American Government

3.2 Article II Executive Branch Article II of the United States Constitution details the organization and the requirements of the exec utive branch. At the head of the executive branch, the power is bestowed up a president who also has a vice president to serve as the chief executives of carrying out the laws of the land. A president nom- inates a group of of�icials known as the Cabinet, they help oversee different areas of everyday life. The requirements to become are that one must be a natural born citizen of the United States of Amer- ica, at least thirty- �ive years of age, and be a resident of the United States for a minimum of fourteen years. This section also includes the rules for electing a president and a vice president, but it has been changed over the course of time. When we examine the twelfth amendment later in this study guide, we will discuss the presidential election process. Article II section two details the powers that are given to the President of the United States of Amer- ica. The president is given the power not only to carry out the laws of the nation, but the president is also the commander in chief of the armed forces. As head of the military, the president can decide where, when, and how to use the military. Even though the president controls the military, the power of declaring war against another nation is a power held by Congress as a check to the power of the president. The president also has the power to pardon someone from most federal crimes as well as appoint numerous of�icials to the executive and judicial bra nches. If Congress approves the nominations, the president can appoint federal judges, the Cabinet, and ambassadors. The president can also make treaties with other nations as long as Congress approves the action. These powers are a lot within the hands of one person, which is why all of these actions require the approval of Congress to ensure these powers don’t go unchecked. Lastly, in Article II of the United States Constitution, covers the role of the president delivering a State of the Union address to Congress as well as what happens to a president if he or she needs to be removed from of�ice. In cases of impeachment, the House of Representatives acts as the prosecution and the Senate acts as the jury. 3.3 Article III Judicial Branch Article III of the United States Constitution establishes the highest court of the land which is called the United States Supreme Court. There aren’t any speci�ic quali�ications to become a supreme court j ustice, but a justice must be nominated by the President of the United States and con�irmed by the Senate. Also, the Supreme Court of the United States has original jurisdiction , or the ability to hear a case �irst over other course in cases that involve ambassadors, consuls, public ministers, and cases where

©2020

Achieve Test Prep

Page 15 of 32