Presidential Hats
Unit IV
Chief of State
 Symbol of a Nation
 When someone things of the American Government, the
president is first to mind
 Actions: Visits other countries to strengthen relations,
Attends funeral of foreign leader
 Aided By: No one
Chief Executive
 Head of Executive Branch and wielder of executive
power
 Carry out & enforce the laws of America
 Actions: Enforces laws, Directs agencies, Issues
Executive Orders
 Aided By: Department of Justice, Law enforcement
agencies (ATF, FBI), Regulatory agencies & commissions
(FDIC, FTC, etc)
Chief Administrator
 Runs the Country
 Related to Chief Executive
 Massive employer
 Actions: Appoints government officials, creates & directs
commissions, Runs government corporations & agencies
 Aided By: Most cabinet positions (Ag, HHS, HUD, etc),
Most FACS (Social Security, OSHA, FDIC, FTC)
Chief Diplomat
 Carries out foreign policy & relations with other countries
 Actions: Negotiates treaties, United Nations, Forms alliances
(NATO), Appoints ambassadors
 Aided By: State Department, Ambassadors, Peace Corps
Commander in Chief
 In command of entire US military
 Actions: Making war, Appointing Joint Chiefs of Staff,
Conducting a draft
 Aided By: Department of Defense, Defense-related
organizations (CIA, NSA)
Chief Legislator
 In charge of legislative direction of the nation
 Can’t propose laws, but can ask Congressperson to
 Actions: Bring attention to potential issues & laws, Asking
Congresspeople to propose laws, Putting pressure on votes
 Aided By: Congresspeople from own party
Chief of Party
 Leader of their political party
 Actions: Set party agenda, Suggest party officials, Fundraise
for likeminded politicians
 Aided By: Party chairpersons and other party officials
Chief Citizen
 Representative of the American People
 When people think of Americans, the President is usually the
first to mind
 Actions: Conducting self in a responsible manner, Shaking
hands & kissing babies
 Aided By: No one
Economic Leader
 Helping to establish a “prosperous America” or “ruin our way
of Life”
 Setting or proposing economic policy, taxation, business
development, etc.
 Actions: Proposing revenue and/or spending to helping
economic development
 Public vs. Private Sector
 Aided By: Just about everyone, Commerce (BLS), Labor,
Energy, Transportation, etc.
Judicial Leader
 Appointing people to U.S. Supreme Court and Federal
Courts
 Setting judicial philosophy for years to come if the U.S. Senate
signs off on pick
 Actions: Bringing cases on behalf of Nation
 Conservative vs. Liberal Interpretation
 Aided By: Justice, FBI, U.S. Senate
Presidential Hats