How Presidential Power and Role Expanded
Toward A More Perfect Union: Introduction to American Government Third Edition by Patrick Coaty Edited by Gordon Babst
Journal Assignments
Journal assignments are extra credit. If a student hands in all four journals they will earn full credit. A completed assignment will be two pages. Again, I would like to see a structured argument and demonstration of your personalization of the material. PLEASE DO NOT COPY DIRECTLY FROM THE BOOK. PLEASE NO QUOTES.
4 Read Chapter 10 in More Perfect Union, Louisiana Purchase Treaty, Gettysburg Address, Theodore Roosevelt's Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, Executive Order 9066: Resulting in the Relocation of the Japanese, Executive Order 10730: Desecration of Central High School, Executive Order 10924: Establishment of the Peace Corp, and The Presidency Learning Modules. Question: How has Presidential Power and the role of the President Expanded? Journal entry must be a minimum of two (2) pages in length to receive credit.
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How has Presidential Power and the role of the President Expanded?
The power of the president is a controversial issue in the United States since there has always been the tendency of sitting presidents to increase their executive powers. Presidential powers are always opposed by the congress and the Judiciary is opposed to decisions that presidents make. For example, the American congress and the judiciary clashed with former presidents Clinton and Bush administration over issues around executive privileges, presidential impeachment and the war on terror. With this trend, it means that the current president may also be tempted to follow the line given the challenges the president faces on Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea and the country’s economic crisis.
According to Coaty, (2013) it is actually unconstitutional for a sitting president to make decisions that are far beyond his jurisdiction. For example, the president is not allowed to make war policy without consulting the congress first even if he is the commander in chief as outlined in the American constitution. In fact, this is much of concern to other members of the congress who believe that the military should as well report to the congress and not only to the president. The president is supposed to only act in place of the country after receiving consent from the congress (Coaty, 2013).
Looking at the American History, the presidential powers have gradually expanded in the roles he plays in national security planning, war, and domestic and foreign policy. American presidents have been responsible for deliberately sparking war and seeking congress approval after they have already authorized the deployment of the army. Moreover, they are the commander in chief; the Army will strictly follow the president’s command. This is evidenced by President Harry Truman, who se...