If some of these things seem like they might be in conflict at times with what the President of the United States can’t do, well, that’s the point. Checks and balances. The Government is made up of three branches – Executive (POTUS), Legislative (Congress), and Judicial (SCOTUS). No one has a magic button to do what they want. While this may seem like it creates a lot of pointless red tape and infighting, it also keeps the Republic running and not turning into an Oligarchy. So before you hate Obama/Bush/Clinton/Reagan, remember, the President takes most of the blame when everything goes wrong, and very little praise when it goes right.
If you’re reading this list – or our previous list 10 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.
10
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.
Source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/ Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org
9
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.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org Image Source: en.wikipeida.org
8
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.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/ Image Source: Flicker.com User: DonkeyHotey
7
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.
Source: http://history.house.gov/ Image Source: Flicker.com User: DonkeyHotey
6
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.
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5
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.
Source: https://www.boundless.com Image Source: http://www.stock-free.org/
4
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.
Source: http://history.house.gov/ Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
3
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.
Source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/ Image source: commons.wikimedia.org
2
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.
Source: http://www.politifact.com/ Image Source: Commons.wikimedia.org
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1
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.
Source: http://www.slate.com/ Image Source: en.wikipedia.org
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