Who May Be President?

1. Who May Be President? • Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution: • Must be a “natural born Citizen.” • Must be at least 35 years old. • Must have lived in the U.S. for at least fourteen years. • No term limit until 1951 - 22nd Amendment restricts a president to two terms in office.

2. The Twenty-fifth Amendment Sections 1-3 • Section 1 • If President Dies or Resigns: • Vice President becomes President • Section 2 • When there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President: • President nominates a new Vice President who takes office once confirmed by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress. • Section 3 • When President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House his written declaration that he is unable to discharge powers and duties of office: • Vice President becomes Acting President until President transmits another written declaration to the contrary.

3. The Twenty-fifth Amendment Section 4 • Section 4 • Whenever a Vice President and a majority of the principal officers of the executive departments OR other body that Congress may by law provide, transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President immediately becomes Acting President. • The President may transmit his written declaration than no inability exists. • HOWEVER, if the Vice President and a majority of principal officers of the executive department or such other body as Congress provides, transmit within four days their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of this office - • THEN, Congress must meet within 48 hours and decide the issue within 21 days after meeting. They decide by two-thirds vote of both Houses.

4. Impeachment: House of Representatives Impeachment is formal accusation or indictment. For charges of “Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Articles of Impeachment list charges. If articles are adopted by a majority vote in the House, the president is impeached. Trial: The U.S. Senate The Senate sits as the trial court. Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court presides over the trial of a president. Two-thirds vote required for conviction and removal from office. Presidents: Impeachment and Trial

5. Public Expectations The Symbolic President Managing Crises Providing Policy Leadership Managing the Economy Managing the Government The Global President Constitutional Powers Chief Administrator Chief Legislator Chief Diplomat Commander-in-Chief Chief of State Presidential Roles

6. Congress and the President • Congress can override a presidential veto with 2/3 vote in both houses. • Congress can Impeach the President. • Only Congress can appropriate money. • Important presidential nominations must be confirmed by the Senate. • President must “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.”

7. The President’s Political Resources • Reputation for Power • Popularity • Access to Media • Party Leadership

8. The White House Staff • Provides president with advice on multiple policy domains. • Monitors the operations of executive departments and agencies. • Evaluates the performance of key executive officials. • Sets the president’s schedule. • Protects the president from scandal, political blunders, and errors of judgment.