Roles of presidency in the United States - Essay Example

Roles of presidency in the United s The presidency in the United s is the top most executive position that any individual can hold within the country. This position is not only vested with powers, but also with some prestige that the occupant of the position enjoys as well as some responsibilities that the occupant must execute. Section 1 of Article II of the United States constitution provides for the position of the presidency in the United States, as an elective position that shall be occupied through the election of the occupant by a popular majority (Grant, 21). This article of the constitution also vests certain powers in the position of the presidency of the United States, which are elaborated commencing section 2 of article II of the constitution. Thus, the first power that is vested in the presidency of the United States is the position of the commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy of the United States (Reagan, 7). Under this power, the presidency can direct that the USA enters into war with another country through commanding the army and the navy to invade the territory, although after the approval of the congress. The presidency is also the commander of the militia under different states, on the event that such militias have been called upon to the service of the United States. Under the powers vested in the presidency of the United Sates, the occupant of that position has the powers to pardon any offence against the United States, except under the case of impeachment (Grant, 47). The other power vested in the presidency in the United States is the powers to constitute a government and to spearhead the implementation of the government agendas. Thus, under these powers, the presidency plays the role of appointing the top government officials who include the ministers responsible for different departments, as well as the appointment of the judge of the Supreme Court and the different ambassadors to various regions of the world, with the approval of two-thirds of the senate (Bumiller, 132). The presidency is also responsible for entering into treaties with different nations and other relevant authorities and organizations globally, backed by the consent of two-thirds of the senate. Additionally, the presidency in the United States is vested with the powers to oversee the control of the legislative body in the country, where by the presidency can adjourn the sittings of both houses of parliament in the country, on the event that such adjournment is deemed necessary and justifiable under certain reasons (Grant, 27). However, he is responsible to the United States parliament, where he is required to give relevant information regarding the nation from time to time, where he has the powers to convene the two houses or either of the houses under extraordinary circumstances that are of great interest to the country. Further, the presidency in the United States is vested with the responsibility of receiving the public ministers, ambassadors and other public officers, while at the same time being responsible for commissioning all the officers of the United States (Reagan, 12). The other power vested in the presidency of the United States is the legislative powers, where the occupant of the presidency is the chief legislator in the country (Bumiller, 136). Thus, the presidency of the United States, as the chief legislator, can sign a bill into law or veto bills that have been passed by the congress, based on how the presidency deems necessary, even though both houses has the powers to overturn the vetoing of the bill by the president using a two-thirds majority vote. The presidency in the United States is also vested with the privilege of using the Air Force One plane during his travels, which is reserved as the plane for the travel of the president to different destinations. In addition, the presidency has the privilege to use the Marine One and the Presidential limousine when travelling on water and land respectively, which are some prestige reserved only for the occupant of this office. The other privilege reserved for the presidency in the United States, which is also a responsibility, is the one for awarding the high status awards of recognition and patriotism in the country such as the winners of college scholarships and astronauts (Reagan, 14). The presidency in the United States is also vested with the privilege of making a patriotism speech on every Fourth of July, which serves as a commemoration of the declaration of independence and patriotism in the country. The presidency of the United States is also vested with the responsibility of overseeing the security of the country, through appointing the heads of the federal security agencies such as the CIA and the FBI (Reagan, 24). Under the same powers, the presidency in the United States is also vested with the powers to chair the security meetings in the country, as well as the powers to call security meetings and be briefed on different security issues in the country. Additionally, the presidency in the United States determines the diplomatic direction that the country will take, through appointing the diplomats, ambassadors and other foreign representatives, while also determining the foreign policies that such diplomats will enact in the countries they represent (Grant, 41). Outside of the government powers and responsibilities, the presidency in the United States is the chief of political party that sponsored him into the presidency, and thus is responsible for representing the ideals of the party both in the government and at the party level (Reagan, 33). The president also supports the party through supporting the legislatures and other party representatives during their respective elections, who in turn supports the president during the presidential election. The presidency in the United States also plays the role of the chief economic officer of the United States, through determining the major economic policies that the government in power at the moment will adapt. In this respect, the presidency shapes the nature of the taxation policies, the inflation and the unemployment measures that the economy will adapt in order to enhance the stability of the USA economy (Grant, 54). While the presidency does not control the economy, he is responsible for helping streamline the economic policies that his government will adapt, so that the economy can run smoothly. The presidency of the United States is also vested with the powers of influencing the nature of the judiciary, through having the powers to appoint the federal judges and the judges of appeal (Bumiller, 147). Even though the presidency can orient the judiciary towards a certain ideological stance, it is still difficult for the presidency to fully influence the judiciary, since the approval of the senate is necessary, which has often proven difficult for many presidents. The privilege not to be tried under any court of law is another privilege that is vested in the presidency of the United States, since the president cannot be tried in a court of law while still in office (Bumiller, 137). Additionally, the presidency in the United States has the powers to conceal certain information from the judiciary or any public body; on the event that such information is considered to be critical for national security. The judicial powers of the presidency also extend to the pardoning of different offenders who have already been committed to judicial sentencing, through the application of the privilege of the presidential prerogative (Reagan, 8). Granting pardons and reprieves for different prisoners is a preserve that the presidency of the United State holds, though it has always remained controversial, owing to the political interests that are read in such prerogatives. Works Cited Bumiller, Elisabeth. "Inside the Presidency". National Geographic 215(1):2009. 130–149. Print. Grant, Alan R. The American Political Process. Psychology Press, 2004. Print. Reagan, Ronald. Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan. Best Boks, 1984. Print. Read More