Introduction
Today, it is impossible to imagine a country without a president. This person is expected to lead the whole nation and complete a number of responsibilities defined by the Constitution and the current legal system. In the United States, the President is not only the head of state and the government but also the commander-in-chief and the chief diplomat who negotiates foreign affairs and makes critical military decisions.
The list of the US President’s roles is long and complex, and it has been changed over time to expand some aspects or impose certain limitations. In most cases, change is a response to focal events, and the changes in presidential responsibilities have clear reasons and explanations. In American history, there were many great Presidents who contributed to the overall image of the US presidency. This essay discusses the main roles of the American President and the changes that have occurred since the 1700s. Compared to the original roles in military, diplomatic, and appointment powers, the current President is responsible for international affairs, policy-making, and executive agreements.
Constitutional Framework and Evolution of Presidential Powers
The main idea of the US presidency is to select the head of state for the next four years. Despite a variety of responsibilities and powers imposed on the President, it is hard to neglect some weaknesses and limitations that have their constitutional origin. The President is chosen by the American people every four years, following the requirements identified in the US Constitution.
According to the Constitution (qtd. in “Presidential Election Process”), a presidential candidate should be a natural-born citizen of the United States, be at least 35 years old, and have lived in the country for the last 14 years. On the one hand, the President has many powers, including armed forces leadership, ambassador reception, and law enforcement. On the other hand, some presidential powers are shared with others, such as making treaties with the Senate or approving legislation with Congress. Such instability in roles and powers can be explained by the President’s intentions to change their positions over time.
George Washington was the first president of the United States, selected unanimously by the Electoral College. He had nothing and no one to compare his presidency with, and his primary role was to figure out how to be a president. Till the middle of the 1900s, there were no specific restrictions on tenure, and the Twenty-Second Amendment was created to eliminate the possibility of presidents extending or reducing their presidency for personal reasons.
The Modern Expansion of Presidential Roles and Influence
The US founders identified four primary areas of power for the US President: military (to protect citizens), diplomatic (to make treaties with foreigners), appointment (to choose people for specific positions), and legislative (to veto legislation) (“The Evolution of the Presidency”). The President is responsible for ensuring that the conditions under which the population lives are safe and secure. To complete this goal, it is also vital to ensure fair and beneficial international relations and support. The right people on board define the course of action, and it is also the responsibility of the President. The Constitution was permanent, its rules were indisputable, and the presidents followed the norms and standards to meet the population’s expectations.
Today, the way presidents work differs a bit from the original idea of the US government. In addition to the already identified goals and responsibilities, the current President has obtained new powers and resources. A new role as Chief of Party is unofficial, but the President has to be affiliated with the Democratic or Republican party and gain support.
The Impact and Justification for the Expanded Presidency
As Chief Legislator, the President cannot make laws. Still, it is possible to veto them, and Andrew Jackson was one of those who used that right extensively to be favored by the masses (“The Evolution of the Presidency”). Policy-making is not a direct responsibility of the President, but as Chief Administrator and Chief Executive, he can lead the executive branch and offer new ideas. Abraham Lincoln supported this change to jail people due to disloyalty, Theodore Roosevelt to formulate new bills, and Franklin Roosevelt to stabilize the economy through the New Deal program (“The Evolution of the Presidency”). All these changes do not contradict the original responsibilities but significantly extend the President’s impact.
The overall impact of changes is primarily positive, either on the President or on Americans. Although the Senate or Congress could experience certain limitations or interruptions in their activities, the idea of considering the US President as the head of the country remains the strongest one. Any nation should have a strong leader who can adjust to a constantly changing environment. As a result, the President’s responsibilities must change over time to ensure all national needs are met and international interests are followed.
Conclusion
In general, the roles of the President of the United States vary, depending on the chosen branch and course. Together with extensive rights and possibilities, the President can offer legislation, but Congress may not accept it. Such controversies of power may explain the necessity of change from time to time. People have access to different approaches to managing changes and making the decisions they want. The President is an official representative of the entire nation, and there is no place for personal ambitions or wants. The President’s role is to develop the country throughout its history.
Works Cited
“The Evolution of the Presidency.” American Government. Web.
“Presidential Election Process.” USA gov. 2023. Web.