US President: Powers, Election, and Succession
Article II: The Executive Branch and the Presidency
Article II of the Constitution outlines the executive branch of the federal government and the presidency, including roles and qualifications.
Presidential Roles
- Chief Executive: Executes the nation’s laws.
- Chief Administrator: Head of government policies.
- Commander in Chief: Commands the nation’s military.
- Foreign Policy Leader: Develops plans with other countries.
- Chief Agenda Setter: Sets the nation’s agenda, presenting an annual plan.
Constitutional Qualifications
- At least 35 years old.
- Natural-born citizen.
- U.S. resident for at least 14 years.
Term Limits
Two terms, as defined by the 22nd Amendment, with a maximum of 10 years.
Election Process
Candidate names appear on ballots, but voters are actually voting for their party’s electors in their state. States are granted a number of electors equal to the number of its members in the House and Senate. There are 538 electors in total, and a candidate needs 270 to win.
Winner-Take-All System: The candidate who wins the popular vote in a state wins all of that state’s electoral votes. In December, electors meet in D.C. to cast official votes.
Issues with the Electoral College
(Content regarding specific issues with the Electoral College was not provided in the original text but would typically be included here.)
Presidential Succession
The 25th Amendment dictates that the Vice President becomes President if there is a vacancy. If there is a Vice President vacancy, the President nominates a replacement, subject to Congressional approval.
Succession Act of 1947: Applies if there are vacancies in both the Presidency and Vice Presidency. The order of succession is:
- Speaker of the House
- President Pro Tempore of the Senate
- Secretary of the Cabinet
Salary and Benefits
- $400,000 annual salary.
- Secret Service protection.
- Travel allowances.
- Tax deductions on residencies.
- Health and retirement benefits.
Typical Presidential Backgrounds
- Historically, white, male, and Christian.
- Military and/or political experience.
- Likable and an effective communicator.
- Able to get along with people.
Presidential Powers
Appointment Power: The distribution of representatives among the states is based on the population of each state.
Executive Orders: Formal rules or regulations instructing executive branch officials on how to carry out their jobs. These have the force of law. This power is not explicitly granted in the Constitution.
Executive Privilege: Allows the President to refuse to release information to Congress or a court. This is meant to shield information vital to national security. This power is not explicitly granted in the Constitution.
Diplomatic Recognition: The power to formally recognize the legitimacy of a foreign government.
Reprieve: Postpones the carrying out of a sentence.
Pardon: Releases a convicted criminal from having to fulfill a sentence.
Amnesty: Grants a group of offenders a general pardon for offenses committed.
Commute: Reduces a person’s sentence.
Presidential Administration
Administration: The people who work for the executive branch.
Executive Office of the President (EOP): All of the top administrative officials of the President’s administration.
White House Office: The President’s key personal and political staff. They do not need Senate confirmation.
Chief of Staff: Manages the day-to-day operations of the White House Office and directs the President’s personal secretary and legal counsel.
National Security Council (NSC): Top military, foreign affairs, and intelligence officials who coordinate the nation’s national security policy.
Council of Economic Advisers (CEA): Provides the President with expert economic advice.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Develops the federal budget and oversees its execution by executive branch agencies.