Executive Branch: The Basics
There is rarely a shortage of headlines about whoever is holding the office of President of the United States… but how well do you actually know the role and responsibilities?
Let’s dive in and explore the basics of the executive branch, including the job description for the CEO of the multi-trillion operation that is United States, Inc.
What’s the primary responsibility of the executive branch?
This branch of government is headed by a single executive (unlike the legislative and judicial branches). Here’s his or her list of duties:
- Execute laws passed by Congress, including staffing and overseeing agencies/departments that carry out these laws.
- Command the U.S. military and national defense (only Congress can officially declare war, though Presidents can still use military force at their own discretion).
- Manage the country’s foreign relationships, negotiate treaties, and appoint ambassadors to represent Uncle Sam abroad.
- Grant pardons/commutations for federal offenses.
Who supports the President?
The President is supported by a team of advisors, known as the Cabinet, which is made up of the heads of 15 executive departments (for example, State, Defense, Treasury, and Justice). These secretaries oversee the day-to-day administration of their respective departments, advise the President, and implement the administration’s policy.
Should something happen to the President, there’s an established line of succession as long as a journey through Leviticus feels. Here’s who would take the reins if the President becomes “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office”:
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House
- President Pro Tempore of the Senate (typically the longest-serving member of the majority party)
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of the Treasury
- Secretary of Defense
- Attorney General
- Secretary of the Interior
- Secretary of Agriculture
- Secretary of Commerce
- Secretary of Labor
- Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Secretary of Transportation
- Secretary of Energy
- Secretary of Education
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- Secretary of Homeland Security
FAQs
What is an executive order?
The President can issue executive orders to direct federal agencies and officials in their operations and to clarify how Congress’ laws should be implemented. Executive orders can only address matters within the scope of the President’s constitutional authority and can’t override other laws. They have the force of law and don’t require congressional approval, but executive orders aren’t permanent—they can be modified or revoked by future Presidents.
How do presidential pardons and commutations work?
The Constitution gives the president the authority to remove or reduce the legal consequences for federal crimes called “clemency”; this power does not apply to state crimes (which can usually be pardoned solely by that state’s governor) or impeachments by Congress.
A pardon legally erases a conviction, restoring all civil liberties and preventing the person from being prosecuted. A commutation reduces a sentence, either partially or totally, but does not change the conviction or imply innocence.
How do Congress and the courts check the power of the executive branch?
Congress can impeach and remove the president, override presidential vetoes by a two-thirds majority in each chamber, and the Senate can reject presidential appointments. The judiciary branch can rule presidential actions unlawful or unconstitutional, limiting the reach of executive power.
What’s a Designated Survivor?
At events where most members of the executive branch and Congress are present—like State of the Union addresses and presidential inaugurations—one person within the presidential line of succession (typically a cabinet member) is chosen by the President to be absent from the event and kept at an undisclosed secure location. The procedure started during the Cold War to safeguard governmental succession; in case of a catastrophe, the surviving official highest in the line of succession would become acting President of the United States.
Eternal Perspective
The main function of the executive is to lead the U.S. government and military and manage foreign affairs, making the President one of the most powerful people in the world. But the power of America’s CEO is not even worth comparing with the power of our Creator. His will is always perfectly accomplished; he leads in wisdom as a servant; he doesn’t have a term limit, and the whole universe is his.
“I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted.”
Job 42:2 (CSB) (read full passage)
This is part of our civics series, created to help Christians grow in understanding and compassion on key issues.
Last Updated: December 12, 2024
