Executive Branch Basics
Powers of the President
Roles of the President
Key Personnel & Agencies
Checks & Balances
Succession & Scenarios
Spooky Pop Culture
100

This branch of government enforces laws, rather than interpreting them.

What is the Executive Branch?

100

The President’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

What is a veto?

100

When the President appoints a new ambassador to France, he is acting as this.

What is Chief Diplomat?

100

This Cabinet member oversees the military and national security.

Who is the Secretary of Defense (War)?

100

Congress can check the President’s power by doing this if he commits high crimes or misdemeanors.

What is impeachment and removal?

100

If both the President and Vice President are unable to serve, this person is next in line.

Who is the Speaker of the House?

100

This Disney Channel movie series follows Marnie Piper as she discovers she’s a witch and travels to a magical town every Halloween.

What is Halloweentown?

200

This person is the head of the Executive Branch at the federal level.

Who is the President of the United States?

200

An executive order carries the force of law and does not require this group’s approval.

What is Congress?

200

When the President hosts a state dinner for a visiting leader, he is acting as this.

What is Head of State?

200

This Cabinet member advises the President on foreign policy.

Who is the Secretary of State?

200

The Senate checks the President’s power to appoint federal judges through this process.

What is confirmation?

200

Deploying troops to assist with a natural disaster illustrates the President in this role.

What is Commander-in-Chief?

200

This character, who wears a hockey mask, is the infamous villain from the Friday the 13th movie franchise.

Who is Jason Voorhees?

300

This is NOT a core function of the Executive Branch: enforcing laws, declaring war, or implementing policies.

What is declaring war?

300

This power allows the President to keep certain communications confidential.

What is executive privilege?

300

When the President issues an order directing agencies to prioritize energy efficiency, he is acting as this.

What is Chief Executive?

300

This key staff member manages the daily operations of the White House.

Who is the White House Chief of Staff?

300

This check prevents the President from declaring a law unconstitutional by himself.

What is judicial review (done by the courts)?

300

This person is third in line to the presidency, following the Vice President and the Speaker of the House.  

Who is the President Pro Tempore of the Senate?  

300

This Tim Burton movie features Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town.

What is The Nightmare Before Christmas?

400

This official’s main constitutional duty is presiding over the Senate and casting tie-breaking votes.

Who is the Vice President?

400

The President’s judicial power to grant a _______ that provides official forgiveness for a crime and its consequences.

What is a Pardon?

400

A presidential directive that clarifies or further implements existing legislation.

What is an executive order?

400

This Cabinet member serves as the nation’s chief diplomat and is responsible for managing U.S. foreign affairs.  

Who is the Secretary of State?

400

This group has the power to approve or reject treaties negotiated by the President.  

What is the Senate?  

400

The President acts in this role when signing a bill into law.

What is Chief Legislator?

400

In the 1993 film Hocus Pocus, the Sanderson Sisters are brought back to life in this New England city.

What is Salem?

500

The principle that prevents the Executive Branch from having absolute authority over all government functions.

What is separation of powers?

500

The process by which a President can be removed for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."

What is impeachment?

500

This role gives the President authority as leader of the U.S. armed forces.

What is Commander-in-Chief?

500

This department’s main responsibility is protecting the nation from terrorism and other threats.

What is the Department of Homeland Security?

500

Issuing an executive order that contradicts an existing law passed by Congress would likely be considered this.

What is an overreach of power?

500

If the President is unable to serve and the Vice President takes over, this person becomes the new Vice President.

Who is nominated by the President and confirmed by Congress?

500

This Netflix series, set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, features kids battling supernatural creatures from the “Upside Down.”

What is Stranger Things?