The President's Many Roles

All military generals and admirals take their orders from the President. Has authority over the military’s actions; in charge of the U.S. armed forces; decides where troops shall be stationed, where ships shall be sent, how weapons shall be used; lone authority to launch nuclear weapons.

• Commander in Chief

• Chief of State

• Chief Executive

• Chief Diplomat

orders military operations and decides when to remove troops

• Commander in Chief

• Chief of State

• Chief Executive

• Chief Diplomat

keeps the nation safe and defended at all times

• Commander in Chief

• Chief of State

• Chief Executive

• Chief Diplomat

activates the National Guard or active troops to stop domestic uprisings

• Commander in Chief

• Chief of State

• Chief Executive

• Chief Diplomat

Does the job as laid out in the Constitution; has the power to enforce the laws that Congress has passed and lead the nation; has broad power in both domestic affairs and foreign affairs.

• Chief of Party

• Chief Executive

• Chief Legislator

• Chief Administrator

grants pardons

• Chief of Party

• Chief Executive

• Chief Legislator

• Chief Administrator

appoints a head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

• Chief of Party

• Chief Executive

• Chief Legislator

• Chief Administrator

issues executive orders that send directives to departments and agencies to do (or stop) an action

• Chief of Party

• Chief Executive

• Chief Legislator

• Chief Administrator

holds a Cabinet meeting to discuss federal business

• Chief of Party

• Chief Executive

• Chief Legislator

• Chief Administrator

reads FBI reports

• Chief of Party

• Chief Executive

• Chief Legislator

• Chief Administrator