1. Chapter 9: The Executive Branch
American Government
Mrs. Rickard

2. Section 1: The Roles of the President

3. OBJECTIVES
Explain how the Constitution limits the power of the president.
Describe the president’s role as head of the executive branch.
Summarize the president’s role in military affairs and foreign policy.
Explain how the president influences the legislative and judicial branches.
Identify presidential roles created by tradition.

4. The Office of President
Term
4 years
Run for re-election
Limited to 2 terms
22nd Amendment
Salary determined by Congress
$400,000

5. Qualifications 35 years old Natural-born citizen of the U.S.
Meaning?
Lived in the U.S. for 14 years
End all 9th 5/12

6. Limited Power Separation of powers Checks and balances
President enforces/carries out laws
Congress makes laws
S.C. interprets laws
Checks and balances
Presidential decisions approved by Congress
Congress may remove president
S.C. decides constitutionality
End Pres. Decisions 3rd 4/25

7. Roles of the President
Framers wanted leader to carry out laws, represent nation
New concept!
World of monarchs
Defined by Washington and successors
7 total roles

8. Faithful execution of laws
1. Chief Executive
Faithful execution of laws
Executive orders
Example: Truman’s order to desegregate military
Cannot violate Constitution or laws
Appoints 4,000 executive branch officials
Confirmed by Congress
End violate 3rd 4/26

9. 2. Commander in Chief Leader of Armed Forces
Send troops to foreign country w/o war declaration
War Powers Resolution (1973)
Congressional approval
Iraq Resolution (2002)
End Power 9th 5/14

10. 3. Chief Diplomat Most important rep. of the U.S. with other nations
Foreign policy
Treaties
Can be rejected by Senate
Appointment of ambassadors
Approved by Senate
Executive agreements
No Senate approval
Example: aid to another country
End policy 3rd and 6th 4/27

11. 4. Legislative Leader Influence over laws State of the Union address
Foreign policy
Domestic policy
Meets with Congress, interest groups
Veto power
Budget
Approved by Congress
Special sessions of Congress
End all 3rd 4/28, end budget 6th 4/28

12. 5. Judicial Powers Nominates S.C. justices, federal judges
Confirmed by Senate
Reduce punishments for federal convictions
Pardons
End all 3rd 4/29; end pardons 6th 4/29

13. Traditional Roles Not in Constitution 6. Party leader
Highest elected official
Influences party goals, candidates
7. Chief of State
Speaks for the nation
Expresses values, goals of Americans
Ceremonial duties
End all 3rd 5/3

14. Section 2: Organization of the Executive Branch

15. OBJECTIVES Define the role of the Executive Office.
Explain the duties of the Vice President.
Explain the importance of executive departments.
Describe some of the major independent agencies.
Explain the need for the civil service system.
Explore the process of carrying out the law.

16. Growing Bureaucracy
Organization of government departments, agencies, and offices
President appoints administration
~2,000 members
Executive Office of the President
Executive departments
Independent agencies

17. Executive Office of the President
Advises president
White House staff
V.P.
Special Advisory Groups

18. Inner circle of advisors, assistants
White House Staff
Inner circle of advisors, assistants
Chief of staff, press secretaries, legal experts, speechwriters, office workers, researchers
Give advice, info
Appointed by president
No Senate approval

19. One duty in Constitution: President decides what VP will do
Vice President
One duty in Constitution:
Preside over Senate
President decides what VP will do
Becomes president if president dies
“Acting president” if president seriously ill
Qualifications same as president
End pres. Decides 3rd 5/4

20. Special Advisory Groups
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Decides cost
Prepares budget
National Security Council (NSC)
Helps w/foreign policy
National defense
Office of Homeland Security
2001, President Bush, 9/11
Protect from terrorism
Works w/CIA, FBI, Coast Guard, and FAA
End all 6th 5/5

21. Executive Departments
Carry out laws, run government programs
Leadership
Appointed by president
Confirmed by Senate
Dept. of Justice: Attorney General- Eric Holder
All others secretaries (Sec. of State, Sec. of the Treasury)
Form Cabinet
End all 3rd 5/23
End other 9th 5/23

22. Independent Agencies Executive agencies Regulatory commissions
Directly controlled by President
NASA, EPA
Regulatory commissions
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-rules for radio, TV
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)- safety standards
President chooses board members
Government corporations
Like private businesses, try to make profit
Provide public services too risky or expensive
United States Postal Service
End all 3rd 5/6

23. President chooses less than 1% of executive branch
Civil Service System
President chooses less than 1% of executive branch
Civil service system
Congress, 1883
Merit , test scores
End all 3rd and 9th 5/28

24. Section 3: Presidents and Power

25. OBJECTIVES
Describe some ways in which Presidents are able to act on their own.
Summarize advantages and disadvantages of the power of President to act on their own.
Analyze some examples of the use of presidential power.

26. May talk to other countries w/o Congressional approval
Freedom to Take Action
May talk to other countries w/o Congressional approval
Executive agreements
No Senate approval
Executive privilege

27. When should President’s powers be limited?
Balancing Power
When should President’s powers be limited?
Acting quickly in a crisis
Taking opportunity that might be lost while waiting on Congress to agree

28. Jefferson and the LA Purchase
Opportunity to buy LA Territory from France
Not mentioned by Const.
Not enough time to wait for amendment
Sec. of State Madison
Power to make treaties
Right to buy LA
Jefferson purchased, Congress approved

29. Truman and the Steel Mills
Steelworkers threatened strike during Korean War
Owners refused to meet demands
Executive order put Sec. of Commerce in control of the mills
Protecting American troops
S.C. ruled unconstitutional
Pres. can’t take private property
End all 9th 5/29

30. Nixon and Watergate
Nixon accused of covering up break-in at DNC HQ in Watergate building
Campaign info
Nixon refused to release tapes
Executive privilege
S.C. ordered Nixon to turn over tapes
Executive privilege limited
House impeachment
Resigned before vote was taken
“I am not a crook.”