EXECUTIVE BRANCHPOWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE POWERS

FAITHFULLY EXECUTE

Faithfully execute the laws. The Ordinance Power

Executive Orders (an order given by the president that has the power of a law)

CHECKS & BALANCES? The Supreme Court can use Judicial

Review to decide whether the president’s orders are constitutional.

APPOINTMENT

Appoint cabinet members (ex. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton)

Appoint federal judges and Supreme Court Justices. (ex. Obama appointed Elena Kagan)

Appoint ambassadors

CHECKS & BALANCES? They all have to be confirmed by the

Senate

Supreme Court

EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE The president can choose to not answer

questions in a Congressional hearing if he believes it would risk national security.

United States v. Nixon Nixon tried not to answer questions to

protect himself. Congress denied him Executive Privilege

and said only in matters of national security.

CHECKS & BALANCES Congress holds the hearings and can deny

executive privilege

DIPLOMATIC POWERS

FOREIGN POLICY Treaty – a formal agreement

between 2 or more countries Executive Agreement – an informal

agreement between two leaders Recognition – the ability to recognize

the sovereignty of a country.

CHECKS & BALANCES Treaties are confirmed by the Senate. Executive Agreements are not

MILITARY POWERS

COMMANDER IN CHIEF Military Policy – created by the President

and the Joint Chiefs (heads of the military branches)

Non-violent intervention – the president can send troops anywhere at any time in his own discretion. He especially does this for countries who have suffered earthquakes, etc.

War Powers Resolution – the president can send troops into conflict for 60 days then needs Congressional approval to stay and declare war.

LEGISLATIVE POWERS

LEGISLATIVE POWERS

Informal proposal of laws (Congress formally proposes all laws)

Final step to law: Sign (becomes law) Veto (does not become law, unless

Congress issues an Override of 2/3) 10+ days (lets it sit for 10 days it becomes

law) -10 days – Pocket Veto (lets it sit, but

Congress ends before 10 days is up it automatically dies)

JUDICIAL POWERS

CLEMENCY POWERS

Pardon – removal of punishment Reprieve – postponement of

punishment Commutation – reduce the

punishment Amnesty – group pardon