Presidential powers
The president’s role as head of the military is known as
Commander-in-Chief
This amendment protects both the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause.
What is the First Amendment?
This branch confirms federal judges.
What is the Senate?
This philosophy interprets the Constitution based on the framers’ original intent.
What is originalism?
This branch of government contains the federal bureaucracy.
What is the executive branch?
The “bully pulpit” refers to the president’s ability to
Influence public opinion
In Engel v. Vitale (1962), the Court ruled that this school practice was unconstitutional.
What is school-sponsored prayer?
This term describes judges who are willing to overturn laws and expand rights.
What is judicial activism?
This approach argues the Constitution should adapt to modern society.
What is the Living Constitution?
This system hires government workers based on qualifications and exams.
What is the merit system?
The term “bully pulpit” was popularized by
Theodore Roosevelt
Engel v. Vitale involved this specific clause of the First Amendment.
What is the Establishment Clause?
This philosophy emphasizes respecting precedent and avoiding striking down laws unnecessarily.
What is judicial restraint?
This interpretive style favors a narrow reading of the Constitution.
What is strict constructionism?
This older system of hiring based on political loyalty is also known as the spoils system.
What is patronage?
When a president reduces a prison sentence but does not erase the conviction, this specific power is being used.
What is a commutation?
In Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972), Amish families argued that compulsory schooling violated this constitutional protection.
What is the Free Exercise Clause?
Increasing ideological divisions in judicial confirmations are described by this term.
What is political polarization?
This interpretive style allows for implied powers and a broader reading of the Constitution.
What is loose constructionism?
These individuals are appointed by the president and often change when a new president takes office.
What are political appointees?
This presidential power allows forgiveness for federal crimes but does NOT apply to state crimes.
What is the pardon power?
Wisconsin v. Yoder established that when laws burden religion, the state must show this high level of justification.
What is a compelling government interest?
This constitutional process allows Congress to remove a federal judge for misconduct.
What is impeachment and conviction?
This legal principle means courts follow previous rulings when deciding new cases.
What is stare decisis?
This 1883 law reformed the federal workforce by creating a merit-based civil service system.
What is the Pendleton Civil Service Act?