Powers of the President (Executive Branch)

Question 1

Domestic Powers

Answer 1

President has the power to:

• Execute the law
• Appoint ambassadors, consuls, federal judges, and officers (with senate advice and consent)
• Appoint inferior officers (when such power is given by Congress)
• Remove cabinet-level appointees (without cause)
• Remove independent regulatory agency appointees (without cause unless Congress passes a law requiring good cause)
• Pardon federal crimes
• Act as Commander-in-Chief of the military (control and deploy U.S. troops in foreign countries)

Question 2

Treaty & Foreign Affairs Powers

Answer 2

• President shares treaty powers with Congress.
• Treaties may be negotiated by the President, but must be ratified by the Senate.

− But, the President has the power to enter into Executive Agreements (agreements b/t the President and head of a foreign country) w/o Senate approval.