The President

The President

Article II of the US Constitution grants the president numerous powers and responsibilities, but the the authority
granted to the modern presidency far exceeds the constitutional definition of office. And through the years, a variety
of presidential roles have evolved that were not originally or specifically outlined in the Article. Some of these roles
were legislated by congress, the courts granted some, and powerful presidents assumed others.
The president’s first role is as chief executive, the head of the executive branch and most of its workers. He is
responsible for the ethics, loyalty, efficiency, and responsiveness of the federal government and its employees. The
evolution of the chief executive’s primary role provides a useful example of how the presidential power has
developed through the years. At the outset, the Constitution granted the chief executive the power to appoint all
officials in the executive branch, but after George Washington’s term. Custom gave the chief executive power to
remove appointees. Finally, legislation granted him the power to reorganize agencies and to prepare the budgets.
In the role of chief of state, the president acts as a ceremonial head of the federal government. This is an extremely
important role, for in this capacity, the president must greet distinguished visitors, bestow medals, and host state
dinners. The impression he gives others while performing these duties can help him gain support, lift his repu...

The President

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