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Formal and Informal Powers of the President

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Formal Presidential Powers

Executive Powers

  • “Faithfully executes” laws, treaties, and court decisions
  • Appoints and removes officials
  • Assumes emergency powers
  • Presides over the cabinet and executive branch

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Formal Presidential Powers

Legislative Powers

  • Gives State of the Union address
  • Issues annual budget and economic reports (The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921)
  • Signs or vetoes bills
  • Proposes legislation and uses influence to get it passed
  • Calls for special sessions of Congress

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Formal Presidential Powers

Diplomatic/Military Powers

  • Appoints ambassadors and other diplomats.
  • Negotiates treaties and executive agreements
  • Meets with foreign leaders in international conferences
  • Recognizes foreign governments

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Formal Presidential Powers

Diplomatic/Military Powers

  • Receives foreign dignitaries
  • Commander-in-chief of the armed forces
  • Has final decision making authority in matters of national and foreign defense
  • Provides for domestic order

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Formal Presidential Powers

Judicial Powers

  • Appoints members of the federal judiciary
  • Grants reprieves, pardons, and amnesty

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Formal Presidential Powers

Party Powers

  • Political party leader → Influences policies and platform
  • Chooses vice presidential nominee
  • Strengthens the party by helping members get elected (coattails)
  • Appoints party members to government positions (Patronage)

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Informal Presidential Powers

Executive Powers

  • Executive Orders: Orders issued by the President that carry the force of law
  • Executive Privilege: Belief that the President can withhold certain information from the public, including courts and Congress if it serves the national interest.

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Informal Presidential Powers

Legislative Powers

  • Bargaining → Concessions for votes, occurs infrequently (The Compromise of 1877)
  • Being strategic during the “honeymoon period”
  • Presidents may set priorities to influence Congress’ agenda; President is nation’s key agenda builder
  • A president’s popularity is closely associated with his legislative record.

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Informal Presidential Powers

Diplomatic/Military Powers

  • Executive Agreements: International agreements made by a president that has the force of treaty
    • Does not require Senate approval
  • Access to media/bully pulpit/morale building
  • Agenda setting

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Informal Presidential Powers

Diplomatic/Military Powers

  • Meet with world leaders
  • Crisis manager
  • International coalition building
  • President has access to more information, knowledge, or expertise than does Congress
  • Global leader

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Informal Presidential Powers

The greatest source of presidential power is found in politics and public opinion

    • Politics → Congress has granted the POTUS broad authority
    • Public Opinion → The public mistakenly thinks the presidency is the “first branch” of government