Powers of the President: Types of Presidential Power

The powers of the President are primarily defined in Article II of the United States Constitution. This
article outlines the executive branch of the government, which is headed by the President, and covers
the various powers and duties they are charged with. The most important source of the president’s
powers, therefore, is the US Constitution.

While the Constitution is the original and most fundamental source of Presidential power, there are
different types of power that can be broadly categorized as follows:

• Executive Powers: The President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws
created by Congress. They have the authority to appoint, remove, and supervise all executive officers
and to appoint all federal judicial officers, including Supreme Court Justices, subject to Senate
confirmation. Executive orders are rules and regulations which the president can issue unilaterally, i.e.
without the oversight of Congress.

• Legislative Powers: The President has the power to sign or veto legislation passed by Congress. They
also have the responsibility to periodically inform Congress about the “State of the Union” and
recommend necessary and expedient measures.

• Diplomatic Powers: The President is the chief diplomat of the United States. They can make treaties
with other nations, subject to the approval of the Senate. They also have the power to recognize
foreign governments and receive foreign diplomats. The President is responsible for, and has power
over, all foreign relations. He appoints ambassadors to represent the US abroad and is responsible for
the relations with foreign ambassadors to the US. Of course, the President often meets other heads of
state for diplomatic reasons.

• Military Powers: As the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces, the President has
the authority to command the military. They can make key military decisions, but the power to declare
war lies with Congress.

• Judicial Powers: The President also has the power to appoint federal judges to the Courts of Appeals
on the federal circuits, and also to the US Supreme Court. While its purpose is to ensure checks and
balances on the judiciary, the politicization of the judiciary is very controversial. Federal judges do have
to be confirmed by the Senate but this step rarely fails, and so a president in reality has the power to
appoint judges who he knows will rule in line with his own political beliefs. The President has the
power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of
impeachment.

• Emergency Powers: In times of crisis or emergency, the President can assume additional powers.
These are not clearly defined in the Constitution but have been used to justify various actions in the
name of national security.

• Other Powers: The President also has powers that are implied or have been delegated by Congress,
such as issuing executive orders or proclamations, and the power to manage the federal budget. Other
specific powers outlined in the Constitution include:

• Serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces

• Granting pardons

• Appointing federal officers and judges

• Conducting foreign policy.

• Having a larger role in domestic policy, executive orders, and national emergencies.

The President’s powers have evolved over time and are subject to interpretations of the Constitution,
legislation, and precedent. Let’s find out more about what the powers of the President are and how
they differ from each other.

Election of president in USA

One Year Before the Elections

Candidates from the two main political parties the Democrats and the Republicans begin their
campaign trails. They set up their team and start “going on tour” around the country to rally for support
and to fundraise for their campaigns.

At the Start of the Campaigns

Candidates from both parties participate in televised debates. During the debates each candidate will
have to answer tough questions about their policies as well as defend their stance on issues and
policies against other candidates.

Step 1: Primaries and Caucuses

There are many people who want to be President, each with their own ideas about how the
government should work. People with similar ideas belong to the same political party. This is where
primaries and caucuses come in. Candidates from each political party campaign through the country
to win the favor of their party members.

Beginning in February the main voting events Primaries and Caucuses will lead to a selection of
delegates who will represent the people at the upcoming conventions. The main focus will be on the
results from Iowa New Hampshire Nevada and South Carolina which can usually determine who the
final presidential nominee for each party will be.

• In a Caucus

Party members select the best candidate through a series of discussions and votes.

• In a Primary

Party members vote for the best candidate that will represent them in the general election.

Step 2: National Conventions

Each party holds a national convention to select a final presidential nominee. State delegates from the
primaries and caucuses selected to represent the people will now “endorse” their favorite candidates
and the final presidential nominee from each party will be officially announced at the end of the
conventions. The presidential candidate also chooses a running mate (Vice Presidential candidate). The
presidential candidates campaign throughout the country to win the support of the general
population.

Step 3: General Election

People in every state across the country vote for one President and Vice President. When Americans
go to the polls in November they will select their favorite presidential candidate and their running
mate.

When people cast their vote, they are actually voting for a group of people called electors. Except in
the states of Maine and Nebraska, if a candidate receives the majority of the votes from the people of
a state then the candidate will receive all electoral votes of that state. The presidential nominee with
the most electoral votes becomes the President of the United States.

Step 4: Electoral College

The Electoral college is a process in which electors or representatives from each state in number
proportional to the state’s population cast their vote and determine who will be president.

Each state gets a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress. There are a total
of 538 electors selected according to each state’s policy. Each elector casts one vote following the
general election, and the candidate who gets more than half (270) wins.

The newly elected President and Vice President are inaugurated in January.