| 1 | In the twentieth century, as the United States emerged as a world leader, the role of the president of the United States also increased and expanded. Today the United States president has many jobs. Performing them is a giant juggling act. Here’s a look at the different roles that presidents are expected to perform. |
Chief Executive |
| 2 | Article II of the Constitution instructs that the president must “take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” To do that, the president sets priorities and makes decisions. The president issues executive orders and makes appointments. And the president heads a huge bureaucracy—a large organization with a chain of command with the president at the top. Today more than 4 million people work in 15 departments and in more than 140 agencies in the executive branch of the federal government. |
Head of State |
| 3 | The president has many ceremonial duties. In other countries, monarchs or prime ministers might perform these tasks. Being invited to the White House for a reception or a dinner or to meet with the president is a great honor for both citizens and important foreign visitors. |
National Leader |
| 4 | The presidency is a platform for presenting ideas and inspiring citizens. Americans look to the president for leadership, inspiration, reassurance, and ideas. |
Chief Policy Maker |
| 5 | While Congress makes the laws, the president shapes public policy and offers ideas for legislation. The president announces major goals in speeches and then encourages Congress to pass various laws. |
Commander in Chief |
| 6 | The Constitution names the president the commander in chief of the armed forces. While the president must ask the Senate for a declaration of war, the president decides how to use the nation’s military forces. |
Chief Diplomat |
| 7 | According to the Constitution, the president, with the advice and consent of the Senate, negotiates and signs treaties with other countries. Presidential diplomacy can help other countries, too, as when the president serves as a third party in negotiations between two nations in conflict. |
Political Party Leader |
| 8 | In the early 1800s, political parties began playing major roles in presidential elections. Since the late 1800s, every president has become the recognized leader of his political party. Sometimes presidents campaign for other candidates by making appearances or speeches or publicly endorsing their parties’ contenders for Congress or state governorships. |
Economic Leader |
| 9 | A strong and healthy economy is essential in a capitalistic society such as the United States. Americans expect the president to encourage a growing economy that ensures their ability to find employment and to be paid a good wage. |
Cabinet Positions | Constitutional Amendments
and the Office of the President |
Vice President Secretary of State Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Defense Attorney General (head of the Justice Department) Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security | 12th Amendment (1804). Changed the procedure by which the president and vice president are elected so that votes in the Electoral College are cast for a president and a vice president, rather than allowing the top vote getter to become president and the runner-up to become vice president. 20th Amendment (1933). Changed Inauguration Day from March 4 to January 20. Originally, time was needed to communicate election results and then allow for the transportation of officials to the capital. By the 1930s, telegraph and telephone lines, faster transportation methods, and better roads meant that the four-month delay between Election Day in November and Inauguration Day in March was no longer necessary. 22nd Amendment (1951). Set a limit (two) on the number of terms to which a president could be elected. It also stated that if a successor to a disabled president takes over with two years or less left in the term, the successor could be elected to two full terms of his or her own. 25th Amendment (1967). Clarified a succession plan for what should happen if a president or a vice president dies, resigns, or is removed from office. It also established a procedure if the president becomes temporarily disabled and unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the office. |