United States Senate

Chapter 6: The Presidency as an Institution The dual nature of the presidency refers to how the power and role of the president is always changing. On one hand, the president has specific powers laid out in the constitution. On the other hand, the president loses some powers, gains others, and has his role changing. The president has always had the power to make treaties, grant pardons, and nominate the judiciary as well as other public officials. Over time presidents have been able to increase their power by taking control during war or another time of crisis. No the American president is not too powerful. Whenever any president attempts to make a grab for too much power, congress or the Supreme Court can shoot him down. This prevents any president from becoming too powerful.