Acts on behalf of the president, serves as President of the Senate, replaces a president that can no longer serve.
responsibilities are delegated by the president
Secretaries: The head officers of the 15 Cabinets departments
State Departments: Promotes US Foreign Policy around the globe. Oversees embassies and ambassadors
Defense Department: Aligns all military branches under one command - headed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon
Federal Agencies: Sub-Cabinet entities, like the FDA, the IRS, and the FBI
Personal advisors and employees of the president who do not need Senate approval
Chief of Staff: Head of Staff, manages daily operations of the White House
Other Examples: Press Secretary, Chief Legal Counsel, National Security Advisor
Inherent Powers: Those not explicitly listed, but are within the role of the executive
The Senate & President Appointees: The Senate approves all Cabinet, Military, Civilian Officials, and Judicial Appointments
Senate Standoffs: The Senate will contest controversial appointments (John Tower (1989), Betsy DeVas (2017)
Ambassador Appointments: Presidents will often appoint people who have donated heavily to their campaigns
Removal: Executive-branch officals can be removed by the president, but there have been concerns about the lack of a “check” by another branch
President enforcing Judicial orders: best example — school desegregation with the Little Rock Nine (Brown v Board)
Judicial Appointments: The president appoints all federal judges (life-terms). Senate stand-offs are more likely here when approving judicial appointments.