US President, Democratic Primary
The leader of the federal government
Full office description
- The President is the leader of the federal Executive Branch. They are primarily responsible for implementing and enforcing laws written by Congress.
- The President influences the national laws and regulations by proposing legislation and winning support from members of Congress. They can also veto legislation that was approved by Congress, which can only then be overridden by a two-thirds vote.
- The President can pass executive orders without the approval of Congress. Examples of historic executive orders include Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves, and Franklin Roosevelt's establishment of internment camps during World War II.
- The President is the Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Only Congress can declare war, but the President plays a key role in deciding when and where to deploy troops, even when war hasn't been declared. The President also has sole nuclear launch authority.
- The President appoints and manages the Vice President and their Cabinet, which includes the heads of 15 executive departments that impact a wide range of issues, including agriculture, education, housing, and transportation.
- Outside of their official powers, the President can act as a leader to the American public, as seen in moments of crisis, like Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats during the Great Depression. Additionally, their advocacy for certain policies or social issues can shape public opinion and create action, similar to how President John F. Kennedy galvanized the nation around the space race in the 1960s.
