Executive Branch

The Executive Branch of the United States Government is tasked with enforcing federal law. This branch is led by a president, who is elected by citizens of the United States. The president is supported by a vice president, cabinet members, and other heads of departments. All departments, such as the Department of State, Department of Justice (F.B.I.), Department of Homeland Security, Department of Education, and et cetera are all subject to the authority of the President of the United States. These departments help the president enforce all federal law passed by congress.

The President of the United States is elected every four years. Presidents are only allowed to serve two terms for a total of 8 years. If a vice president assumes the presidency more than half way through a term, then he or she is eligible for a total of 10 years. Presidents must be natural born citizens in the United States. Furthermore, presidents must be a minimum of 35 years of age. Finally, presidents must have been a resident in the United States for at least the past 14 years.

Current President of the United States Barack Obama

The President of the United States is given certain powers to enforce law. Although, Congress is given the right to declare war, the President is the commander-in-chief of all military agencies. As commander-in-chief of the military, the President wields enormous power. For example, the President is in command of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, The United States Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps, and many other organizations. With the advent of the National Security clause, the President may command any of his supporting departments to engage in any activity, even if the activity is forbidden by law (Special operations of a clandestine nature is an example of how the President uses the National Security clause to surpass legal restrictions). The President is also given the authority to make appointments to positions such as the Supreme Court and other departments. As a result, the President is often referred to as the most powerful human on Earth. In one sense this accurate; but when considering that the peoples' representatives in congress have the power to impeach the president, one must not forget that the office of the presidency belongs to the people and that he or she is your public employee.