Executive Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the formal powers of the president as outlined in the Constitution.
A
The formal powers of the president include being the head of the executive branch of the federal government, powers explicitly granted in Article II, powers delegated by Congress, and the ability to propose legislation.
2
Q
How do informal powers of the president differ from formal powers?
A
Informal powers are political and derive from various sources such as the president’s popularity, standing within the party, and reputation internationally, while formal powers are defined and do not vary.
3
Q
Define enumerated powers in the context of presidential authority.
A
Enumerated powers are those explicitly granted to the president in Article II of the Constitution or delegated by Congress.
4
Q
What are implied powers and how are they derived?
A
Implied powers are those not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are inferred from its text, allowing the president to carry out their duties.
5
Q
Explain the concept of inherent powers of the president.
A
Inherent powers are those not specifically outlined in the Constitution but are necessary for the president to fulfill their role as head of the executive branch.
6
Q
How did FDR expand the use of implied powers during his presidency?
A
FDR expanded the use of implied powers by interpreting them in new ways, particularly during national emergencies, such as issuing an executive order for the internment of Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor.
7
Q
What argument did the Bush administration make regarding inherent powers after 9/11?
A
The Bush administration argued that inherent powers allowed the president to ignore civil liberties and anti-torture laws, leading to the indefinite detention of terrorist suspects.
8
Q
Describe the role of the president as chief executive of the federal government.
A
As chief executive, the president controls the federal bureaucracy, which consists of 15 departments, and prepares the annual federal budget.
9
Q
What is the significance of the power of the purse in relation to the president’s budget?
A
The power of the purse refers to Congress’s authority to pass the budget, which the president prepares but does not personally write.
10
Q
How can the president influence the passage of legislation?
A
The president can propose legislation, sign bills into law, or allow bills to become law without a signature if left on the desk for 10 working days.
11
Q
What happens if a congressional session ends before the president signs a bill?
A
If a congressional session ends, any bill left unsigned on the president’s desk does not become law.
12
Q
Describe the veto power of the President.
A
The President can veto a bill by sending it back to Congress with a message explaining the reasons. Congress can override the veto, but it requires a 2/3 majority in both houses.
13
Q
How many times did Trump use his veto power during his first term?
A
Trump used his veto power 10 times during his first term.
14
Q
Define the trend in the number of presidential vetoes over time.
A
The number of presidential vetoes has generally decreased over time, with Reagan using 39 vetoes and Biden using 12.
15
Q
What was significant about Obama’s overturned veto?
A
Obama’s overturned veto was related to foreign sovereignty immunity.
16
Q
Explain the appointment powers of the President.
A
The President nominates officials to key positions in the executive branch, which includes around 4000 appointments when a new president takes office, including Cabinet positions.
17
Q
How do judicial appointments impact the presidency?
A
Judicial appointments can have a lasting impact as federal justices continue to serve after the president leaves office.
18
Q
What role does the President play in foreign policy?
A
The President serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the US military and can initiate military action.
19
Q
Discuss the constitutional power of Congress regarding war.
A
Congress has the constitutional power to declare war, but it has not done so since 1941.
20
Q
What does the War Powers Act of 1973 require from the President?
A
The War Powers Act requires presidents to seek Congressional approval for military action, although some presidents have acted without it.
21
Q
Identify a president who acted without Congressional approval for military action.
A
Clinton sent US troops into Kosovo in the 1990s without Congressional approval.
22
Q
List some conflicts that recent presidents have led the US into.
A
Bush led the US into conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq; Obama was involved in Libya (2011) and Syria (2015) and used drone strikes against terrorist suspects.
23
Q
What special military actions can the President authorize?
A
The President can use special forces to kill terrorist leaders, such as Osama bin Laden in 2011 and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi under Trump.
24
Q
What is the significance of the nuclear football?
A
The nuclear football is a briefcase carried by a military officer that accompanies the President, containing the necessary tools to authorize nuclear weapons.
25
What treaty-related power does the President hold?
The President has the power to negotiate treaties.
26
How can the President grant pardons?
The President can pardon anyone convicted of a federal crime, except in cases of impeachment.
27
What is a posthumous pardon?
A posthumous pardon is a pardon issued after a person's death, such as Trump's pardon of boxer Jack Johnson for a 1913 offense.
28
Explain the concept of pre-emptive pardons.
Pre-emptive pardons are pardons issued before a person is convicted, as seen with Biden and the January 6 Committee.
29
What notable pardon did Gerald Ford issue?
Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon for any crimes he may have committed after resigning in 1974.
30
What criticism did Clinton face regarding pardons?
Clinton was criticized for pardoning his brother for a drug offense and for pardoning wealthy supporters.
31
Who was Roger Stone and what was significant about his pardon?
Roger Stone was convicted in 2019 on charges related to the Trump campaign and was pardoned by Trump in December 2020.
32
What informal power does the President possess?
The President has the informal power to persuade.
33
Describe how a president can use personal influence to gain support from political figures.
A president can leverage personal influence, the authority of their office, and political capital to win support from key political figures.
34
How can a president utilize the support of their administration to advance their agenda?
A president can use the support of the Vice President, cabinet officers, and lobbyists in the Office of Legislative Affairs to push their agenda with members of Congress.
35
Explain the impact of congressional control on presidential legislative success.
A president's ability to pass legislation can be constrained by their control over Congress; for example, Obama had a 97% success rate in 2009 with a Democratic majority, which fell to 46% after losing the Senate in 2014.
36
What is the Bully Pulpit and how can it be used by a president?
The Bully Pulpit refers to a president's ability to use their position to advocate for policies, such as Biden's Oval Office address discussing gun regulation after an assassination attempt on Trump.
37
Define the role of deal-making in presidential legislative strategy.
Deal-making involves a president needing support from Congress to pass legislation, which may include offering to support policies championed by legislators or assisting them in election campaigns.
38
How does divided government affect presidential deal-making?
During periods of divided government, bipartisan deal-making becomes essential to avoid gridlock, as seen when Trump made bipartisan deals to pass the First Step Act in 2018.
39
What concessions did Trump make to pass the $1.4 trillion spending bill in December 2019?
Trump made concessions to allow the $1.4 trillion spending bill to pass in December 2019 to avoid a repeat of the previous year's 35-day government shutdown.
40
Describe the president's ability to set the political agenda.
Presidents command the media spotlight and can set the political agenda, shaping public opinion through speeches and statements.
41
How did Trump use social media to influence the political agenda?
Trump widely used social media, including controversial tweets, to command the political agenda, such as his tweet about 'The Squad' and referring to COVID-19 as the 'China virus'.
42
What leadership message did Trump convey when he contracted COVID-19?
When Trump contracted COVID-19, he attempted to show positive leadership by encouraging the public not to let the virus take over their lives, despite the high death toll.
43
What was Trump's role in inciting the January 6th events?
Trump incited the January 6th events by telling the crowd to 'fight like hell'.
44
Define the president's role as the de facto party leader.
As the de facto party leader, the president influences their party's membership, which is particularly effective if their party controls both houses of Congress.
45
How can a president's popularity affect fundraising and campaigning?
A president's popularity can significantly aid fundraising and campaigning efforts, as seen when Biden raised $240 million before dropping out of the race.
46
What is the significance of the president as a world leader?
The president is often described as the 'leader of the free world,' representing the most powerful liberal democracy and military superpower.
47
Describe Trump's approach to international leadership during his presidency.
Trump showed less interest in international leadership, withdrawing from the Paris Agreement in both 2017 and 2025, and from the WHO in 2020 and 2025, while sending mixed signals about NATO membership.
48
Define the Executive Office of the President (EXOP).
The Executive Office of the President (EXOP) is a collection of offices that provide policy advice and administrative support to the president, established by FDR.
49
How does the Executive Office of the President assist the president?
The EXOP helps the president run the federal government, develop policy, write legislation, communicate with the public and Congress, negotiate trade deals, and promote the president's agenda.
50
What are executive orders and their significance?
Executive orders are official orders issued directly to the federal government, easily reversible, and presidents claim an implied right to issue them under Article II.
51
Who holds the record for the most executive orders and how many did they issue?
FDR holds the record for the most executive orders, having issued 3,721.
52
Provide an example of a significant executive order issued by Eisenhower.
Eisenhower used an executive order in 1957 to send federal troops to enforce racial desegregation at Little Rock High School in Arkansas.
53
What controversial measures did Bush authorize through executive orders after 9/11?
Bush authorized controversial anti-terror measures, including the surveillance of suspects without a court order.
54
How did Obama utilize executive orders during his presidency?
Obama relied on executive orders after facing resistance from Congress, particularly for increasing the federal minimum wage and outlawing discrimination against married same-sex couples by health insurance companies.
55
What criticism did Trump have regarding Obama's use of executive orders?
Trump criticized Obama's use of executive orders during his candidacy but signed more executive orders in his first three years in office than Obama did in the same period.
56
What limitations exist on the president's use of executive orders?
The president must show that the use of executive orders directs the executive branch without encroaching on Congress's legislative role, and such orders can be reviewed by courts.
57
What was the outcome of the 2016 ruling regarding Obama's DACA program extension?
The 2016 ruling upheld that Obama could not extend the DACA program, demonstrating limitations on executive power.
58
Explain the public and congressional response to executive orders.
There can be strong public and congressional outcry against executive orders, and excessive use may undermine a president's ability to negotiate deals with Congress.
59
What was the purpose of Obama's DAPA executive order issued in 2014?
Obama's Deferred Action for Parents of America executive order aimed to allow certain illegal immigrants to be subject to indefinite delay in deportation.
60
What legal challenge did Obama's DAPA face?
In December 2014, 25 states challenged DAPA in federal court, claiming the president could not implement the policy without Congress.
61
What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding the DAPA case?
The Supreme Court split 4-4 on the DAPA case, resulting in the lower court's verdict being upheld.
62
Describe the controversial use of presidential power of signing statements in relation to legislation.
Presidents can effectively use signing statement powers to achieve a line-item veto, which allows them to criticize legislation. For example, in 2017, Trump criticized a bill imposing sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea, claiming it affected his constitutional powers to conduct foreign policy.
63
How have different presidents utilized executive agreements?
Executive agreements are made between the USA and international governments and do not require Senate ratification. They are used to avoid lengthy negotiations with senators. Since WWII, their use has increased, with presidents often criticized for circumventing the Senate.
64
Define the significance of the Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Belmont.
The Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of executive agreements in 1937, affirming the president's ability to enter into such agreements without Senate ratification.
65
What was the reaction of Republican senators to Clinton's deal with North Korea in 1994?
Republican senators reacted strongly against Clinton's deal with North Korea in 1994, expressing outrage over the circumvention of Senate approval.
66
How did national events impact presidential power, particularly during Obama's presidency?
National events can significantly affect presidential power by reducing the time a president can devote to other policies. For instance, during the 2008 Banking Crisis, Obama prioritized the stimulus package, which increased opposition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
67
Explain the concept of recess appointments by the president.
Recess appointments allow the president to make temporary appointments when the Senate is in recess to ensure continuity of government. However, this practice has faced challenges, such as the Senate holding pro-forma sessions to prevent such appointments.
68
What was the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling regarding Obama's recess appointments in 2012?
In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that Obama exceeded his powers by making three recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board, which were challenged by Noel Canning Corporation.
69
Describe the constraints on presidential power imposed by Congress.
Congress imposes checks and balances on presidential power, including the power to declare war, which has not been exercised since 1941. Under the War Powers Act of 1973, presidents are expected to seek Congressional approval for military action in advance.
70
How can congressional investigations serve as a constraint on the president?
High-profile congressional investigations can provide oversight of the president and generate media scrutiny, as seen in the investigation of Trump's presidential campaign and its possible links to Russian interference in the 2016 elections.
71
What role does public opinion play in shaping presidential power?
Public opinion can significantly influence presidential power, as seen when national crises, like 9/11, led to a surge in presidential power due to public support, while other events can dampen opposition and affect policy priorities.
72
Describe the impeachment process of a president in the United States.
The House of Representatives can impeach a president with a simple majority vote, while the Senate conducts the trial, requiring a 2/3 majority for conviction.
73
Identify the three U.S. presidents who have been impeached.
Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump are the only three presidents who have been impeached.
74
Explain the charges against Trump during his first impeachment.
Trump was impeached by the Democratic House in December 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
75
What were the charges against Trump during his second impeachment?
Trump was impeached again in January 2021 for incitement of insurrection.
76
How does judicial review function as a check on presidential power?
Judicial review allows the judiciary to examine the actions of the executive branch to check their legality, with the Supreme Court able to declare actions unconstitutional.
77
What was the outcome of the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's 2017 'Muslim ban'?
Federal courts halted the 'Muslim ban,' and the Supreme Court later ruled it constitutional, stating that the countries included were not majority Muslim.
78
Discuss the significance of the Supreme Court ruling in 2020 regarding presidential financial records.
The Supreme Court ruled that the president does not have the right to refuse to provide personal financial records to criminal prosecutors, affirming that no one, including the president, is above the law.
79
How can party support in Congress affect presidential legislation?
Party support in Congress can make it difficult for a president to pass legislation, especially during times of divided government or when the party is not united.
80
What influence do interest groups have on presidential agendas?
Interest groups, such as the NRA, can persuade members of Congress to block presidential initiatives, as seen with Obama's gun control reforms in 2013.
81
Describe how state governors can oppose a president's agenda.
State governors can resist presidential decisions, as demonstrated by California's Democratic governor Jerry Brown opposing Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.
82
What is the impact of the prevailing judicial philosophy of the Supreme Court on presidential rulings?
Presidents who share the same ideology as the majority of the Supreme Court are more likely to receive favorable rulings, while a conservative majority may still rule against a Republican president.
83
How do media attitudes affect presidential public perception?
Presidents often argue that media coverage is unfavorable, but most recognize the media's importance in democracy and seek to gain support, although Trump adopted a more aggressive stance against certain media outlets.
84
What was Trump's approach to media during the pandemic?
During the pandemic, Trump criticized individual reporters, labeling them as 'terrible reporters' and accusing them of asking 'nasty questions'.
85
How does public opinion influence a president's effectiveness?
Once public opinion is formed, it can significantly affect a president's impact and ability to govern.
86
Describe the relationship between a president's approval rating and their appeal to their base.
Presidents with strong appeal to their base may focus less on appealing to the entire nation. For example, Trump's approval rating reached 49% in February 2020, while Obama's highest was 69% and Bush had a record 90% after 9/11.
87
How did Trump's approval ratings compare with his core supporters in 2018?
Trump's approval ratings among core supporters remained between 85% to 90% among Republicans in 2018, while his national approval was only 40%.
88
Define the role of the Cabinet in the U.S. government.
The Cabinet is a group of advisers chosen by the president to help run the federal government, including the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments.
89
What types of backgrounds do Cabinet members typically have?
Cabinet members come from a variety of backgrounds, including former politicians, academics, experts in their fields, military officers, and lobbyists.
90
Give an example of a former politician who served in Obama's Cabinet.
Hillary Clinton served as Obama's Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013.
91
How did Obama diversify his Cabinet?
Obama appointed a highly academic Cabinet, with two-thirds of its members having attended Ivy League universities.
92
What was significant about Biden's Cabinet appointments?
Biden promised to create the most diverse Cabinet in history, appointing the first African American Secretary of Defense, the first female Treasury Secretary, and the first openly gay Cabinet officer.
93
Explain the president's authority over the Cabinet according to the Constitution.
The Constitution grants the president sole executive authority, meaning they do not have to take advice from the Cabinet and can dismiss members at their discretion.
94
How did Trump utilize 'acting' Cabinet members?
Trump preferred having 'acting' Cabinet members as it provided him with more flexibility in decision-making.
95
What is the frequency of Cabinet meetings compared to the UK?
The Cabinet in the U.S. does not meet as regularly as in the UK, as it is not a decision-making body; the president often holds one-on-one meetings instead.
96
What was unique about Reagan's approach to Cabinet meetings?
Reagan held many more Cabinet meetings than most presidents, indicating he valued hearing the thoughts of his advisers.
97
How can the influence of Cabinet members vary?
Some Cabinet members may have greater influence with the president due to their high profile or close political relationships.
98
What was a notable criticism of Trump's Cabinet appointments?
Trump faced criticism for appointing former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as head of the Environmental Protection Agency in 2018.
99
Describe the role of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the executive branch.
The OMB is the largest department that produces the budget, oversees all financial aspects of the president's agenda, and assesses the effectiveness of government programs. It is one of the few offices whose director requires Senate confirmation (currently Russell Vought).
100
How does the White House Office support the president?
The White House Office works closely with the president, employing over 400 staff members, including the Chief of Staff. It is located in the West Wing and does not require Senate confirmation for appointments.
101
Define the National Security Council and its main functions.
The National Security Council is the president's primary forum for discussing and managing national security and foreign policy issues. It is chaired by the president and includes key officials such as the VP and secretaries of state, treasury, and defense.
102
Explain the significance of the Chief of Staff in the White House.
The Chief of Staff plays a crucial role in determining who has access to the president and balancing opinions within the administration, significantly influencing the effective running of the executive branch.
103
What is the purpose of having a Vice President in a presidential administration?
The Vice President is often used to 'balance the ticket' by complementing the president's characteristics, such as age, race, or political ideology, to appeal to a broader electorate.
104
How does the federal bureaucracy relate to the president's objectives?
Cabinet officers head the 15 executive departments that make up the federal bureaucracy and are directly accountable to the president, working to achieve the president's objectives.
105
Describe the relationship between the presidency and independent federal agencies.
Independent federal agencies, such as the CIA, operate with more autonomy from the president. While the president can remove the head of these organizations, it is generally only for wrongdoing.
106
What role does the Situation Room play in the White House?
The Situation Room, located in the basement of the White House, is used to coordinate U.S. responses to crises, including significant events like the mission that led to Osama bin Laden's death.
107
How do political advisers influence the president's agenda?
Political advisers help the president navigate political challenges and support the administration's agenda, often overshadowing the role of the cabinet.
108
What is the significance of the West Wing in the White House?
The West Wing is considered the heart of the presidency, housing many offices, including the White House Office, which works closely with the president.
109
Describe the relationship between Emmanuel and cabinet officers during his tenure.
Cabinet officers resented Emmanuel as they were required to submit weekly reports to him.
110
How did Emmanuel influence policy suggestions before they reached Obama?
Emmanuel checked policy suggestions before they were presented to Obama, which led to criticism for encouraging moderate policies.
111
What significant policy success was achieved under Emmanuel's leadership?
The administration achieved important policy successes, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
112
What happened to Trump's first chief of staff, Priebus?
Priebus's relationship with Trump deteriorated quickly, leading to his resignation after six months.
113
How did John Kelly attempt to manage his role as chief of staff?
Kelly attempted to impose order by restricting access to Trump, but his influence diminished amid arguments with senior staff and criticism from Trump.
114
What was the state of communication between Trump and Kelly by January 2019?
Reportedly, Kelly and Trump were not on speaking terms when Kelly resigned in January 2019.
115
Compare the number of chiefs of staff Trump had to those of Bush Jr.
Trump had four chiefs of staff in four years, while Bush Jr. had two in eight years.
116
How did Obama's White House staff dynamics differ from Trump's?
Obama's White House appeared to be run effectively with a sense of shared purpose, while Trump initially left many positions unfilled and faced chaos due to frequent sacking of officials.
117
What was the impact of Trump's frequent sacking of officials on his administration?
Trump's frequent sacking of officials and resignations led to chaos, as advisers who disagreed were reportedly sacked or encouraged to resign.
118
Define the role of policy czars in relation to cabinet officers.
Policy czars are appointed to oversee specific areas of policy and often operate in areas governed by cabinet officers.
119
Who acted as economic czar under Obama, and what was his role?
Paul Volcker acted as economic czar as chair of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board under Obama.
120
What criticism did Republicans have regarding Obama's use of policy czars?
Republicans criticized Obama for the widespread use of policy czars, arguing that they had not been confirmed by the Senate and were subject to less scrutiny.
121
What significant decision did Jared Kushner influence regarding the US embassy?
Kushner convinced Trump to overrule objections from the secretary of state and secretary of defense to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
122
Identify a policy czar from Trump's administration and his contributions.
Peter Navarro acted as trade czar and was instrumental in pushing tariffs against China.
123
How should EXOP staff ideally function in relation to the president?
EXOP staff should assist the president in making the best decisions for the country.
124
What tendency was observed among many EXOP staff members?
Many EXOP staff members acted primarily as political operatives rather than neutral assistants.
125
What was Kushner's role in the Trump administration?
Kushner served as a policy adviser and acted as a policy czar in various areas including border wall, healthcare, and criminal justice reform.
126
Describe Trump's promise regarding government agencies during his first term.
Trump promised to 'drain the swamp' in DC and announced plans to abolish 22 government agencies in 2018, but Congress would not consent.
127
What was the impact of relocating the US Department of Agriculture during Trump's presidency?
The relocation of the US Department of Agriculture to Kansas City resulted in the resignation of 78% of its employees.
128
How did the Trump administration's actions during the pandemic relate to previous policies?
During the pandemic, it was revealed that the Trump administration disbanded the pandemic response office set up by Obama in 2018.
129
Define the term 'imperial presidency' as discussed by Professor Arthur Schlesinger.
The 'imperial presidency' refers to the idea that the presidency has an 'emperor-like' character, often involving actions taken without congressional approval.
130
What actions did Nixon take that exemplified the concept of an imperial presidency?
Nixon authorized military intervention in Cambodia and Laos without informing Congress, used corrupt methods during the Watergate scandal, and continued the Vietnam War without congressional approval after 1971.
131
How did Ford's view of the presidency differ from Schlesinger's concept of an imperial presidency?
Ford argued that the presidency was imperilled, meaning it was weak and limited by Congress and a large federal bureaucracy, contrasting with the idea of an imperial presidency.
132
What legislative action did Congress take in response to Nixon's presidency?
Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973, which restricted the powers of the president regarding military action.
133
Explain the significance of the War Powers Act of 1973.
The War Powers Act requires congressional authorization for the use of US armed forces in hostilities, aiming to limit presidential military power.
134
How did Clinton and Obama’s military actions relate to the War Powers Act?
Clinton's use of US troops in NATO peacekeeping missions in the 1990s and Obama's 2011 intervention in Libya were argued to be violations of the War Powers Act.
135
What are emergency powers and how can they affect civil liberties?
Emergency powers allow the president to unlock federal funding and access over a hundred powers granted by Congress, which can be used to limit civil liberties, such as FDR's internment of Japanese Americans during WW2.
136
Describe Obama's approach to torture and drone strikes during his presidency.
Obama rejected torture but did not close Guantanamo Bay; he implemented a 'targeted killing' program that resulted in ten times more unmanned drone strikes in the Middle East and Asia compared to Bush.
137
How did Trump respond to the pandemic in March 2020?
Trump declared a national emergency in March 2020 in response to the pandemic and banned US citizens from traveling to European countries.
138
Define the National Emergencies Act of 1976.
The National Emergencies Act of 1976 aimed to limit presidential power by requiring any declaration of a national emergency to be accompanied by legal justification and reviewed by Congress every six months.
139
What issue arose from the lack of a clear definition of emergency in the National Emergencies Act?
The lack of a clear definition allowed Trump to declare a national emergency in February 2019 to secure funding for the border wall, despite Congress voting twice to end the state of emergency, which Trump vetoed both times.
140
How did the rise of direct authority manifest in presidential actions?
The rise of direct authority is shown through the use of executive orders, signing statements, and executive agreements, indicating a willingness of presidents to stretch their powers.
141
What does frequent gridlock in Congress imply for presidential power?
Frequent gridlock, especially during divided government, forces presidents to make budgetary compromises to avoid government shutdowns, highlighting limitations on presidential power.
142
How did Reagan, Bush Jr., and Trump view Congress in relation to budgetary issues?
Reagan, Bush Jr., and Trump all blamed Congress for forcing them to sign budgets that increased the size of the deficit.
143
What are the implications of government shutdowns for presidential power?
Government shutdowns serve as a reminder of the limitations of the president's power.
144
What does Trump's impeachment in 2019 suggest about his relationship with Congress?
Trump's 2019 impeachment suggests he was imperiled by opposition in the House of Representatives, while his acquittal by the Republican-controlled Senate shows the limitations of Congress in opposing the president.
145
Explain the concept of a 'lame duck' presidency.
Every two-term presidency is imperiled towards the end of the second term to some extent, leading to a 'lame duck' situation where the president has reduced power.
146
Compare the presidential styles of Reagan and Obama.
Reagan had a more imperial style than Carter or Ford, particularly in foreign policy, while Bush Jr. and Obama also used direct authority widely.
147
How did Trump's presidency differ in style from previous presidents?
Trump represented a significant breach with conventional styles, adopting a more imperial approach by using executive orders to cancel major international agreements and declaring a national emergency for the border wall.
148
What was controversial about Trump's use of family members as advisers?
Trump was accused of treating the presidency as an extension of his business empire by employing his son-in-law and daughter as advisers, despite their lack of experience.
149
What claim did Trump make regarding his ability to pardon himself?
Trump claimed in a 2018 tweet that he had the right to pardon himself, suggesting a belief in complete immunity.
150
How did Trump assert authority over states during the pandemic?
During the pandemic, Trump declared complete authority over states, ignoring the traditional limits of presidential power.
151
Describe the main issues faced by President Clinton during his presidency.
Clinton faced the Lewinsky affair and impeachment, being charged with lying under oath, which led to a reputation that never fully recovered.
152
Identify the significant challenges President Bush Jr encountered during his time in office.
Bush Jr dealt with American deaths in Iraq and a poor government response to Hurricane Katrina.
153
Explain the difficulties President Obama faced in his presidency.
Obama lost control of Congress and struggled for the remainder of his presidency.
154
What was a major criticism of President Trump's handling of a national crisis?
Trump was criticized for his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
155
List the challenges President Biden has faced during his presidency.
Biden has faced issues related to the withdrawal from Afghanistan, losing control of the House, and concerns about his age.
