Just what are those presidential powers? Since President Trump took office and wrote a flurry of executive orders, many have questioned whether he is exceeding his presidential powers. They worry that he and Elon Musk are undermining democracy. According to a recent post the president thinks he can do whatever he wants.
jamelle is correct
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes.bsky.social) February 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
But the United States Constitution, adopted 236 years ago, lays out clearly what a president can do.
Each branch of government has certain powers in a system that the founders of the United States called checks and balances.
Executive
- Nominates cabinet members, administration officials and Supreme Court judges
- Is the commander in chief in times of war
- Vetoes and signs bills into law
- Enforces and administers the laws Congress writes
- Makes treaties with other countries
- Grants pardons
The Legislative Branch or Congress
- Writes the laws
- Sets the tax rate for Americans
- Appropriates and decides how money should be spent
- Approves the president’s appointees
- Declares war
The Judiciary
Supreme Court
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- Oversees laws passed by Congress and the states
- Makes sure that what the president does is constitutional
- Interprets whether laws or proposals violate the constitution.
- Settles disputes between states.
Presidents have historically tangled with congress and the courts over their powers. But for 236 years, they have abided by the U.S. Constitution and the way that the courts interpreted the law.
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