Roles of the President

The only roles that the Constitution clearly assigns to the President are those of chief administrator of the nation and commander of its armed forces. But court decisions, customs, laws, and other developments have greatly expanded the President’s responsibilities and powers. Today, the President has seven basic roles:

• chief executive
• commander in chief
• foreign policy director
• legislative leader
• party head
• popular leader
• chief of state

Chief executive

As chief executive, the President has four main duties. They are:

• to enforce federal laws, treaties, and federal court rulings
• to develop federal policies
• to prepare the national budget
• to appoint federal officials

The President uses a variety of powers to carry out administrative duties. Federal laws give the President emergency powers—that is, special authority to prevent or end a national emergency. For example, the Taft-Hartley Act allows the President to delay a labor strike for 80 days if it might endanger “national health or safety.” The President also may issue executive orders. Executive orders are directions, proclamations, or other statements that have the force of laws. They require no action by Congress. One of the most famous executive orders was the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, during the American Civil War. It declared freedom for all slaves in the areas then under Confederate control.

The Office of Management and Budget, part of the Executive Office, helps the President plan the federal budget. Presidents often use their budgets to shape key programs. Lyndon B. Johnson did so in the mid-1960’s to develop his War on Poverty program.

The President nominates Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, and other high federal officials. All such top appointments require Senate approval. The President can appoint a number of personal aides and advisers and can fill hundreds of lower jobs in the executive branch without Senate approval.

The Constitution also allows the President to issue reprieves and pardons for crimes against the United States, except in impeachment cases. A reprieve delays the penalty for a crime. A pardon frees the offender from a sentence or the possibility of a sentence.

Commander in chief

The President’s main duties as commander of the nation’s armed services are to defend the country during wartime and to keep it strong during peacetime. The chief executive appoints all the nation’s highest military officers and helps determine the size of the armed forces. Only the President can decide whether to use nuclear weapons.

The President shares some military powers with Congress. Top appointments in the armed services require congressional approval. Major military expenses and plans to expand the armed forces also need the consent of Congress. Only Congress can declare war. But Presidents have sent American troops into conflicts that were equal to war though none was declared. In 1950, for example, Harry S. Truman ordered U.S. troops to fight in South Korea. The Korean War (1950-1953) was officially only a “police action.”

Congress generally allows the President to exercise broad powers in wartime. During World War II (1939-1945), Franklin D. Roosevelt created many emergency agencies, took control of American manufacturing plants, and even imprisoned American citizens of Japanese descent.

Foreign policy director

The Constitution gives the President power to appoint ambassadors, make treaties, and receive foreign diplomats. The chief executive may refuse to recognize a newly formed foreign government. The President also proposes legislation dealing with foreign aid and other international activities.

Treaties and ambassadorial appointments require approval of the Senate. The President may also make executive agreements with foreign leaders. These agreements resemble treaties but do not need Senate approval.

Many Presidents have allowed their secretaries of state to direct U.S. foreign policy. But Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and others have mainly relied on their own judgment in this area.

Some Presidents have helped settle disputes between foreign nations. Theodore Roosevelt and Wilson were among the first Presidents to serve as peacemakers in foreign conflicts. Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize for helping end the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). Wilson helped work out the peace treaty that ended World War I (1914-1918).

Legislative leader

The President greatly influences the development of many laws passed by Congress. At the beginning of each session of Congress, the chief executive delivers a State of the Union address to the lawmakers. In this message, the President discusses the major problems facing the nation and recommends a legislative program to solve them. The President also gives Congress detailed plans for new legislation at other times during the year.

Cabinet officers and other presidential aides work to win congressional support for the President’s programs. However, the President also may become involved in a struggle over a key bill. In such cases, the President may speak to members of Congress several times to win their backing. This activity requires shrewd bargaining and in many cases fails in spite of the President’s influence.

The Constitution allows the President to veto any bill passed by Congress. If both the House and the Senate repass the vetoed bill by a two-thirds majority, the bill becomes law despite the President’s disapproval. But Congress has overturned only about 4 percent of all vetoes.

Party head

As leader of a political party, the President helps form the party’s positions on all important issues. The President hopes these positions will help elect enough party members to Congress to give the party a majority in both the House and the Senate. Such a strong party makes it easier to pass the President’s legislative program.

However, Presidents cannot always control members of their party in Congress. Senators and representatives owe their chief loyalty to the people in their state and local district. They may vote against a bill favored by the President if it meets with opposition at home.

Presidents try to win the support of legislators in several ways. They often use patronage power, the authority to make appointments to government jobs. For example, a President can reward a loyal supporter by approving that person’s choice for a federal judge. A President also may campaign for the reelection of a faithful party member or promise to approve a federal project that will benefit a legislator’s home district.

Popular leader

The President and the American people have a special relationship. The people rely on the chief executive to serve the interests of the entire nation ahead of those of any state or citizen. In turn, the President depends on public support to help push programs through Congress. The President seeks such support by explaining the issues and by showing the confidence and determination to deal with problems.

The President uses many methods to communicate with the public and provide strong national leadership. Woodrow Wilson pioneered the use of regular presidential press conferences to mold public opinion and to rally support. Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation over radio in his “fireside chats.” He was also the first President to speak on television. Since the 1960’s, Presidents have favored the use of televised addresses from the White House to reach large audiences.

Chief of state

As the foremost representative of the U.S. government, the President is expected to show pride in American achievements and traditions. In this role, the President attends historical celebrations, dedicates new buildings and national parks, and may throw out the first ball of the professional baseball season. The President also presents awards to war heroes and invites distinguished Americans to the White House.

In addition, the chief executive greets visiting foreign officials and often hosts formal White House dinners for them. The President also represents the United States in visits to other countries.

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