Final Flashcards
Executive Power - Is an adviser’s advice privileged ?
Yes - except in a criminal prosecution
Can President remove officers?
Yes - unless statute or needs to be independent - like
an independent council might not be able to move b/c although it is an executive position, independence from president is necessary in order to properly function
Can Congress restrict the President’s Foreign Policy Powers?
Usually no bc have to speak as one nation
Executive Power - Executive Orders
They are Constitutional and can be used basically the same as treaties w/o congressional approval
Executive Power - War Powers
Can the president send troops to fight w/o congressional approval?
(Never been answered by the cts )
- If we commit troops, he has to notify + update congress after a certain period of time w/o authorization to send
- The congress can remove the troops
Checks on the President -. Can you criminally indict a sitting President?
i. Not decided
ii. Nobody is above the law vs. Removal is only by Impeachment + Then can indict as a citizen
iii. High ranking officials can be criminally indicted
President w/ respect to civil cases
i. President has absolute immunity from civil suits
ii. It would impede his job if dragged into court for every decision
iii. Would also make him too cautious to do his job
iv. Most other officials have Qualified Immunity - shielded unless violation is a clearly established statutory or constitutional right that a “reasonable” person would recognize
Impeachment Process
a. House - issues orders
b. Senate - tries the case
c. Chief Justice sits on the case
- Need 2/3 to impeach
Supremacy Clause - Express or implied
Preemption of state law?
a. Federal Law is the law of the land if it conflicts with state law
b. Congress can pre-empt state / local law
c. Express is the simplest way for congress to preempt local laws
“State and local laws are preempted by statute”
d. Implied - no provision of preemption
i. “Field Preemption” - the federal government has so comprehensively occupied the field, that there is no room for state regulation (immigration)
ii. Conflicts in Preemption - it is impossible to comply with both the state and the federal at the same time - fed wins
iii. State law impedes the federal objective w/ a state regulation that unduly interferes w/ achieving this goal
What is the the Dormant Commerce Clause?
When congress has power to act but just has not - state laws that unduly burden interstate commerce will be struck down
Dormant Commerce Clause?
Protectionist Laws - State and Local Laws that discriminate against out-of-staters
Strict Scrutiny
Need a compelling government interest + necessary to achieve that goal
2 Part Analysis: Dormant Commerce Clause
a. Does it discriminate?
b. How is it discriminatory?
Dormant Commerce Clause Facially Discriminatory =
strict scrutiny
Dormant Commerce Clause Facially Neutral ( “Pike Test” )
Discriminatory purpose ~or ~ discriminatory impact;
-> If [both usually shot down]
Not Discriminatory Impact then - Does its burden clearly outweigh its benefit (balancing test)? If not, then upheld
Dormant CC Exceptions (2)
i. Congress approves the state law
- If congress chooses to use its power of commerce clause they can allow it
ii. Market Participation
- States can favor their own citizens when the government is in business owned by the state (cement case)
- But the state can NOT regulate downstream
“Rational basis”
Any law that is rationally related to legitimate government goal
14th Amendment : applies to …?
State Government - “ NO state shall…”
- To apply civil liberties to State + Local governments
Privileges + Immunities Clause Article IV, Section 2 for the Dormant Commerce Clause – protects?
Fundamental rights of individual citizens and restrains state efforts to discriminate against out-of-state citizens
- right to earn a living + right to travel **
a. Has to do with states discrimination against citizens of other states
b. Based on certain fundamental rights
- right to earn a living + right to travel **
Application of the Bill of Rights to the states – does it?
Bill of rights only directly applies to the fed gov
Applies to the states by way of the Due Process Clause - “Liberty” - 14th Amend which Incorporates the bill of rights to apply to the states