The Powers of the United States President

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Is the most powerful elected official in the United States the Presidency? The Office of the President started after the Revolutionary War. America’s Founding Fathers designed the political system so that it would not resemble a Parliament Government and especially to not have a King. Instead there would be an elected official to lead the Federal Government, enforce the laws and act as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The White House was built for the President and his family to reside while he serves his term of four years in office; however to make it clear that this is not a Parliament Government it was purposely built with no throne and the President would not wear a crown.

“To be eligible to become president the candidate must be a native-born citizen of the United States (or born abroad of two citizen parents); at least 35 years of age; and have lived in the United States for at least 14 years” (History.com:U.S. Presidents).

The powers of the U.S, President are outlined in Article II of the Constitution. This states that executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States making the President the head of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. Presidential powers include: authority to appoint judges and ambassadors as well as other high ranking officials, foreign policy powers, presidential war power, veto legislation, grant pardons, issue proclamations and orders, administer law and serve as commander in chief of the armed forces (Presidential Powers ).

When the Founding Fathers designed the office of the President there was great concern over how much power this one individual would carry. In fear of anarchy and monarchy they created the check and balances system. According to the...

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...nfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/preslegpower.htm>.

Enotes: Checks and Balances: Three Branches of American Government.

Britannica, Encyclopedia. Presidency of the United States of America. .

History.com:U.S. Presidents. .

The free dictionary.com Presidential Powers- .

U.S Constitutional Online: Checks and Balances. .

Wilson, James Q. American Government Brief Version Ninth Edition. Boston: Wadsworth.

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