Exploring Executive Orders

Within the executive branch itself, the President has broad powers to manage national affairs and the priorities of the government. The President can issue rules, regulations, and instructions (called executive orders), which have the binding force of law upon federal agencies but do not require approval of the United States Congress. Executive orders are subject to judicial review and interpretation.

The powers of the President include those granted by Article II of the U.S. Constitution, Acts of Congress, implied powers, and a great deal of soft power that is attached to the presidency.  The Constitution explicitly assigns the President the power to sign or veto legislation, command the armed forces, ask for the written opinion of their Cabinet, convene or adjourn Congress, grant reprieves and pardons, and receive ambassadors. The President oversees federal law execution by directing and removing executive officers. The President may make treaties, which need to be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate, and is accorded those foreign-affairs functions not otherwise granted to Congress or shared with the Senate. Thus, the president can control the formation and communication of foreign policy and can direct the nation's diplomatic corps. The president may also appoint Article III judges and some officers with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. In the condition of a Senate recess, the president may make a temporary appointment.