The position of being the president of the United States is the most powerful office in the world. The president is the leader of a nation of wealth and great military strength. Unlike most governments around the world, our president is the chief of state and a head of government. Also each and every president has played their own important role in shaping our history. A person who would like to run for president must fit the qualifications. First of all he must be a “natural born” citizen of the United States.
The person must be at least 35 years of age and must have lived in the United States for fourteen years or more. After this the person is then nominated by a national political party convention. Then the person is elected by the vote of the electoral college which is held in December following the election on the first Tuesday in November every four years. The inauguration is held January 20 after election. The president is elected for a four year term but he may not be elected for more than two terms.
The president yearly receives a salary of two hundred thousand dollars. After leaving office he is eligible for a pension of ninety nine thousand five hundred dollars. The daily life of the president is filled with many tasks. Being the chief of state the president performs many public and ceremonial duties. He also must make sure federal laws are enforced. The president also acts as the commander in chief of the nations armed forces and he is in charge of the national defense. The president is in charge of determining United States relations with other countries.
The executive branch of the federal government is run by the president. The branch consists of thirteen executive departments, and over one hundred independent agencies. Almost three million civilian employees and two million members of the armed forces are included in the executive branch. Over the years the presidents responsibilities have increased. Court decisions, customs, laws and other developments have expanded the presidents responsibilities and powers. Different powers are used by the president to carry out his administrative duties.
There are hundreds of laws that give the president emergency powers. This means that the president has special authority to prevent or end a national emergency. The president can also give executive orders. Executive orders have the force of a law that are issued through directions, proclamations or statements by the president. They require no action by congress. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which was on of the most famous executive orders ever. It declared freedom for all slaves in the areas under the confederate controll.