Front Lawn of the White House,

Washington D.C.

Presidential Coat of Arms

Presidential Seal

President Obama’s 2013 Inauguration

Video: President Obama’s Second Inauguration on January 21, 2013

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (currently John Roberts)

administers the oath to the president.

Presidents are sworn–in in front of the U.S. Capitol at 12:00 p.m.

(noon) on January 20th

.

With their right hand in the air, and their left hand on the Bible

(usually), the president repeats the following phrase:

The Presidential Oath

Photos from President Obama’s Second Inauguration – January 21, 2013

“I, _____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God.”

U.S. Capitol Building on Inauguration Day 2009 Chief Justice John Roberts administering the

oath to President Obama on January 20, 2009

President Obama delivers his inaugural speech

George W. Bush marches in the presidential

parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in 2005.

Roles of the President

The many “hats” of the President

A. Official Roles

1. Article II of the U.S. Constitution outlines

the executive branch and describes the

duties of the president.

2. Chief Executive – presidents are responsible for enforcing laws,

creating policies, hiring officials within the executive branch, and

appointing federal judges and Supreme Court justices.

I. Roles of the President

Dwight Eisenhower used his authority to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling in

Brown v. Board of Education and ensure school desegregation in the South.

Chief Executive

Dwight Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little Rock Central High School in

1957 to ensure that the school was desegregated peacefully.

A. Official Roles (continued)

3. Commander in Chief – presidents have the authority to direct the army

and navy of the United States and can mobilize troops for combat.

a. Congress holds the ability to declare war, but presidents are

able to send the military abroad without war being declared.

I. Roles of the President

(Left) Abraham Lincoln meets with Union General George McClelland in Antietam,

Maryland in 1862 several days after the bloodiest battle in American history.

(Right) Franklin D. Roosevelt salutes American forces in Western Morocco in 1943.

Commander in Chief

Harry Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan in August of 1945

was the biggest military decision that a president has ever had to make.

A. Official Roles (continued)

4. Foreign Policy Leader – presidents lead the interactions between the

United States and foreign countries.

a. Presidents take the lead in meeting with foreign leaders,

negotiating treaties, and guiding the direction of foreign policy.

I. Roles of the President

(Left) George W. Bush addresses the nation during the evening of 9/11.

(Right) Six weeks later, Bush signs the Patriot Act into law in order to

give the federal government greater powers to combat terrorism.

Chief Foreign Policy Leader

Woodrow Wilson meets with the leaders of France, Britain, and Italy in 1919

to begin negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations.

A. Official Roles (continued)

5. Chief Diplomat – presidents represent the United States by traveling

around the world or hosting foreign leaders in order to promote

diplomacy.

a. Diplomacy is the art of negotiating with foreign countries.

I. Roles of the President

John F. Kennedy gives his “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” Speech in Western Germany

in 1963 in an attempt to ease Soviet–American tensions following the

construction of the Berlin Wall.

Chief Diplomat

Richard Nixon along with his wife, Pat, becomes the first sitting American

president to visit China in 1972.

A. Official Roles (continued)

6. Chief Agenda Setter – presidents set

and prioritize the government’s agenda

(this is the government’s “to do” list).

a. Presidents promote their agendas

through the State of the Union Address.

b. The State of the Union Address:

i.) is mentioned in the Constitution.

ii.) is given every January (or February

of inauguration years).

iii.) allows the president to vocalize his

goals and agenda to Congress and

the American public.

I. Roles of the President

“He shall from time to time give to the

Congress information on the State of

the Union…..”

Obama’s 2009 Address

Obama’s 2014 Address

Chief Agenda Setter (Chief Legislator)

Theodore Roosevelt used his well–known “bully pulpit” in order to shape public

opinion and pressure Congress to pass legislation which he supported.

B. Unofficial Roles

1. Chief of State – presidents serve as a symbolic figurehead of the

United States.

a. He frequently hosts guests to the White House and may attend

funerals for foreign leaders, international sporting events, etc.

I. Roles of the President

(Left) President Obama hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers to the White House in May

2009 following their victory in Super Bowl XLIII. (Right) President Obama meets

with a Gymnastics Team following the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Chief of State

Barack Obama traveled to South Africa to attend the

funeral of Nelson Mandela in December of 2013.

B. Unofficial Roles (continued)

2. Official Party Leader – presidents are recognized as the official

leader of their political parties.

a. Once elected, presidents use their position in order to promote

their political party’s agenda and control the direction of

government.

I. Roles of the President

(Left) President Obama accepts the Democratic nomination for president at the

Democratic National Convention in 2008. (Right) George W. Bush and his wife,

Laura, greet supporters at the Republican National Convention in 2004.

Chief Party Leader

Barack Obama addresses the Democratic National Committee in 2011.

B. Unofficial Roles (continued)

3. Chief Citizen – presidents are seen as representatives for all

American citizens.

a. They should demonstrate honesty and integrity and are viewed

as role models for good citizenship and behavior.

I. Roles of the President

(Right) George W. Bush meets with former Mayor of New York Rudolph Guiliani

and Former Governor of New York George Pataki on September 14, 2001.

(Left) Bush recites the Pledge of Alliance with children during a July 4th

celebration.

Chief Citizen

Barack Obama bows to Japan’s Emperor Akihito and

Empress Michiko in Tokyo, Japan in November 2009.

The many “hats” of the President

Chief of State

President Bush throws the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals

baseball game

Chief Executive

President Lyndon Johnson nominates Thurgood Marshall to become

the first African American member of the Supreme Court in 1967

Chief Legislator (Chief Agenda Setter)

President Obama proposes a minimum wage increase

in his 2014 State of the Union Address

Commander in Chief

President George H.W. Bush visits American troops fighting in

the Persian Gulf War on Thanksgiving Day 1990

Chief of State

President Lyndon Johnson presents military serviceman with

Medals of Honor at a White House ceremony

Chief Executive

President Clinton holds a cabinet meeting in order to discuss

policies and programs affecting his presidency

Chief Legislator (or Chief Agenda Setter)

President Reagan signs a bill commemorating a federal holiday

in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Jr.

Chief Diplomat (or Foreign Policy Leader)

Jimmy Carter meets with the Egyptian President and Israeli Prime Minister at

Camp David in 1978 in order to promote peace in the Middle East.

Chief Diplomat (or Foreign Policy Leader)

President Obama meets with British Prime Minister David Cameron

to discuss a joint strategy to deal with ISIS

Commander in Chief

President Bush addresses members of the U.S. Armed Services

Presidential Backgrounds Military Law

Former Vice

Presidents

Washington Grant T. Roosevelt Eisenhower Lincoln Obama Taft F. Roosevelt

Former State

Governors

Former U.S. Senators

and Representatives

Clinton G. W. Bush

Carter Reagan

Ford G. H. W. Bush

Nixon L. Johnson Kennedy L. Johnson

Obama Ford

The American Presidency

A. Formal Qualifications

1. As established in Article II of the U.S.

Constitution, presidents must:

a. be at least 35 years old.

b. have lived in the country for 14 years.

c. be a natural–born U.S. citizen.

(must be a U.S. citizen at birth)

I. The Presidency and the Constitution

Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest person to be

sworn–in as president at the age of 42.

John F. Kennedy is the youngest person to be elected president.

He was 43 when he was inaugurated.

Ronald Reagan was the oldest person to serve as president. He left office in

January 1989 several weeks before his 78th

birthday.

I. The Presidency and the Constitution

B. Establishment of the Presidency

1. The presidency and executive branch are laid out in Article II of the

Constitution.

a. The Constitution’s description of the presidency is rather broad

and unspecific.

b. Many presidential powers have been developed through

precedent and tradition.

i.) Also, several constitutional amendments have been created

to alter or clarify the American presidency.

I. The Presidency and the Constitution

C. The 12th

Amendment (1804)

1. This amendment redesigned the Electoral College so that

presidential and vice presidential candidates ran for office together

on the same ticket.

a. This amendment was passed following a blunder during the

Presidential Election of 1800.

b. Thomas Jefferson was elected president and Aaron Burr was

elected vice president; however, both received 73 electors.

c. Eventually, Jefferson was elected president and Burr was

elected vice president.

Aaron Burr Thomas Jefferson

Results of the 2012 Election:

Prior to the 12th Amendment this would have been a

President Vice President

I. The Presidency and the Constitution

D. The 20th

Amendment (1933)

1. This amendment changed the dates which presidents and members

of Congress are sworn–in to office.

a. Presidents and vice presidents are now sworn–in at noon on

January 20th

rather than March 4th

.

b. Members of Congress are now sworn–in at noon on January 3rd

.

2. This decreases the “lame duck” period which occurs between the

November election and the new officials being sworn–in.

FDR was the last president to be sworn–in on March 4th

.

I. The Presidency and the Constitution

E. The 22nd

Amendment (1951)

1. This amendment places a limit on the number of terms which one

person can be elected president.

a. There are no presidential term limits in the original Constitution.

2. A person can be not be elected president more than twice; and

cannot serve for more than 10 years (in a perfect scenario).

By turning down a third term,

Washington began a tradition of

presidents only serving two terms and

then stepping aside.

FDR was elected to four terms as

president as he led the U.S. through

the Great Depression and most of

WWII.

I. The Presidency and the Constitution

F. The 23rd

Amendment (1961)

1. This amendment gave the District of Columbia 3 electors in the

Electoral College.

a. Prior to the passage of this amendment, residents of D.C. were

unable to vote in presidential elections.

I. The Presidency and the Constitution

G. The 25th

Amendment (1967)

1. This amendment addresses presidential disability and succession.

2. Its two most important provisions include:

a. If the position of vice president becomes vacant, the president

can nominate a new vice president.

i.) The new vice president must be approved by a majority vote

in both chambers of Congress.

b. If a president becomes ill or temporarily incapacitated, the vice

president can be sworn–in as “acting president” until the

president is able to resume his duties.

George W. Bush Dick Cheney

A. Election to Office

1. The Electoral College is used to

elect presidents/vice presidents.

2. Each state’s number of electors is

equal to its total representation in

Congress. (House members +

Senate members)

3. Successful candidates must win a

majority of the 538 total electors

(they need at least 270 to win).

II. Formal Characteristics of the Presidency

B. Succession

1. If the presidency becomes vacant for any reason (death,

resignation, or impeachment), here is the order of succession:

a. Vice president serves

b. Speaker of the House serves

c. President Pro–Tempore of the Senate serves

II. Formal Characteristics of the Presidency

Harry Truman is sworn in after the death of FDR in April 1945.

B. Succession (continued)

2. Congress passed the Presidential Succession Act in 1947, that

established the current order of presidential succession.

II. Formal Characteristics of the Presidency

C. Salary and Benefits

1. Presidential and vice presidential salaries cannot be adjusted during

his term in office.

II. Formal Characteristics of the Presidency

$230,700

C. Salary and Benefits (continued)

2. The president also has a large staff, the White House as a temporary

place of residence, the use of Air Force One and a pension package.

II. Formal Characteristics of the Presidency

U.S. Presidents have unlimited use of Air Force One, and the

Presidential Limousine known as “The Beast.”

A. Presidential Backgrounds

1. Most presidents have been:

a. White, Christian, and male.

b. well educated and from middle–to–upper class families.

c. from military backgrounds or have previous political experience.

III. Informal Qualifications for the Presidency

B. Personal Qualities

1. Successful presidents often:

a. are likeable and possess visible leadership skills.

b. are effective communicators.

c. are persuasive and inspiring.

d. demonstrate good “stage presence” and are to utilize the

media and Internet in order to reach the American people.

III. Informal Qualifications for the Presidency

Ronald Reagan captivated the nation with his soothing words

after the Challenger Disaster in 1986.

The Powers of the Presidency

A. Appointment and Removal Powers

1. Presidents are able to appoint federal judges, cabinet secretaries,

foreign ambassadors and diplomats, and White House staff.

a. Presidents directly appoint thousands of people in a single term.

b. The most important positions must be approved by the Senate.

c. Some appointees serve “at the pleasure of the president” and

can be removed by the president at any time.

i.) Examples: Cabinet secretaries and White House staff

d. Others are appointed by the president but cannot be removed.

i.) Examples: Federal judges and Supreme Court justices

I. Executive Powers

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Presidential Appointees which require Senate

approval:

Elena Kagan

Supreme Court Justice

Sonia Sotomayor

Supreme Court Justice

B. Executive Orders

1. These are presidential statements which have the rule of law.

2. They are not mentioned in the Constitution, however, they have been

used as a tool for presidents to “faithfully execute” their duties.

3. Executive orders allow presidents to establish rules and regulations

for the operation of federal agencies and allow presidents to shape

federal policies and programs.

I. Executive Powers

President Obama announces an Executive Order which creates a path to

citizenship for more than 5 million illegal immigrants in November 2014.

C. Executive Privilege

1. This is a disputed power in which the president claims the right

to hide certain information by refusing to turn it over to Congress

or the federal courts.

a. Executive privilege is commonly claimed in the areas of

confidentiality and protecting national security.

I. Executive Powers

Richard Nixon resigned as President in August 1974 against certain

impeachment and removal from office as a result of the Watergate Scandal.

C. Executive Privilege (continued)

2. Infamously claimed by President Nixon during the Watergate Scandal.

a. Richard Nixon refused to hand over incriminating documents,

but was later forced to do so in the Supreme Court’s ruling in

U.S. v. Nixon (1974).

3. Nixon resigned as president shortly after the Supreme Court required

that he turn over the evidence relating to the Watergate investigation.

I. Executive Powers

Watergate Scandal

A break–in occurs at the Democratic National Headquarters in the Watergate

Complex in June 1972.

Watergate Scandal

Investigations by the FBI and Washington Post Reporters

Carl Bernstein and Robert Woodward reveal ties between the

burglars and the Committee to Re–Elect the President (Nixon).

Watergate Scandal

Investigations revealed that Nixon had recorded incriminating conversations.

Nixon refused to turn over the tapes, citing executive privilege.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled against the president and forced him to

turn the tapes over to Congress.

Watergate Scandal

Facing certain impeachment charges, Nixon becomes the only

U.S. president to resign in August 1974.

A. Diplomatic Powers

1. Presidents are able to negotiate treaties with foreign nations.

a. Treaties only take effect if ratified (approved) by 2/3 of the Senate.

2. Presidents also may negotiate an executive agreement.

a. This is an agreement between the president and a foreign leader.

b. Presidents prefer executive agreements because they do not

require approval from the Senate.

II. Diplomatic and Military Powers

Woodrow Wilson vastly underestimated support for the Treaty of Versailles

in the Senate. The Senate refused to ratify the treaty and the

League of Nations took shape without U.S. participation.

A. Diplomatic Powers (continued)

3. Presidents also have the power of diplomatic recognition.

a. This is a formal presidential action which indicates that the

United States formally accepts the existence of that country.

b. Following diplomatic recognition, the United States can then

begin to negotiate, trade, and interact with that nation.

II. Diplomatic and Military Powers

Richard Nixon formally

recognized China in 1972.

Franklin D. Roosevelt formally

recognized the Soviet Union in 1933.

B. Military Powers

1. Presidents are responsible for maintaining national security and

protecting American interests at home and abroad.

2. President Washington used his power as commander in chief to send

troops to Pennsylvania in 1794 to put down the Whiskey Rebellion.

II. Diplomatic and Military Powers

George Washington examines his troops prior to

sending them to put down the rebel uprising.

B. Military Powers (continued)

3. The War Powers Act (1973) was a result of involvement in Vietnam

and was an attempt to limit the war–making power of the president.

a. Presidents are required to notify Congress (within 48 hours) of

sending troops into hostile territory.

b. Also, troops must be withdrawn within 60–90 days unless

Congress declares war or extends that time.

II. Diplomatic and Military Powers

A. Legislative Powers

1. Presidents may act as chief legislators by recommending legislation

as they see fit.

a. Presidents cannot officially introduce bills to Congress.

b. Presidents promote legislation through the State of the Union

Address, which is given once a year (usually in January).

2. The president’s greatest legislative power is the veto.

a. Although it may be overridden by a 2/3 vote in Congress.

III. Legislative and Judicial Powers

(Left) President Obama’s uses the media to promote his legislative agenda.

(Right) President Obama signs the Affordable Care Act in March 2010.

B. Judicial Powers

1. Presidents are able to appoint federal judges and Supreme Court

justices (with the approval of a simple majority of the Senate).

2. This appointment power allows presidents to influence the direction

of the federal judiciary for many years after they leave office.

III. Legislative and Judicial Powers

Barack Obama announced the nominations of Sonia Sotomayor (left)

and Elena Kagen (right) as Supreme Court justices in 2009 and 2010.

B. Judicial Powers (continued)

2. Presidents have power to alter sentences of convicted criminals.

a. Reprieves – the postponing or delaying of a prison sentence.

b. Pardons – a full release from a prison sentence or from

impending charges.

c. Amnesty – the offering of a pardon to a group of offenders for

offences committed.

III. Legislative and Judicial Powers

(Left) Gerald Ford pardons former president Richard Nixon from impending

charges relating to the Watergate Scandal. (Right) President Andrew Johnson

offered amnesty to former Confederate Generals following the Civil War.

President Obama “pardons” a turkey prior to Thanksgiving 2014

A. The President’s Implied Powers

1. Presidents use the media as a powerful tool to accomplish their goals.

a. Historically, presidents who are skilled in using the media have

had greater success in persuading the public and gaining support.

IV. Informal Powers

(Left) Harry Truman gives the first televised presidential address in 1947.

(Right) President Obama’s profile on www.whitehouse.gov.

A. The President’s Implied Powers (continued)

2. The president is also regarded as the leader of his political party.

a. Other party members are expected to follow the president’s

agenda and work with him to accomplish the party’s goals.

i.) In return, the president often endorses members of his

political party who are seeking election or re–election.

IV. Informal Powers

President Obama at a campaign event with fellow Democrat,

Tim Kaine, in his race 2012 for a Virginia Senate Seat.

A. Formal Checks

1. The other branches can check presidential power by:

a. The Senate may reject treaties or presidential appointments.

b. Congress may impeach the president or vice president.

c. Congress can override presidential vetoes.

d. Congress may withhold funds from the executive branch.

e. The Supreme Court may rule a president’s actions

unconstitutional.

V. Checks on the President’s Powers

B. Informal Checks

1. The media investigates executive actions and informs the public

about possible abuses of power.

2. Public opinion strongly influences a president’s decisions and

actions (especially as an election approaches!!).

V. Checks on the President’s Powers

A. The First 100 Years

1. Congress generally controlled the direction of government, with a

few exceptions:

a. Thomas Jefferson increases presidential power by purchasing

the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803.

b. Andrew Jackson made popular use of the presidential veto.

VI. Changes in Presidential Power

(Left) Thomas Jefferson instantly doubles U.S. territory with the Louisiana

Purchase from Napoleon. (Right) Andrew Jackson’s opponents in Congress

depicted him as a king for frequent use of the veto.

B. Presidential Power Expands

1. Presidential power increased throughout the Progressive Era, New

Deal, WWII, the 21st

century.

2. Many presidents have contributed to this increase in power:

a. Abraham Lincoln and his role during the Civil War.

b. Theodore Roosevelt and his use of the “bully pulpit.”

c. Franklin Roosevelt and his leadership throughout the Great

Depression and WWII.

VI. Changes in Presidential Power

Abraham Lincoln Theodore Roosevelt Franklin Roosevelt

C. Presidential Power and the Media

1. Early presidents relied on posters, newspapers, pamphlets, etc.

2. Franklin Roosevelt (FDR) made popular use of the radio and his

“fireside chats” helped to ease America through the Depression.

3. Modern presidents have used TV, the Internet; and most politicians

are now involved in social media.

VI. Changes in Presidential Power

(Left) FDR uses fireside chats to reach the American public through the radio.

(Right) Barack Obama posts a photo on Twitter following his re–election victory

in November 2012.

The President’s Administration

A. President’s Administration

1. The president’s administration is

made up of thousands of people that

work with the president within the

executive branch.

B. The Formation of the EOP

1. The Executive Office of the

President (EOP) is an organized

network of executive agencies.

2. These agencies inform the president

and assist him in decision–making.

I. Executive Office of the President

Hundreds of special advisors and

assistants work in the Executive

Branch to assist the president.

C. The White House Office

1. This group consists of the president’s personal and political staff

working in the White House.

2. The president appoints a chief of staff to manage these personnel.

a. The chief of staff works closely with the president in managing

the everyday operations of the White House.

I. Executive Office of the President

Denis McDonough

currently serves as

President Obama’s

Chief of Staff.

D. National Security Council (NSC)

1. This agency includes top military, foreign affairs, and intelligence

officials who work to implement U.S. national security policy.

a. They inform the president of national security issues so that he

can make well–informed decisions.

I. Executive Office of the President

John F. Kennedy meets with the National Security Council in October 1962

in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis during the height of the Cold War.

E. Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)

1. This agency attempts to predict and

identify future economic trends.

a. They assist the president in forming

and guiding economic policy.

F. The Office of Management and

Budget (OMB)

1. This agency helps the president develop

the federal budget to be approved by

Congress every year.

a. They work with the president to

incorporate his programs and agenda

into the nation’s budget.

I. Executive Office of the President

A. The Vice President’s Job

1. The vice president:

a. presides over the Senate and casts

a vote in the event of a tie.

b. finishes the president’s term if he is

unable to do so for any reason.

B. The Early Vice Presidency

1. Vice presidents were chosen for their

ability to add balance and appeal to the

ticket in order to win the election.

2. The early vice presidency had very few

duties associated with it.

C. The Modern Vice Presidency

1. Recent vice presidents have served

more as special assistants in helping

the president with his duties.

II. The Vice President

John Tyler (from VA) became

the first vice president to

become president in 1841.

A. Executive Departments

1. These departments carrying out laws, administer programs, and

make regulations within their departments.

2. These department heads (secretaries) make up the cabinet.

3. Presidents nominate these cabinet members; however, they must be

confirmed (approved) by the Senate.

4. Department heads are replaced when a new president takes office.

III. The Cabinet

President Obama and Vice President Biden pose with the full cabinet in July 2012.

B. The Cabinet’s History

1. Cabinets are not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.

2. However, President Washington created the first cabinet to

include four positions:

a. Secretaries of State, Treasury, War, and the Attorney General.

3. Cabinet members are considered to be experts and specialists

within their particular departments.

III. The Cabinet

(Left to Right) President Washington, Secretary of War Henry Knox, Secretary of

Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Attorney

General Edmund Randolph

C. The Cabinet Today

1. The executive branch has expanded greatly throughout U.S. History.

2. Today, there are 15 cabinet departments (plus the vice president).

3. All major functions and issues of government can be associated with

at least one of these cabinet departments.

III. The Cabinet

President Obama holds a cabinet meeting in October 2011.