The Roles of the President
Once elected and sworn into office, the President moves into the White House for the next four years. While living and working in the White House, the president performs many roles. These include: Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Administrator, Chief Diplomat, Commander-in-Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, and Chief Citizen.
The Constitution gives the president direct power over all branches of the military as Commander-in-Chief. The authority to declare war lies with the legislative branch, but the president can request and then sign declarations of war drafted by Congress.
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln met with generals and visited troops in camp. Other presidents exercised their authority as Commander-in-Chief even when the nation was not engaged in a conflict.
In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent soldiers to Little Rock, Arkansas, providing protection for the first African American children who attended the newly desegregated Central High School.
Along with managing the armed forces, the president heads the entire executive branch of the federal government as Chief Administrator. The executive branch is more than just the White House. This branch is made up of many different departments and agencies, such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture.
Also a part of leading the executive branch, the president is Chief Executive, enforcing the laws of the nation. To help with this enormous task, the president has the power to appoint a group of advisors known as the Cabinet. George Washington had only four official cabinet members. Today there are 24 Cabinet Level positions which meet in the Cabinet Room in the West Wing.
The first woman appointed to a Cabinet-level position was Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. She was instrumental in helping Roosevelt carry out the New Deal, which put millions of people back to work during the Great Depression.
In the role of Chief Legislator, the president does not write the laws of the nation; that is the job of Congress. However, the president has the authority to either sign a bill or veto a bill, which will prevent it from becoming a law. Presidents also advise Congress on their legislative goals, usually in a speech called the State of the Union. Some of the many examples of bill signings include William Howard Taftā€™s signing New Mexico into statehood in 1912 and Ronald Reaganā€™s proclaiming the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a national holiday in 1983.
As Chief Diplomat, the president determines how the United States and its diplomats interact with other countries. The president hosts State Visits, where foreign leaders visit the president at the White House. In 1860, James Buchanan welcomed the first delegation of officials from Japan and ratified a Treaty of Amity and Commerce. People were so eager to see these visitors in the East Room that some even stood on pieces of furniture.
Sometimes presidential decisions are influenced by their political party affiliation. These political parties help the presidential candidates campaign and win supporters around the country. Once elected, the president then helps others campaign through the role known as Chief of Party. In this unofficial position, the president acts as the leader of their political party and supports other governmental candidates who support the same policies.
Probably the most visible presidential role is Chief of State. In this position, the president serves as the public face and figure head of the country. An example of this is when the president hosts the ceremonial events such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom reception. This award is the highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially significant contributions to the nation and world.
Finally, it is important to remember that the president is also a citizen. Acting as Chief Citizen, the president represents all citizens and sets an example for civic behavior in times of peace and crisis. During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson kept sheep on the White House lawn, benefiting the Red Cross through the donation of their wool and serving as a highly visible symbol of home front support. He hoped to encourage all Americans to give to the war effort in whatever way they could.
Presidents have many roles and responsibilities, and they must perform all of these simultaneously during their term in office. Despite challenges, history shows how presidents can use their position to create great and lasting changes for our nation. This opportunity to be a part of history is what drives many to seek the office of the President of the United States.