25 Things The President Of The United States CAN Actually Do

Posted by , Updated on March 23, 2024

Should there seem to be any conflict with what the President of the United States cannot do, it is crucial to recall that it’s a demonstration of checks and balances. The government consists of three major branches: the Executive (POTUS), the Legislative (Congress), and the Judicial (SCOTUS), and no singular individual has the power to do as they please. While this system might foster red tape and internal disputes, it also safeguards the Republic against the formation of an Oligarchy. Therefore, prior to expressing disdain towards Obama/Bush/Clinton/Reagan, keep in mind that the President often absorbs most of the criticism when things don’t go as planned and receives little acknowledgment when things go well.

If you’re reading this list – or our previous list 25 Things The President Can’t Actually Do – and saying to yourself “But so and so is stepping / stepped out of bounds!” remember, it’s up to the other two branches of government to keep the president in check. A failing on one part of the government is also a failing on the other two parts of government. A three legged stool cannot balance with one or two legs. Here are 25 Things The President Of The United States CAN Actually Do.

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25

The President has the authority to convene Congress during a break during extreme circumstances. He also has the power to adjourn them if he deems it necessary, as outlined in Article II, section 3 of the Constitution.

congressSource: https://www.law.cornell.edu/ Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org
24

The US president can grant pardons or reprieves for those convicted of Federal Crimes, as outlined in the Constitution, Article II, Section 2. EXCEPT in the case of impeachment, so the president cannot pardon him or herself if convicted of a crime while in office. To date, President Barack Obama has issued 348 pardons, more than any other president. However, many of them are for overly harsh sentences for things like marijuana possession.

pardon4313Source: https://en.wikipedia.org Image Source: en.wikipeida.org
23

The President is the official party leader of his or her political party while they are in office as the party leader is simply the most powerful person within that party. They take the lead in representing their party to the nation, addressing their party, and steering party policy.

partyiconSource: https://en.wikipedia.org/ Image Source: Flicker.com User: DonkeyHotey
22

The President has the power to veto a bill that has been passed by Congress. However, congress can vote to override a Presidential Veto, though it's rarely been done. If the President threatens to veto a bill, it can often lead to changes in the legislation before it's passed.

vetoSource: http://history.house.gov/ Image Source: Flicker.com User: DonkeyHotey
21

The President has the power to appoint ambassadors, SCOTUS judges (though these must be approved by Congress), the Secretary of State, and other various federal officials without an election but generally with approval from the Senate.

flanked_by_us_ambassadorSource: http://www.shmoop.com/ Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org
20

It is the job of the President to prepare the Budget (this takes months) and submit the proposed budget (called "Budget Of The US Government") to Congress for approval.

usdollarbillSource: https://www.boundless.com Image Source: http://www.stock-free.org/
19

The president gives an annual State Of The Union address to a joint session of Congress (and the nation) in January. The State Of The Union covers what it sounds like the current state of our nation, and where we're headed. In the 19th century, it used to be more of an administrative and budget type of report to congress, but it has since become a chance to encourage the nation and remark on what we've overcome and where we're headed.

2011_state_of_the_union_obamaSource: http://history.house.gov/ Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
18

In times of crisis, the President may exercise Emergency Powers. While it's not exactly clear what these powers are because they are implied in the Constitution but not clearly stated, there's been some argument over this in the past, such as when Lincoln tried to suspend Habeus Corpus in 1861 (a Federal Judge blocked the suspension). Emergency Powers give the president the right to temporarily declare Martial Law and employ troops within the US to put down rebellion or lawlessness. If this sounds terrifying, it is. However, we should all remember the riots that have happened recently in Ferguson and Baltimore. Even if you disagree with the implementation of emergency powers, it's understandable why many think they're needed. Emergency Powers also allow the President to declare Federal Disaster Areas so that aid can be sent and spend money without congressional approval.

fema_president_obama_visits_fema_headquartersSource: https://www.law.cornell.edu/ Image source: commons.wikimedia.org
17

The President seems to take a lot of vacations, though that's a perk of holding what is possibly the most powerful and stressful job in the world. In case you were curious, George W Bush took far more vacation days than Obama, but Obama has played more rounds of golf. So both red and blue can get a wag of the finger if that kind of thing bothers you. In any case, remember that the President is never truly on vacation because any national emergency or situation can pull him back to Washington or elsewhere if necessary.

photograph_of_president_reagan_putting_a_golf_ball_around_air_force_one_Source: http://www.politifact.com/ Image Source: Commons.wikimedia.org

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16

The President, as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, can direct troops wherever he wishes, either to aid other countries in war or to aid countries who need aid in times of crisis (like when troops were sent to help keep peace during the Ebola crisis in West Africa). If the president chooses to send troops into hostile territory to fight on behalf of the US, he has 90 days to gain approval of that action from Congress. The President cannot formally declare war, only Congress can. So to clarify, the President can move troops and ask for permission later but cannot actually declare war. This is arguably where POTUS/Congress get fuzzy and congress SHOULD keep POTUS in check, but Congress doesn't have term limits and tends to stop doing anything after awhile.

jointcolorsSource: http://www.slate.com/ Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
15

One of the perks of being President is that he has people do nearly everything for him. Look, it seems reasonable that the leader of the free world shouldn't have to make his own bed or remember to get mom a birthday card, but the President's staff goes far beyond that. The Executive Office of the President consists of the President's immediate staff and multi levels of support staff, employing some 4,000 people, including a Chief Florist (implying they're the head of a team), Specialized Pastry Chef, Personal Trainer(s), and a Chief Calligrapher, among others. Most staff is on call 24/7, should the President or First Lady need a fresh scone and some letterhead.

white_house_executive_chef_cristeta_comerford_briefing_staffSource: https://en.wikipedia.org/ @http://stories.avvo.com/ Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org
14

Nuclear launch codes (known as Gold Codes) follow the President everywhere in a case known as the Nuclear Football. The Football is never, for the entirety of his term, more than a few feet from the President. The codes are printed on a plastic card known as "The Biscuit." The President is the ONLY person who can authorize use of nuclear weapons. If the President is for some reason incapacitated, this duty falls to the vice president. Most presidents keep "the biscuit" rubber banded with credit cards in their wallet. The Football also supposedly contains systems that allow the President to address the nation via emergency system within ten minutes, from anywhere.

mark_7_nuclear_bomb_at_usaf_museumSource: https://en.wikipedia.org Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
13

The President can create or dismantle Federal Agencies through executive action. This is one of the most influential but often overlooked roles of the President. Through executive or department orders, Presidents have created over half of all administrative federal agencies in the US, of which there are over 400 in total. These agencies propose and enforce regulation that effects a lot of day to day life for most Americans, such as the Department of Homeland Security (or DHS) claiming the ability to search any personal electronics within 100 miles of a US border, no warrant needed. And if you live in a state like Florida or Connecticut or Hawaii, this is the entire state. This is technically an unwarranted search and is considered by many (like the ACLU) to be illegal under the 4th Amendment of the Constitution. However, it's allowed under the Department of Homeland Security, created by George W Bush in 2002.

dhs_appropriations_signingSource: http://home.uchicago.edu/; http://www.computerworld.com/article/2474541/data-privacy/2-out-of-every-3-americans-lost-fourth-amendment-protections-to-dhs.html , Image Source: en.wikipedia.org

 

 

 

 

12

The President throws better parties than you or anyone, honestly. President Obama planned a music festival with SXSW called "South By South Lawn" on the South Lawn of the White House in October of 2013. The Obamas in particular know how to throw an awesome party, but there's also the Halloween Party (Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter attended in 2009) and the White House Easter Egg Roll has been a tradition for over 130 years. While we don't know much about what goes on behind closed doors at White House parties, we do know that some - Like President Obama's recent 55th Birthday celebration - go long into the night or even the next day.

obamashalloween2009Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org
11

In addition to an annual salary of $400,000 US per year and a huge staff and a pretty nice house to live in, the President gets additional expense funds totaling over $1 million per year. After retiring, former Presidents receive around $200,000 per year, an additional $100,000 for staff (because they'll still need a florist, duh), lifetime secret service protection and additional travel expenses annually. The United States may not have a king, but the President can live like one from the moment they set foot in office.

champagneSource: http://www.therichest.com/ Image Source: pixabay.com User: Skitterphoto
10

The first time a turkey presented to a US president was "pardoned" was in 1863, by Abraham Lincoln. Starting in 1989 with George H. Bush, every turkey presented to the POTUS has been pardoned - as in, they won't be slaughtered and eaten for dinner at the White House on Thanksgiving. This is one of the longest running unofficial traditions and duties of the President.

obama_thanksgiving_turkey_pardon_2009Source: https://www.whitehousehistory.org Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
9

One of the President's most important duties is to faithfully execute the laws. This is explicitly stated in the Constitution, and the president must do so regardless of his own views on the matter, providing that the laws are constitutionally valid. This is in direct opposition to English Kings, who had the ability to suspend laws they didn't care for.

barackobamasigninglegislationSource: http://www.cato.org/ Image Source: en.wikipedia.org

THIS is what executive orders and the creation of agencies powers exist for.

8

The President can be tried for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors" and removed from office upon conviction for those offenses. The process of trial is called Impeachment, and should a President be convicted and removed from office, the Vice President would be sworn in as President to serve the rest of the term.

tickets_for_bill_clintons_impeachment_trialSource: http://www.heritage.org/ Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
7

Executive Orders are legally binding orders given by the President to Federal Agencies. These are usually used to direct execution of the agencies duties; however, there are also Proclamations that are usually ceremonial or Orders in relation to national security which are known as National Security Directives. These Orders do not require Congressional Approval but are as enforceable as laws.

executive_order_9981Source: http://www.thisnation.com/ Image Source: Commons.wikimedia.org
6

The President may be elected to two terms in his or her lifetime, meaning if they take over as president while serving as vice president, they may still run and be elected twice. They are also free to run for other offices after their terms as President is over. Theoretically this includes Vice President as the constitution doesn't explicitly say they may not, but in such a case the SCOTUS would probably be called upon to interpret the Constitution. Andrew Johnson served in the Senate after his Presidency until his death.

andrew_johnsonSource: http://www.heritage.org/ & http://politics.answers.wikia.com/ , Image: commons.wikimedia.org
5

Only a member of Congress can introduce legislation to be voted on, but it is the job of the President to recommend some important pieces of legislation to Congress, such as the annual budget and laws the President may have promised during his campaign. The President lays out his legislative agenda for the year during the State of the Union address and may call upon specific members of Congress to sponsor bills to that end. A recent and well known example of this is the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

obama_signing_the_fair_sentencing_actSource: www.whitehouse.gov Image Source: en.wikipedia.org

 

 

 

4

The President is the primary person responsible for the United States' relations with foreign nations. To this end, he appoints ambassadors and counsels as well as other public officials (per senate approval), and along with the secretary of state, handles all official contacts with foreign governments including peace treaties. He may also respond to foreign events, propose legislation and negotiate agreements such as trade (which must be approved by Congress).

bush__singh_in_new_delhiSource: http://fpc.state.gov/ Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
3

Executive Privilege is the right of the President to refuse to disclose information to other branches of the government or to the public. This includes refusing to testify before a congressional committee, save when it's a criminal proceeding against the President. This is a large part of the reason why the Fast and Furious scandal wasn't investigated further or sooner- President Obama used these powers to shield the Justice Department from a Congressional Investigation.

topsecretSource: http://www.sparknotes.com/ & http://www.nytimes.com/ Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org
2

The POTUS can also call in special perks and favors for entertainment, too. In 2016, President Barack Obama requested advance episodes of season six of Game Of Thrones. He got them. As producer David Benioff said, "When the commander in chief says, 'I want to see advanced episodes' -- what are ya gonna do?"

logo_game_of_thronesSource: http://www.cnn.com/ Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org
1

In times of trouble, it is up the the President to address the nation and grieve with us, as he is very much an American Citizen as well as the leader of our nation. It is his job to realistically address the danger or loss our nation has experienced, as well as give us hope and direction for the future. Perhaps the best example of this in our nation's history is the famous Gettysburg Address delivered by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. His words are the ones other nations see and judge us by in times of war, and words that give us hope to continue on.

barack_obamaSource: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/ Image Source: en.wikipedia.org