Purpose & Structure of the Executive Branch
What document gives the President executive power?
What is Article II of the U.S. Constitution
What title describes the President’s role as head of the military?
What is Commander in Chief
How many total electoral votes exist, and how many are needed to win the presidency?
What is 538 Total and 270 to win
What is the main purpose of the Cabinet?
What is To advise the President and oversee executive departments
What amendment clarifies presidential disability and succession?
What is the 25th
List the three formal qualifications to become President of the United States.
What is Must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a U.S. resident for 14 years
Which presidential role involves serving as the symbolic leader of the nation at official ceremonies?
What is Chief of State
Why do presidential candidates focus heavily on swing states during elections?
What is Because those states can realistically vote either way and determine the overall outcome
What branch of government must confirm Cabinet appointments?
What is the Legislative Branch
Who is third in line for the presidency after the Vice President and Speaker of the House?
Who is the President Pro Tempore
Why did the Framers choose to create one executive rather than a committee of leaders?
What is To ensure decisive leadership and accountability rather than divided or slow decision-making
Give one example of a formal power and one example of an informal power of the President.
What is Formal : issuing vetoes;
Informal: using executive orders or influencing media coverage
Explain how the Electoral College system reflects both federalism and popular sovereignty.
What is Federalism, states have independent electors
Popular sovereignty people indirectly influence electors through voting
Explain the role of the Executive Office of the President (EOP).
What is It provides key support staff to help the President implement policy, manage budgets, and handle national security (e.g., OMB, NSC, CEA)
What law requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops?
What is the War Powers Resolution of 1973
Explain how the “Take Care Clause” demonstrates the President’s constitutional responsibility
What is It requires the President to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” showing their duty to enforce all federal laws passed by Congress
How can each of the three branches of government check the President’s power?
What is Congress can override vetoes or impeach; the Supreme Court can declare actions unconstitutional; public/media can pressure or criticize decisions
True or False It’s possible to win the popular vote but lose the Electoral College. Give one example.
What is True; examples include 2000 (Bush v. Gore) and 2016 (Trump vs. Clinton)
How does the Federal Bureaucracy carry out the will of Congress and the President?
What is By writing regulations, enforcing laws, and managing day-to-day federal operations through departments and agencies
How can the media act as an informal check on presidential power?
What is By investigating and publicizing executive actions, shaping public opinion, and holding leaders accountable
Identify two formal powers granted by Article II, and Explain how the system of checks and balances limits each one.
What is Power to veto and power to appoint officials and Congress can override vetoes and the Senate must confirm appointments
Name three of the President’s “nine roles,” and Provide an example of how one role could conflict with another in real life.
What is Examples include Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief Diplomat, Chief Legislator, Chief Citizen, Chief of Party, Chief Administrator, Chief Economist, Chief of State;
conflict example: Commander in Chief ordering action that the Chief Diplomat role must later defend internationally
What reform proposals have been suggested to change the Electoral College? What are two potential benefits or drawbacks of such changes?
What is National popular vote, proportional systems
Benefits = more equality in votes, higher turnout
Drawbacks = reduces state influence, risk of recount chaos in close elections
Why might the President choose Cabinet members based on diversity or ideology?
AND How can this choice affect policy and public trust?
What is To reflect the nation’s population or gain political loyalty
It can increase representation and support, but may also cause conflicts or partisanship within the administration
Compare Korematsu v. United States (1944) and Trump v. Hawaii (2018) in terms of executive power. AND What lesson do these cases reveal about limits on presidential authority during
What is Both cases involved executive orders restricting groups for national security
Courts often defer to the executive in emergencies but later question overreach, showing tension between security and civil liberties