Powers and Roles of the President The Executive Branch Powers and Roles of the President

Legislative Leader Constitution requires the president to deliver several messages to Congress each year State of the Union- televised speech every January that sets forth the programs, policies the president wants Congress to put into place Address the country’s most pressing concerns

Legislative Leader President also sends Congress an economic message How the govt. should raise and spend money Reviews current economic situation, recommends the appropriate laws and programs to help the economy President’s power to veto discourages Congress from passing a bill the president does not like Hard to override vetoed bills

Commander in Chief President is head of the U.S. armed forces All military officers, in time of war and peace, ultimately answer to the president President does not actually lead forces into battle Stays in contact with military leaders, decides how wars will be fought

Commander in Chief Only Congress can declare war, but President can send troops wherever there is danger Even without a declaration of war War Powers Act (1973)- limits the president’s military power Troops can only be on the ground 60 days without Congressional approval

Foreign Policy Leader Foreign policy- a government’s plan for interacting with other countries of the world President must secure friendly relations while preserving national security Meets with leaders and representatives of other countries Also appoints officials to represent the U.S. in other countries

Foreign Policy Leader Diplomacy- the art of interacting with foreign governments President is the chief diplomat of the U.S. Regularly meets/corresponds with leaders of foreign governments Treaties- written agreements with other countries President assumes final responsibility for treaties made with other countries Senate must approve a treaty, but president is responsible for carrying it out

Judicial Powers Constitution gives the president the power to appoint Supreme Court Judges Judicial appointments must be approved by a majority in the Senate Republican-led Congress refused to hear Obama’s appointment for over a year, so we only had 8 Supreme Court justices Trump has nominated Neil Gorsuch

Judicial powers Reprieves- postpones the carrying out of a person’s sentence Gives that person more time to gather evidence or appeal for a new trial Pardons- forgives a person who was convicted of a crime, frees him/her from their sentence Commutation- make a convicted person’s sentence less severe

Presidential Daily Life Must always be in touch with key govt. officials Never far away from a phone or computer Many hours of the day are spent in meetings with different advisers, members of Congress, and party officials President also meets regularly with members of his cabinet

Presidential Daily Life Speeches, radio and television appearances to connect directly to the public Press conferences to explain and discuss government procedures and actions Deal with bills in Congress, examine budgets, stay informed and reach decisions on foreign policy and national defense