1. Article II : The Executive Branch
The Constitution
Article II : The Executive Branch

2. The Executive Branch

3. Qualifications
Must be 35+ years old Must be born in the USA Resident of U.S. for 14+ years Elected to 4 year term

4. The Executive Branch Executive Branch ENFORCES law
Closest advisors to the president are called his Cabinet
Department of…
State  Agriculture  Transportation
Treasury  Commerce  Education
Defense  Labor  Veterans Affairs
Justice  Energy  Homeland Security
Interior  Health & Human Services
Housing & Urban Development

5. Presidential Succession
If president can no longer serve…
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore
Secretary of State

6. Presidential Elections
Can only be elected twice (22nd Amendment)
4-year terms
10 total years if, AND ONLY IF, Vice President takes over for president and serves less than 2 years of last president’s term
NOT elected directly by American people
Rather, is elected by the Electoral College

7. The Electoral College
Must win majority of electoral votes to win the presidency
538 delegates * 50% = 269
= “270 to win”
What if no one gets 270?
House of Representatives decides who next president is

8. Rights & Responsibilities
President appoints ambassadors, federal judges, and Supreme Court justices
Can refuse to testify before a court claiming executive privilege
Not absolute: Supreme Court can force testimony

9. Rights & Responsibilities
Is commander-in-chief of armed forces
He/She alone makes treaties w/ foreign nations
Must be approved by 2/3 of Senate
Gives annual “State of Union” address

10. Size of Executive Branch
BY FARRRR largest branch of gov’t
Legislative = 535 (435 in House in Senate)
Judicial = 687 (9 on SCOTUS + 678? federal judges)
Executive = MILLIONS!