THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AT A GLANCE Addressed in Article II of the Constitution Responsible for enforcing the laws of the United States The President of the United States is the leader of the Executive Branch However there is much more to the Executive Branch than just the president 4 Million US citizens are employed by the Executive Branch of the US (This includes the military)
EXECUTIVE BRANCH BASICS US Presidents and Vice Presidents serve a term of 4 years President can serve no longer than 2 terms (22 nd Amendment) Why 4 years? US Presidents are technically elected by the electoral college To be Qualified to run for President Must be 35 Years of Age Must be a Natural Born Citizen (whatever that means? - still up for interpretation) Must be a resident within the US for at least 14 years The US President makes about 400,000 of these
The President s Many Different Hats The President serves in the following official capacities Chief of State run day to day operations of government, figurehead of the US The Boss in charge of whole Executive Branch, which means he/she is the boss of 4 million employees (including military) Chief Diplomat responsible for shaping US foreign policy and representing the US abroad with foreign countries and leaders Legislator influences Congress to try and push his/her political agenda, signs bills into laws (or can veto bills) Commander in Chief Direct control over the Nation s military forces (although the President does rely on the Congress for military funding)
BUT WAIT!! There s More... [hats that is] The Presidential role has evolved to include even more hats These are not in the Constitution, but have come to be expected of the President anyways Chief Economist responsible for watching over the Country s economy and take action to help the economy when needed Chief Citizen role model citizen for the rest of the country to follow Chief of the Party every President except George Washington has been a member of a political party, and since they are seen as the highest public official, they are also seen as the leader of their Political Party
WASHINGTON S PRECEDENTS George Washington set numerous unofficial precedents as the first ever President So Help Me God this has been spoken by ever President since Washington after taking the oath of office at their inauguration Call Me Mr. President! there were many names proposed.. your majesty. your excellency.. George Washington only wanted to be called Mr. President.. And it stuck A Cabinet no not the kind of Cabinet with clothes, the President s Cabinet is a group of people who serve as advisors to him/her.. After all, the President can t be expected to know it ALL right?
Wait, more precedents?.. Yep! Staying Neutral The President felt it was best the US stayed out of foreign affairs or wars.. And this stood true until World War II, this is one precedent that has been broken since then.. Teach Them How to Say Goodbye left after 2 terms, setting a precedent that would be followed by all future presidents until Franklin Roosevelt, who served 4 terms. After Roosevelt an amendment was created making this unofficial idea of 2 terms an official part of the Constitution By leaving after 2 terms, Washington showcased a peaceful exchange of power! Also the fact that he made a famous farewell address which every other President has also done at the end of their term..
Washington s Farewell Address Washington s farewell address covered many topics concerning what he had learned during his presidency and what he felt the US should strive to do in the future Unity states need to come together as one country Government Change should only be accomplished by amendments to the Constitution rather than violence Foreign Relations do not get involved with foreign affairs The Presidency Respect checks and balances amongst other branches, do not allow role of President to become too powerful Political Parties Washington very against Political Parties as he thought they would divide the nation How well have we stayed true to Washington s suggestions?
The Chief of State The President is seen symbolically as the leader of the country Represents the US at various events, fundraisers, funerals, dinners, award ceremonies both in US and abroad Is expected to respond to national crisis and other major events Unique role, many countries separate this role from that of the actual powers of a president
Chief Executive The President oversees the 4 million strong executive branch Directly responsible for selecting his/her group of advisors, the cabinet The President s closest group of advisors is nicknamed the Kitchen Cabinet Typically the Cabinet members also serve as the head of an executive department Responsible for selecting an additional 2,000 agency heads, federal judges, and other government positions (with approval of senate) Executive Agencies work to enforce federal laws and help set federal policy The President works closely with their White House staff, and is able to decide how to structure and organize their staff hierarchies and structures Mass reorganization of the Executive Branch must be done by Congress unless they grant special approval to the President to do so
Major Departments The Department of State oversees foreign affairs, works with President in diplomacy All embassies across the world are a part of the Department of State The Department of the Treasury manages all aspects of the country s finances and revenue this is the department that prints federal money IRS collects taxes and enforces tax laws The Department of Defense manages the Military (Pentagon is headquarters) The Department of Justice investigates and prosecutes federal law The FBI is an organization that are part of the Dept. of Justice The Federal Bureau of Prisons is another part of the Dept. of Justice
Executive Departments and Federal Agencies Many Executive Departments oversee sub-organizations called agencies, bureaus, offices, or divisions that carry out a specific task or service of the Department some examples include: Department of the Agriculture Farm Service Agency, US Forest Service Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Department of Veteran s Affairs Veteran s Benefits Administration, Veteran s Health Administration Department of Homeland Security US Coast Guard, US Customs/Border Patrol, Secret Service Department of Health/Human Services Food/Drug Administration (FDA) Department of the Interior National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs There are a total of 15 executive Departments with hundreds of agencies under them Some previous executive departments in US History include Department of War, Department of the Post Office, Department of the Air Force, and more.. REMEMBER Congress creates or reorganizes Executive Departments by an act of law The President decides who runs these departments
Chief Legislator The President must work with Congress to sign bills into laws A Congress made up of a majority of people in the same party as the President helps the President to more easily pass legislation To pass a law, the President needs the support of Congress in several ways President cannot propose bills to Congress on their own, must be proposed by a member of Congress President can veto bills to prevent them from becoming a law, but Congress can override the Veto with a 2/3rds vote (this is very rare) The President has not been allowed to use a line item veto that is to choose not to sign off on some parts of a bill (most governors hold the power to do this)
Executive Orders An executive order is basically an order for the executive departments to follow or use their resources a certain way Considered an executive action in the US Constitution (Article 2) Can be very Controversial Considered an order for the executive branch to follow in its business President walks a fine line as Executive Orders can seem like a law Executive Orders are subject to Judicial Review in the same way a law is William Henry Harrison is the only President to never issue an Executive Order Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the most with 3,522 Executive Orders
Types of Executive Orders Executive Order Much like a Congressional Law, this is made public and published in the federal register Typically direct members of the Executive Branch to follow a new policy, procedure, or directive Presidential Memoranda Not required to be published Delegate tasks to Executive Branch Departments or members that Congress has already assigned to the Executive Branch Proclamation Typically more ceremonial observances of federal holidays or awareness months Emancipation Proclamation probably the most famous
3 Ways to Challenge an Executive Order Judicial Review An Executive Order can be challenged for its Constitutionality in the same way a law can Remember any Federal Court has the power of Judicial Review, although Supreme Court has the final say Congressional Law Congress can pass a law that nullifies a current Executive Order, although it will likely need a 2/3rds majority to overcome a likely veto by the President Subsequent Executive Order that nullifies the current one Typically this is done by a future President who disagrees or wishes to change a previous Executive Order
Recent Controversy Trump Immigration Executive Order Trump issues an executive order that ordered Homeland Security to change procedure for allowing foreign persons into the country based on the country they are from This Executive order is challenged by ACLU Lawyers representing people affected by the order Federal Judge (in NY) issues an emergency injunction based on possible Constitutional issues with the ban The ruling was appealed by the Trump Administration, was recently heard in the Supreme Court Trump Executive Orders Trump Executive Orders Article about legal challenges
Chief Diplomat The President oversees the Department of State and is given almost exclusive power in determining foreign policy A Treaty is a written agreement with a foreign country Any treaty signed by the President must be approved by the Senate with a 2/3rds vote Department of State addresses foreign matters, including: Foreign Diplomacy negotiating with foreign nations on different matters Protecting US Citizens abroad issues passports and will help US citizens abroad with problems Exchange Programs various programs to study and visit abroad (Fulbright Program for example) President is responsible for appointing ambassadors (confirmed by senate) to serve at embassies in different countries throughout the world
US Embassies US embassies are the center of communication between the US and the foreign country where they are at Assist in negotiating treaties and deals with foreign countries Protect US citizens abroad and assist them with different types of emergencies and situations, such as being arrested abroad Help international journalists to connect with foreign governments Promote the United States to foreign countries and people Interview foreign people seeking residence in the US, issue Visas A Visa is an official permit to live in the US either permanently or temporarily for different reasons (to work, to attend a school/college, travel, etc.)
Commander In Chief The President is the executive commander of the United States Military Secretary of Defense cabinet position that oversees the Military and advises President Joint Chiefs of Staff members appointed by President with senate approval Include a chairperson, assistant chairperson, and a representative from each military branch Military Power is split with Congress but isn t fully defined by the Constitution President commands military but Congress funds the military and declares war Overall President power over the military has increased over the course of US History Access to Nuclear Codes President is the final decision maker on whether or not to launch a Nuclear attack
Chief Economist This is NOT a Constitutional role of the President, but it has evolved into an unofficial one Many Presidents have been involved in the economy in some way Theodore Roosevelt involved in the Anthracite Coal Strikes of 1904 FDR cemented the President s role in the economy with his actions during the Great Depression President now expected to engage and support the economy through government measures when necessary Obama Bank and Auto Company Bail Outs in 2008 looking at market impact
Chief of the Party The Presidential role is generally considered the highest level of politics in the US The President is therefore considered the symbolic leader of their Political Party The President will generally support candidates from their own political party at rallies The President will try and get their fellow party members elected into Congress The more members of the same party in the Congress, the better a chance the President has to get more done with more cooperation The President may also assist their Political Party at fundraisers, dinners, and other events The expenses incurred during political party related trips or events must be covered by the President or the Political Party directly
How Powerful is the President? Major Questions for YOU about the Presidency How powerful is the President of the United States? What role of the President do you think is the most significant or important? What roles or powers do you think the President shouldn t have? What Executive Departments do you think are most important? What departments do you think we could do without? What are your thoughts on executive orders? Do they make the President too powerful? How has the role of the President evolved over the years? Do you feel our election process is appropriate for the President or should it be changed? Do you agree with Washington s precedents and farewell address or disagree? Why?
The Presidency Fun Facts The White House Situation Room Air Force One Tour
The Presidential Line of Succession What happens if the President is no longer able to serve?.. In today s age it is critical to have an organized system of succession which is what Congress has drafted through this legislation.