US election: How much power does the US president have?
Whoever sits in the Oval Office in the White House calls the shots — or so it's thought. But the powers of the American president are limited, with other branches of government also getting a say.
So says the US Constitution
A president is elected to a 4-year term, with a limit of two terms. They are both head of state and head of government, with control of the federal executive branch that employs some 4 million people (including military personnel). The president is responsible for implementing laws approved by Congress. As the US' highest diplomat, the president can receive ambassadors, thereby recognizing states.
'Checks and Balances'
The three branches of government — executive, judicial and legislative — are co-decision-makers who reciprocally limit one another's power. The president can pardon people and name federal justices, but Senate approval is needed to confirm them. The president also names Cabinet members and ambassadors — but again, Senate approval is needed. This is one way the legislative controls the executive.
The power of the 'State of the Union'
The president is required to periodically inform Congress about how the country is doing — a requirement that has evolved into the yearly "State of the Union" speech. While the president cannot introduce legislative bills, they can discuss topics and initiatives they would like to see addressed. This is a way to place Congress under public pressure to act, but nothing more.
Can't just say 'No'
The president can veto a bill by sending it back to Congress without signing it. But this veto can be overridden with a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress — the House and the Senate. According to the Senate, only around 111 out of 1,516 presidential vetos have ever been successfully overridden. That's roughly 7%.
The gray areas of power
The Constitution and decisions by the Supreme Court do not entirely define how much power the president has. One quirk known as the "pocket veto" allows the president to simply tuck a bill sent to them by Congress away "into a pocket," thereby keeping it from taking effect. Congress cannot override this second type of veto. This trick has been used over 1,000 times.
Orders that work like law
The president can order government workers to fulfill tasks in a certain manner or to a certain end. Such directives, or "executive orders," have the power of law; no other approval is needed. But this doesn't mean the president can do whatever they want. The courts can overturn an order, or Congress can enact legislation counteracting it. Moreover, the next president can simply revoke it.
Sidestepping Congress
The president may negotiate treaties with other governments, but these then need to be approved by the Senate with a two-thirds majority. The president can bypass this by instead issuing an "executive agreement," which does not require congressional approval. These are valid so long as Congress does not raise objections or pass a law rendering the agreement void.
Hold up there with those troops!
The president is commander in chief of US forces, but Congress declares war. The president can involve troops in armed conflict without Congress' approval, but this remains hazy. For instance, Congress saw the US' growing involvement in the Vietnam War on a resolution basis as going too far; it stepped in via law. In short, the president keeps some competencies only until Congress cuts in.
Ultimate control
If a president misuses the office or commits a crime, the House of Representatives can start impeachment proceedings. This has happened three times over the course of American history, but no one was convicted in the end. However, Congress has an ace up its sleeve: Since it's responsible for approving the budget, it can cut off the nation's cash flow. But citizens may not be happy about this!