Article II of the Article II of the U.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch

What is the purpose of theWhat is the purpose of theExecutive Branch?Executive Branch?

To enforce the laws that To enforce the laws that

the Legislative Branchthe Legislative Branch

has created.has created.

Who is in charge of the Who is in charge of the Executive Branch?Executive Branch?

Who else makes up the Who else makes up the Executive Branch? Executive Branch?

(Keep in mind, this is only a small sample of how big this branch (Keep in mind, this is only a small sample of how big this branch

reallyreally is.is.The President is in charge of all of these different groups)The President is in charge of all of these different groups)

President

Secretary of State Attorney GeneralSecretary ofThe Treasury

Vice-President White House Staff

Secretary of War(Dept. of Defense)

FBI DEAINS ATF Secret Service

Who can become President?Who can become President?

What you must be.What you must be.

• The President must be The President must be a natural born citizen.a natural born citizen.

• Must have lived in the Must have lived in the U.S. for 14 years U.S. for 14 years (although they do not (although they do not have to be have to be consecutive).consecutive).

• Must be at least 35 yrs. Must be at least 35 yrs. old.old.

• There are no There are no limitations to a person limitations to a person based on …based on …

• RaceRace

• GenderGender

• ReligionReligion

• ExperienceExperience

How long can a President How long can a President serve in office?serve in office?

• The President serves a four year term in office.The President serves a four year term in office.• Originally, the Constitution did not specify how Originally, the Constitution did not specify how

many terms a President can serve. many terms a President can serve. • Traditionally, everyone followed Washington’s Traditionally, everyone followed Washington’s

precedent of only serving two terms.precedent of only serving two terms.• FDR broke the tradition and ran for four terms.FDR broke the tradition and ran for four terms.• After FDR, the Congress passed the 22After FDR, the Congress passed the 22ndnd

Amendment, stating that no President may Amendment, stating that no President may serve more than two terms in office.serve more than two terms in office.

What is the compensation for a What is the compensation for a job well done?job well done?

• $400,000/ yr. salary, $400,000/ yr. salary, not including other not including other expense accounts.expense accounts.

• Secured transportation Secured transportation including Air Force One, including Air Force One, helicopters, limos, etc.helicopters, limos, etc.

• Free medical and Free medical and dental benefits.dental benefits.

• White House to live in.White House to live in.• Lifetime pension of Lifetime pension of

$148,400/ yr. + $148,400/ yr. + expenses.expenses.

What does the President What does the President do?do?

• The President is the The President is the Commander-In-ChiefCommander-In-Chief of the U.S. Military, of the U.S. Military, even though he is a even though he is a civilian.civilian.

• Even though the Even though the President makes most President makes most of the military of the military decisions, Congress decisions, Congress controls the military controls the military budget.budget.

What else can he/she do What else can he/she do besides blow things up?besides blow things up?

• The President serves as The President serves as a negotiator for the a negotiator for the United States using his United States using his diplomatic powersdiplomatic powers. .

• He/She can negotiate He/She can negotiate with foreign nations to with foreign nations to create treaties, which create treaties, which are the same as a law.are the same as a law.

• The Senate must The Senate must approve all executive approve all executive treaties.treaties.

Can the President do anything Can the President do anything else besides blow things up or else besides blow things up or

put things together?put things together?• The President has The President has

Executive powersExecutive powers..

• These powers allow These powers allow him to appoint cabinet him to appoint cabinet secretaries, foreign secretaries, foreign ambassadors, and ambassadors, and Supreme Court Supreme Court Justices.Justices.

• It also allows him/her It also allows him/her to pardon criminals.to pardon criminals.

Is that all?Is that all?

• The President has power The President has power over Congress as well. It over Congress as well. It is called the is called the Legislative Legislative PowersPowers..

• The President has the The President has the ability to call Congress ability to call Congress into a special session. into a special session. This is done every year at This is done every year at the State of the Union the State of the Union address.address.

• The President may also The President may also veto a bill from Congress veto a bill from Congress if he/she does not agree if he/she does not agree with it.with it.

Odds and Ends – The Odds and Ends – The Evolutionary PowersEvolutionary Powers

• The President creates The President creates the “budget” and gives the “budget” and gives the U.S. a direction each the U.S. a direction each year in the State of the year in the State of the Union address.Union address.

• The President claims The President claims “executive privilege” “executive privilege” which means that he which means that he does not have to does not have to disclose his personal disclose his personal business to anyone.business to anyone.

• The President can The President can persuade people at any persuade people at any time through the media.time through the media.