WILDCARD
Presidential Powers
Roles of the President
EOC Practice
Electoral College
100
The United States postal service is an example of....?
a government corporation
100
What is the difference between expressed powers and implied powers
Expressed powers are written in Article II of the constitution but Implied powers are not; they are necessary and proper for the President to carry out his duty as President.
100
As the head of the entire federal government, the President is the _____ _______________
Chief Executive
100
Which action formally accuses a government official of “wrongdoing”?
Impeachment
100
What amendment established the Electoral College?
12th Amendment
200
Mr. Swan was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA) and moved to Istanbul, Turkey, when he was only 1 years old. Mr. Swan moved to Florida at the age of 18 and wanted to run for President on his 35th birthday.
Can Mr. Swan run for president?
Yes
- Lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years
- Is at least 35 years old
- Is a natural born citizen
200
The president has the power to appoint cabinet members (secretaries) and seek their advise. As chief executive, the President is in charge of not only their Cabinet, but the entire Executive branch. Who else makes up the executive branch?
Vice President
15 executive departments
Executive Agencies
Independent Agencies & Government Corporations
200
Using the CIA to prevent a terrorist attack
Chief of Security - The President is keeping the country safe by using his intelligence networks.
200
The statement is from the Magna Carta. "To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice." Which political principle justifies this statement?
A. the right to trial protects political institutions
B. The rule of law guarantees fair legal treatment
C. Checks and balances prevent tyranny in government
D. Separation of powers permits shared government authority.
B. The rule of law guarantees fair legal treatment
200
How many votes are needed to win the Electoral College? Why is this the amount that is needed to win?
270 (it's more than half!)
300
A _______________ is the head of an executive department and are members of the President's _______________. They are appointed by the ________ and confirmed by the _______.
A Secretary is the head of an executive department which is part of the President's Cabinet. The are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
300
Name three expressed powers and three implied powers that the president has.
Expressed: Executive power, commander-in-chief, appointment power, treaty-making power, receive ambassadors, veto power, pardon criminals, and other powers relating to congress (state of union, advise Congress, call congress into session Congress)
Implied: In charge of foreign policy, executive orders, military intervention, cabinet powers (convene/remove members), emergency wartime powers.
300
The Queen of England is visiting the U.S. for the first time since 2007. The President will treat her to tea, chocolate biscuits (her favorite!) & crumpets on the White House lawn before hosting a state dinner for the Queen. What role is the President playing in this scenario?
Head of State - The President represents the U.S. as the country's leader for ceremonial events. (This is a Ceremonial event and not a diplomatic visit to discuss foreign relations--think of it as a friendly formality)
300
The statement below is from a congressional document, July 27, 1974.
"Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States."
How have similar statements influenced modern congressional actions?
presidential impeachment
The quote discusses misconduct of a public official.
300
How does a state determine its electoral votes?
By adding up the total number of representatives the state has in Congress
(example: in 2020 Florida had 27 representatives in the House and 2 senators which equates to 29 electors and electoral votes.)
400
Describe the Impeachment process.
How many steps?
Who's involved in each step?
What majority is needed?
Step 1) House of Representatives begins Impeachment process by bringing charges of misconduct against the president. To proceed past this stage, a majority of the house must vote to charge the president or wrongdoing.
Step 2) Senate tries the impeachment case like a court and 2/3 must vote for conviction and the president may be removed from office and banned from any government job.
*Charges of misconduct --> Conviction --> Removal from office*
400
How can the following presidential powers be checked by Congress or the Supreme Court?
1. Veto Power
2. Appointment Power
3. Military Intervention
4. Treaty making Power
Must answer all four to gain points
Veto Power -Congress can override a veto with a 2/3 vote in both houses
Appointment power - The Senate confirms or rejects Presidential appointments
Military intervention - Congress can require troops to return to the U.S. after 60 days
Treaty-Making Power - The senate ratifies all treaties and may reject it
*Supreme court may judge any presidential action unconstitutional*
400
The President gives a speech at a campaign rally for a Republican running for Senator in Arkansas.
In his speech, he calls on Americans to unite and treat each other with compassion and respect. He argues that modern politics has divided Americans causing great pain for the nation.
The President also calls on Congress to fund some of his domestic policies and to pass laws that he wants to see enacted.
What three roles is the President playing in this scenario?
BONUS: How can Congress check the president's demand for new laws?
Party Leader - The president is supporting a candidate from the same political party during in an election.
Moral Leader - the President is addressing a moral issue and using his platform to gain support and resolve the problem.
Chief Legislator - The President is trying to convince congress to pass new laws that he favors.
BONUS: The President can only advise new laws and veto them. Congress does not have to listen or can override a veto.
400
The passages are from Executive order 13490, issued by President Barack Obama in 2009. By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution ...it is hereby ordered as follows: ...Every appointee in every executive agency .. shall be ...committed to, the following pledge upon becoming an appointee: "As a condition, and in consideration, of my employment in the United States Government in a position invested with the public trust, ...I will not accept gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations for the duration of my service as an appointee."
Based on these passages, what is the purpose of the executive today?
A.Government employees should be held to the rule of law
B. Government employees should work with interest groups
C. Government employees should support political candidates
D. Government employees should respect the enforcement of the law
A) Government employees should be held to the rule of law
He is ensuring every executive employee does not accept gifts from lobbyists and that all employees follow the same rules400
Who won the following election:
Candidate 1 (Republican )
271 Electoral Votes; 50,456,062 total votes
Candidate 2 (Democrat)
266 Electoral Votes; 50,999,897 total votes
Candidate 1 - although they received fewer votes, they received more than 270 electoral votes
500
In the early 1970s, several men broke into the Democratic Party's national headquarters at the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. In the investigation that followed, the judge ordered that tapes of conversations that had taken place at the White House must be given to the court as evidence. President Nixon refused to turn over the tapes, claiming executive privilege. In the United States V Nixon, the Supreme Court ruled that when the information was important to a criminal case, executive privilege could NOT be used. President Nixon now seemed likely to have charges of misconduct brought against him and potentially removed from office.
Describe how executive privilege was relevant to this case and identify what other constitutional principles apply to this situation. (Name/Explain at least one other principle that applies)
Executive Privilege - Executive privilege is a concept that is based on the idea that the president needs to keep some information secret. President Nixon refused to hand over tape recordings as evidence claiming he had the power to keep the recordings secret.
Checks & Balances - The Supreme Court deemed that the President's actions were not protected by the Constitution and Nixon faced possible impeachment charges.
Rule of Law - Those who govern must follow the laws (No one is above the law)
500
Based on what you've learned about the roles and powers of the presidency, name three ways that you could help to reduce unemployment if you were president.
Executive Orders - these must be obeyed by like a law (unless unconstitutional). The President could command executive agencies/departments to tackle unemployment and/or poverty, they could create federal work programs or social welfare programs (helping the needy).
ex: George Bush created the Department of Homeland Security which created 240,000 jobs & Joe Biden passed an executive order to tackle climate change which created new jobs in government.
Chief Economist - in charge of the national budget, managing the economy, and keeping unemployment low, encouraging businesses to do business in the U.S instead of overseas. (Economy is good = People are working & spending money)
Chief Legislator/Party leader - Could ask congress to pass bills to incentivize job growth, change tax laws, help those in poverty, regulate (limit/control) how businesses operate.
500
President Harry Truman had the final say in dropping the atomic bomb at Hiroshima & Nagasaki in 1945, causing Japan to surrender effectively ending WWII. President Harry Truman also met with Winston Churchill (Great Britain) & Josef Stalin (Soviet Union) after WWII to discuss a treaty on what to do with post-war Germany. Once the war over, Truman hoped to keep American factories in business so he encouraged factories that made ammunition and weapons during the war to hire returning soldiers and to make consumer products such as cars, electronics, and appliances in order to boost their sales.
What three roles did President Harry Truman hold in this example?
Commander-in-Chief - The President used his authority to use military force and the use of nuclear weapons.
Chief Diplomat - The President met with world leaders to discuss a treaty and establish relations with these countries.
Chief Economist -The President is presenting a economic plan for factories and workers after the war.
500
“Whenever normal agencies prove inadequate to the task and it becomes necessary for the Executive Branch of the Federal Government to use its powers and authority to uphold Federal Courts, the President’s responsibility is inescapable. In accordance with that responsibility, I have today issued an Executive Order directing the use of troops under Federal authority to aid in the execution of Federal law at Little Rock, Arkansas. This became necessary when my Proclamation of yesterday was not observed, and the obstruction of justice still continues.”
What role was President Eisenhower exercising in issuing this executive order?
A) Chief Diplomat
B) Party Chief
C)Chief Legislator
D)Commander in Chief
BONUS: What goal of the preamble is being fulfilled in this example?
Commander in Chief - President Eisenhower is sending troops into Little Rock, Arkansas, to keep peace in the city. He is helping to ensure domestic tranquility.
500
What would the outcome of this election be?
A tie!...in the result of a tie the House of Representatives would determine the outcome of the election: each representative would have 1 vote each and a simple majority would decide the winner.