Executive Branch The President Executive Branch The branch

Executive Branch The President

Executive Branch • The branch of government responsible for executing or enforcing the laws.

Term of Office • The president’s term of office is 4 years, with a maximum of 2 terms. (22 nd amendment)

Presidential Succession • The order in which officials fill the office of the President in case of a vacancy. • Vice President • Speaker of the House • President Pro-tempore of the Senate • Secretary of State • Secretary of the Treasury

Cabinet • Advisory council for the president, consisting of the heads of the executive departments (secretaries) the vice president and a few other officials selected by the president.

Joint Chiefs of Staff • Highest ranking military officers of the navy, army and the air force who advise the president on military matters.

Press secretary • Senior White House staff – primary responsibility is to act as a spokesperson for the U. S. government, especially in regard to the president, senior executives and policies.

Chief of Staff • The head of the White House staff

Attorney General • The chief legal officer of a nation or state.

State of the Union Address • The president’s annual statement to a joint session of Congress and the nation.

Domestic policy • Plans for dealing with national problems.

Mandate • A formal order given by a higher authority.

Executive order • A directive issued by the President that has the force of law

Reprieve • The postponement of a legal punishment

Pardon • A release from legal punishment

Commutation • Presidential judicial power to make a convicted persons sentence less severe

Amnesty • A group pardon to individuals that offense against the government.

Covert • Secret

Executive privilege • The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Impeachment • Formal accusation against the president or other public official. The first step in removal from office.

Bureaucracy • An organization of government departments, agencies and offices.