The Roles of President
Key Terms
Executive Branch
Foreign Policy
Ambassadors
Executive Agreement
Domestic Policy
The President is the highest elected official
Represents all Americans
Executive Branch- the branch of
government responsible for executing or
carrying out the law
Most important duty is to set goals for the
nation and develop policies
This office is heavy with responsibility
Most powerful office in the world
Power limited by the Constitution
Creating the Office of President
Framers did not want a leader with unlimited
powers
Gave few specific powers to the President
Term of office
One limit is the term of office
President elected for 4 years
Limited to two terms
No President can hold office for more than two
terms
Limited Power
President cannot make laws only carry them out
Supreme Court has the power to decide if the law
is constitutional
Congress must approve many Presidential
decisions
Congress may remove the President from office
Qualifications and salary
Must be 35 years old
Natural born citizen in the United States
Anyone serving as president must live in the
United States for 14 years
President’s salary is set by Congress
Leader with many roles
Framers wanted a leader for the nation to carry
out laws and represent the country
Framers did not describe exactly how the
President should fill his role
Office of President was new in a world of
Monarchs
Chief Executive
Head of the executive branch
“take care that the laws be faithfully executed”
Congress makes the laws, President carries them
out
President can make an executive order as long as
it does not violate the Constitution or laws of
Congress
President broadcasts the decisions
President can appoint over 4,000 officials
Commander in Chief
Constitution says the President will be the
Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy
Wanted President to maintain civilian
authority over the military
President may send troops to foreign lands to
protect American interests
Wars Powers Act states troops cannot
remain after 60 days unless approved by
Congress
President’s decisions can alter the lives of
other nations
President’s decision to drop the atomic bomb
Harry Truman
Chief diplomat
Foreign policy-set of plans for guiding our
nation’s relationships with other countries
President Truman said “I make foreign policy”
President can make treaties
Senate can reject or accept
Ambassadors- are the official
representatives to foreign governments
Executive agreements- agreements with
other countries that do not need Senate
approval
Legislative leader
Congress makes the laws
President has a lot of influence on what laws are
enforced
Each year the President gives a speech to
both House (State of the Union)
Sets foreign policy
Set domestic policy-a set of plans dealing with
the nations problems
President persuades Congress by
Gets members to write bills
Call or meet with members
Speeches to interest groups
Threat of veto
Congress has only overridden 4 percent of 2,500
vetoes
Another way is the President makes a budget
Putting policy into action costs money
Consults with his advisers
A plan on how to raise and spend money
Congress does not pass all the laws the
President requests
President can call a special session of
Congress if it is not meeting
Judicial Powers
Part of the checks and balances
Chooses Supreme Court Justices and othe
federal judges
Power is balanced by the need for Senate
approval
President can limit power of judicial branch by
reducing punishment or pardoning someone
convicted in federal court
Roles created by tradition
Party leader
Chief of state
President is a member of a political party
Highest elected official
Uses their prestige to support the party
Gives speeches and raises money during election
years
Chief of State
Expected to speak for the whole nation
Express the values and goals of the American
people
Carries out ceremonial duties
Greets visiting leaders
Give medals to citizens
Stands for national unity
Symbol of the United States