Formal Power
Formal Power
Comes from Article II of
Formal Power
the Constitution
Control the Armed
Forces
Approve legislation
Appoint executive
positions
Appoint judges
Informal Power
Powers no specifically
Informal Power
mentioned in the
Constitution
Considered to be
“anything that the needs
of the Nation
demanded, unless such
actions were forbidden
by the Constitution or
laws”
Mandate
Strong support of the
Mandate
people
The greatest source of
power for the President
Limits of Power by
Congress
Limits of Power by
Congress
Limits of Power by
Congress
Congress veto override
Senate confirmation
power
Impeachment power
Limits of Power by
Federal Courts
Limits of Power by
Federal Courts
Limits of Power by
Federal Courts
Judicial review
Having the power to
rule a law
unconstitutional
Limits of Power by
Public Opinion
Limits of Power by
Public Opinion
Peoples opinions have a
Limits of Power by
Public Opinion
great power to regulate
the workings of the
President
Unfavorable opinions
can override Presidential
policy
Head of State
Head of State
Operates as the
Head of State
representative of the
nation with foreign
dignitaries
Performs ceremonial
duties that represent
the country
Chief Executive
Chief Executive
Sees that the laws are
Chief Executive
carried out
Approves laws passed
by Congress
Chief Legislator
Chief Legislator
Proposes legislation that
Chief Legislator
he wants to be enacted
Often addressed in the
State of the Union
Address
Often writes legislation
and sends it to
Congress to work
through the system
Chief Economic
Planner
Prepares an annual
Chief Economic
Planner
economic report for
Congress
Develops a budget for
the nation that goes to
Congress to be passed
Has ability to freeze all
price, rents, wages, and
slaries
Party Leader
Party Leader
Acts as head of their
Party Leader
party
Gives speeches to help
party members running
for election
Raises money for the
party through fund
raisers
Chief Diplomat
Chief Diplomat
Directs foreign policy of
Chief Diplomat
the United States
Has the ability to make
treaties with other
countries
Can make Executive
Agreements with other
countries (same power
as treaty without
Congressional approval)
Commander in
Chief
Commander in
Chief
Head of the military
Can send troops into
Commander in
Chief
harms way without
Congressional approval
Responsible for key
military decisions
Usually selects the
leaders that run
operations
Executive Orders
Executive Orders
Rules that have the
Executive Orders
force of laws without
going through Congress
Often used to spell out
the enforcement of laws
passed by Congress
Can create completely
new ideas not passed by
Congress and carries
same weight
Pardons
Pardons
Releases an individual
Pardons
from legal punishment
Usually given to people
convicted of federal
crimes
Amnesty
Giving a group pardon
Amnesty
to people for an offense
against the Government
Often very
controversial because of
what they are being
pardoned for
Impoundment
The ability for the
Impoundment
President to put aside
or refuse to spend
money allocated by
Congress
Often used to force
changes to the original
plan for the money
Executive Privilege
The right for the
Executive Privilege
President or other high
ranking officials, with the
Presidents consent, to
refuse to provide
information to Congress
or a court