high crimes and misdemeanors.'

Imperial Presidency

A term describing a president who acts beyond constitutional limits, exerting excessive power without congressional approval.

Impoundment

The president’s refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress, now largely restricted by law.

In-and-Outers

Political appointees who alternate between government service and private sector jobs.

Independent Agencies

Federal organizations that operate independently from executive departments, such as NASA or the EPA.

Informal Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but used by the president, like executive agreements and persuasion.

Inherent Powers

Powers claimed by the president based on the Constitution’s vesting of executive authority, even if not explicitly mentioned.

Lame Duck Period

The time between a new president's election and the outgoing president’s departure, often reducing the outgoing president’s influence.

Legislative Veto

The ability of Congress to override an executive action, ruled unconstitutional in INS v. Chadha (1983).

Line-Item Veto

The ability to reject specific parts of a bill without vetoing the entire bill; ruled unconstitutional at the federal level in Clinton v. City of New York (1998).

National Security Council (NSC)

A presidential advisory group focusing on national security, foreign policy, and military affairs.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The agency responsible for preparing the president’s budget and overseeing executive branch agencies.

Pocket Veto

When the president takes no action on a bill within 10 days while Congress is adjourned, effectively vetoing it.

Presidential Pardon

The president’s power to forgive individuals for federal crimes, removing penalties.

Presidential Succession Act (1947)

A law outlining the order of succession if the president and vice president are unable to serve.

Recess Appointment

When the president fills a vacancy while the Senate is in recess, bypassing the usual confirmation process.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make government decisions on their behalf.

Signing Statement

A written statement issued by the president when signing a bill into law, often explaining how they interpret the law.

State of the Union

An annual speech by the president to Congress outlining the administration’s agenda and priorities.

Stewardship Theory

The idea that the president has broad powers to act in the national interest, unless explicitly restricted by law.

Treaty

A formal agreement between countries, requiring Senate approval by a two-thirds vote.

Trustee

A representative who acts based on their own judgment rather than strictly following the wishes of constituents.

Twelfth Amendment

Changed the presidential election process by requiring separate electoral votes for president and vice president.

Twentieth Amendment

Moved the presidential inauguration from March 4 to January 20 to reduce the lame duck period.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Outlines the process for presidential succession and handling presidential disabilities.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Limits the president to two elected terms.

Twenty-Third Amendment

Grants Washington, D.C., electoral votes in presidential elections.

Unified Government

When the presidency and Congress are controlled by the same political party, reducing gridlock.

Veto

The president’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Veto Message

A statement issued by the president explaining why they vetoed a bill.

War Powers Act (1973)

A law limiting the president’s power to deploy military forces without congressional approval.

White House Staff

The president’s personal assistants and advisors, including the Chief of Staff and other key aides.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.