Overview of the US Government and the Executive Branch

Three Branches of Government

• Legislative Branch: Responsible for making laws.

• Executive Branch: Enforces laws, headed by the President.

• Judicial Branch: Interprets laws.

The President and the Executive Branch

• Leadership: The President is the head of the executive branch.

• Unique Powers:

  • Executive Orders: Directives to federal agencies without Congressional approval.

  • Veto Power: Rejecting legislation passed by Congress.

  • Appointing Officials: Appoints federal judges, cabinet members, and heads of independent commissions.

  • Commander in Chief: Leads the military.

• Cabinet: Advisory board for the President comprised of department heads (Secretaries).

Checks and Balances

• The Senate confirms Presidential appointees, establishing a check on executive power.

• The President can veto legislation, acting as a check on Congress.

• The Supreme Court can overturn executive orders, providing judicial oversight.

Presidential Appointments and Line of Succession

• Appointment Process: Presidential nominees require Senate confirmation, illustrating checks and balances.

• Line of Succession:

  1. Vice President

  2. Speaker of the House

  3. Senate President pro tempore

  4. Cabinet members in order of their departments.

Eligibility Requirements for the Presidency

• Must be at least 35 years old.

• Must be a natural-born citizen.

• Must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

• Limited to two terms as per the 22nd Amendment ratified in 1951.

Electing a President

• The process involves the Electoral College, where citizens vote for electors who then vote for the President.

The Cabinet

• Purpose: To advise the President based on expertise. Defined in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution.

• First Cabinet Meeting: Held by George Washington with four department heads.

Cabinet-Level Officials

• Not formally cabinet members but attend meetings and have significant roles:

  • White House Chief of Staff

  • Trade Representative

  • Director of National Intelligence

  • CIA Director

Federal Agencies

• Numerous independent agencies such as the FBI, CIA, NASA, etc.

• Department heads can easily be fired by the President, whereas all cabinet members are subject to impeachment for misconduct.

  The cabinets

  1.Department of State - Handles foreign policy.

  2.Department of Treasury - Chief economic adviser/takes care of money.

  3.Department of Defense - Oversees military affairs.

  4.Department of Justice - : Chief law enforcement officer.

  5.Department of the Interior - Manages federal lands.

  6.Department of Agriculture -: Oversees farming and food laws.

  7.Department of Commerce - : Focuses on economic growth.

  8.Department of Labor - Advocates for worker rights and job seekers.

  9.Department of Health and Human Services -: Promotes public health policies.

  10.Department of Housing and Urban Development - : Ensures affordable housing.

  11.Department of Transportation -Constructs transportation networks.

  12.Department of Energy - Manages the nation's energy policies.

  13.Department of Education -Coordinates federal education efforts.

  14.Department of Veterans Affairs - Provides services to veterans.

  15.Department of Homeland Security - Focuses on anti-terrorism and disaster response.

The current president is Donald Trump and the vice president is J.D. Vance.

Presidents who have been impeached include:

• Andrew Johnson

• Bill Clinton

• Donald Trump (twice)

The Electoral College plays a crucial role in electing the President of the United States. Citizens vote for electors during the presidential election, and these electors then cast their votes for the President. There are a total of 538 electoral votes available, and a candidate needs a majority of 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

Richard Nixon is the only U.S. president who has resigned from office, doing so amidst the Watergate scandal in 1974.

Mount Rushmore features the faces of four presidents:

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• Theodore Roosevelt

• Abraham Lincoln

California has the most electoral college votes, totaling 55, while Illinois has 19 electoral college votes.

As of now, there are 47 presidents in total, with Donald Trump being the current president. A notable president who won by electoral votes is George W. Bush and Donald Trump, who won the presidency in 2000 and 2024 despite losing the popular vote.

The President has several key powers and responsibilities:

• Main Duties:

  • Enforces laws

  • Acts as the Commander in Chief of the military

  • Appoints federal judges and heads of executive departments

  • Conducts foreign relations and represents the U.S. in international affairs

  • What the President Can Do:

  • Issue executive orders

  • Veto legislation passed by Congress

  • Grant pardons

  • What the President Cannot Do:

  • Cannot unilaterally declare war

  • Cannot spend money without Congressional approval

  • Cannot create laws without legislative action