THE MACHINE
SIX MAIN ROLES OF THE EXEC BRANCH
1. The Nation's chief executive and chief of state
- answers to all domestic affairs
- for more see "Domestic Powers"
2. Enforces federal laws
- limited in this role
- influences law enforcement by appointing Justices
- may grant pardons and reprieves
-"He shall have Power to
grant Reprieves and Pardons for offences against the United
States, except in Cases of Impeachment."
3. Appoints and can remove high federal officials and U.S. diplomats
- appoints a cabinet
-"When called into the
actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion,
in writing, of
the principal Officer in each of the executive departments, upon
any Subject relating to the Duties of their
respective Offices."
- undeclared offices
-"He shall appoint
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the
supreme Court, and all other Officers of
the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise
provided for, and which shall be established by
Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such
inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the
President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of
Departments."
4. Commands the armed forces
-"The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the States."
- treaties, declaration and escaltaion of war must go through Congress
5. Conducts foreign affairs
- chief diplomat
- little outline for this in the Constitution
6. Indirect Leader of Congress
"He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."
- may recommend legislation
- signs legislation passed/vetos legislation
- may call congess into session
- "He may, on extraordinary
Occasions,
convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of
Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of
Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think
proper."
- granting commissions
"The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session."