Key Vocabulary
Mandate
What is an authorization to do something given by a higher authority?
These presidential powers are clearly written in the Constitution and include making treaties and appointing judges.
What are constitutional powers?
These are powers not explicitly written in the Constitution but claimed by the president to carry out duties.
What are inherent powers?
This is the right of the president or high-ranking officials to withhold sensitive information from Congress or the courts.
What is executive privilege?
Presidential powers are checked by these three groups.
What are Congress, the courts, and the Constitution?
Impeach
What is to make an accusation of misconduct in office?
This system prevents abuse of power by allowing each branch of government to limit the others.
What is checks and balances?
This term describes agreements made between the president and foreign leaders without Senate approval.
What are executive agreements?
Executive privilege is considered part of this principle that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful.
What is separation of powers?
This action by Congress can stop a president’s veto.
What is overriding a veto?
Inherent Power
What is the powers that are not clearly stated in the Constitution yet have been claimed by the president?
This constitutional power allows the president to lead the nation’s armed forces.
What is Commander in Chief?
This 1803 decision by President Thomas Jefferson involved purchasing land from France, even though the Constitution did not clearly state he could.
What is the Louisiana Purchase?
This type of information might be protected by executive privilege to keep the country safe.
What is national security information or military plans?
These investigations can gather facts about the president’s actions and may lead to impeachment.
What are Congressional investigations?
Contemporary
What exists during the same period of time as something else?
This presidential power allows the president to reject bills passed by Congress.
What is the veto power?
Why was the Louisiana Purchase considered an example of inherent powers?
What is because the Constitution did not explicitly allow it, but the president believed it was necessary to carry out presidential duties?
Executive privilege matters in a democracy because it allows the president to do their job while still being checked by these.
What are other branches of government?
If public opinion strongly disagrees with a president, it can limit their power. This happened to President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 because of his handling of this war.
What is the Vietnam War?
Executive privilege
What is the right that is given to a high-ranking executive offers like the president, to refuse to testify before Congress or a court?
This term refers to specific authorities and responsibilities granted to the branches of government to ensure limited, ordered governance.
What are constitutional powers?
This reason explains why presidents use inherent powers even though they are not written in the Constitution.
What is to carry out presidential duties when the Constitution is unclear?
Executive privilege protects sensitive information but still makes sure the president is held responsible. This is called balancing what two things?
What are LEADERSHIP and responsibility?
Limits on presidential power are important in a democracy because they ensure the president is held accountable and cannot abuse this.
What is power?