IV.                    The Powers of the President

1.         Only the president of the United States can:

                                                                i.      Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces

                                                               ii.      Commission officers of the armed forces

                                                              iii.      Grant reprieves and pardons for all federal offenses except impeachment

                                                              iv.      Convene Congress in special sessions

                                                               v.      Receive ambassadors

                                                              vi.      Take care that the laws be faithfully executed

                                                             vii.      Wield “executive power”

                                                            viii.      Appoint officials to lesser offices

2.         The president AND the Senate can make treaties and appoint ambassadors, judges, and high officials

3.         The president and all of Congress can approve legislation.

4.         The president’s power didn’t seem that impressive initially, but over the decades, it has come to encompass not only military powers but also management of the economy and direction of foreign affairs.

                                                                i.      The president has often used the phrase “take care that the laws be faithfully executed” and taken it very elastically, thus using it broadly to do what he wants (i.e. sending federal troops to break strikes or let Blacks enter public schools).

                                                               ii.      The public also often looks to the president first during times of national crisis.

<< Prev - Next >>