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Civics · American Government

The Powers of the Presidency

The President of the United States wears many hats — chief of state, chief executive, commander in chief, and more. Explore the constitutional powers and roles of the presidency.

HistoryCentral — The Powers of the Presidency
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The Powers of the Presidency

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Chief of State

The President is the chief of State of the United States.

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Chief Executive

The powers of the President as Chief Executive derive from the Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, which states: “the executive powers of the U…

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Chief Administrator

The President is the chief administrator of the federal government.

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Treaty Maker

President as Chief of State.

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Chief Diplomat

The Constitution states that the President shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers.

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Commander in Chief

Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution states that "the President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the…

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Chief Legislator

The Instituational Presidency.

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Calling a Special Session

The President also has the right to call the Congress into special session, a power that has been used several times in American history.

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Pardon Power

The President has the power to pardon and grant a reprieve to anyone accused or convicted of a crime.

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Executive Privilege

Presidents have claimed executive privilege, the right to withhold information from Congress, since the time of George Washington.

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Recognition

Presidents have claimed executive privilege, the right to withhold information from One of the Presidents powers that is unshared with Congress, is hi…

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Veto Power

Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution gives the president the power to veto a bill passed by Congress.

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Vice President

The Constitution gives few duties to the Vice President.

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Appointment Power

The President has the power to appoint Supreme Court justices, ambassadors and other government officials.

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The Institutional Presidency

The Institutional Presidency is made up of the President, the Cabinet and the Executive Office of the Presidency.

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