Presidential Powers
Power the president has as leader of the military.
What is Commander in Chief
The government cannot establish a religion. (seperation between church and state)
what is Establishment Clause
Two groups with extremely opposite views and little middle ground.
what is Polarized
The power of courts (especially the Supreme Court) to decide if laws or government actions violate the Constitution.
what is Judicial Review
The network of agencies, people, and procedures that make up the federal government.
what is the Federal Bureaucracy
The ability to forgive an individual for a federal crime.
What is Pardon Power
The government cannot tell you how to practice your religion.
what is Free Exercise Clause
Strongly loyal to one political party.
what is Partisan
A judge's belief about how they should interpret the Constitution and laws.
what is Judicial Philosophy
Rewarding political supporters with government jobs.
what is patronage (spoils system)
The power to go public/ have access to media to persuade the public, and "bully" other institutions.
What is Bully Pulpit
A landmark case in which the Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer. Violated the Establishment Clause.
what is Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Both political parties working together and compromising.
what is Bipartisanship
Judges making decisions based on personal views about what's fair, willing to overturn laws.
what is Judicial Activism
Getting hired/ promoted based on what you know and can do, not who you know or support.
what is a Merit System
A landmark case in which the Supreme Court ruled that compulsary school attendance was unconstitutional. Violated the Free Exercise clause.
what is Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
The president nominates a candidate and the majority in the Senate needs to confirm the nomination. Once confirmed, they can only lose their job if they are impeached, die, or resign.
what is the Judge Nomination Process
Judges strictly follow written laws and the Constitution without adding personal opinions. Try to limit their power.
what is Judicial Restraint
Government employee who stays regardless of who's president. (The backbone of government)
what is Civil Servant
The president and the executive branch aren't all powerful. The legislative and judicial branch limit it's power.
what are Checks and Balances
Case where students in New York classrooms saluted the US flag, and recited a voluntary school-provided prayer. Parents sued the school board, since it violated the Establishment Clause. Plaintiffs won, since it broke the separation between church and state.
what is Engel V. Vitale
First Hispanic justice and the third woman Supreme Court justice. Nominated by President Barack Obama.
who is Sonia Sotomayor
what is Brown vs. Board of Education
Any employee who is appointed by the president, the vice president or agency head. (changes with each new administration)
what is Political Appointee