The document discusses the powers and roles of the President of the United States. It outlines that the President has powers listed in Article II, including enforcing laws and appointing cabinet members and judges with Senate approval. The President serves as the head of state, chief executive, chief administrator, chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief legislator, head of their political party, and chief citizen. Some of the President's key powers include vetoing bills, negotiating treaties, commanding the military, and proposing legislation. However, Congress can override vetoes and is not obligated to pass the President's proposals.

1. The Executive Branch
AP Government

2. Discussion point:
List the five most important qualities of an effective
president.

3. The
Executive
Branch
•Powers listed in Article
II (what are they?)
•Main duty: Enforce
Laws
•Includes:
The President
Vice-President
President’s
Cabinet

4. Qualifications
To be the President or
Vice President:
• At least 35 years of
age
• Born in the U.S.
• Resident for 14 years

5. Terms
• 22nd
Amendment:
-Limits the
President to two
terms or 10 years
(What??? I
thought 4 + 4 = 8?)

6. Salary &
Benefits
 $400,000 per year
 $50,000 a year allowance
 Lives in the White House (132 rooms, 18.3
acres)
 Air Force One
 Plus other benefits (staff, power, expense
accounts)

7. Powers & Limitations
of the President
ROLE: CHIEF OF STATE
1. Ceremonial head of the U.S.
government & people
2. KIND OF like a king or queen

8. Powers & Limitations
of the President
ROLE: CHIEF EXECUTIVE
1. enforces federal
law, treaties, court decisions
2. Executive orders
3. Appoints cabinet
members, commissions, federal
judges
 Senate approval needed for
appointments, except for recess
appointments

9. Powers & Limitations of the
President
ROLE: CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
1. Employs more than 2.7
million civilians.
2. Spends more than 2.5
trillion dollars a year.

10. Powers & Limitations
of the President
ROLE: CHIEF DIPLOMAT
1. general charge of foreign policy
2. appoints ambassadors
3. executive agreements
4. negotiates treaties
5. recognition of foreign governments
A. Senate must approve appointments
B. Senate must approve treaties (2/3
vote)

11. Powers & Limitations
of the President
ROLE: COMMANDER IN CHIEF
1. civilian authority over the military
(1.4 million)
A. Congress declares war
B. War Powers Resolution
(passed 1974 in response to
Vietnam)
 President can deploy troops for 60
days; needs to inform Congress
within 48 hours
 Longer than 60? Congressional
approval needed
 Otherwise, troops must come
home

12. Powers & Limitations
of the President
ROLE: CHIEF LEGISLATOR
1. Veto; pocket veto
2. outlines legislative proposals (ex.
The Federal Budget)
3. calls special sessions of
Congress; State of the Union
address
A. 2/3- both houses of Congress can
override a veto
B. Congress is not obligated to
pass the president’s proposals

13. Powers & Limitations
of the President
ROLE: HEAD OF POLITICAL
PARTY
1. Political patronage
A. Face of the party
B. Party tied to success or
failure of the President

14. Powers & Limitations
of the President
ROLE: CHIEF CITIZEN
1. “the Representative of all the
people”
2. Certain moral obligations

15. Other Items to
Know
 Executive agreements (article reading)
 Is the President making laws without Congressional
approval?
 Pardoning power (pardon, commuting
sentences)
 Executive privilege (withhold information—is
this good?)
 Impoundment
 Line-item veto
 Signing statements