20 Facts About The Executive Branch 

20 Facts About The Executive Branch 

“The separation of powers among the three branches of government is not a mere matter of convenience or organizational structure. It is a vital safeguard against tyranny and an essential feature of a functioning democracy.” – Sandra Day O’Connor – Retired Justice of The Supreme Court of the United States.

There are 3 independent arms of government. The executive, legislature, and judiciary. Each branch has its functions spelled out in the constitution and acts as a check on the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful or abusive. This system helps maintain the rule of law, protect individual rights, and ensure that the government serves the best interests of the people. 

In this article, we will focus on the executive branch, which is complex and powerful, playing a vital role in the day-to-day lives of the people. This is because it is responsible for carrying out the laws of the land and ensuring the safety and security of the nation. Here are 20 facts about the executive branch. 

1. The Head Of The Executive Branch Is The President 

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The President is the head of the Executive Branch which is a very powerful branch of government. Though the president of the United States is a very powerful and influential figure, the executive is still subject to checks and balances by the legislative and judicial branches. 

As earlier stated, the executive branch is vital because it is responsible for carrying out the laws of the land and ensuring the safety and security of the nation. 

2. One Cannot Head The Executive Branch Until After Their 35th Birthday 

For one to vie for the presidency in the U.S., they must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, meaning they must have been born on U.S. soil or born to U.S. citizen parents if born elsewhere. Other constitutional requirements are, they must be at least 35 years old and must have resided in the country for at least 14 years. 

These qualifications are outlined in the U.S. Constitution but it should be noted that there is no upper age limit. One can be president at any age just not less than 35 years.  

3. The Presidential Term Is Four Years 

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According to the Constitution of the United States, a president is elected to serve a four-year term in office and can only do two terms max. The term begins on January 20th of the following year after the November presidential election.

For example, the past presidential election was held in November 2020, so the winning candidate’s term began on the 20th day of January 2021.  

4. Only 45 Men Have Served As Presidents So Far 

By 2023, 45 men have headed the executive. However, the sitting president, Joe Biden, is said to be the 46th not 45th president of the United States. How is it that there have been 46 presidencies but 45 presidents you ask? Well, this is because Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms, 1885 to 1889 and 1893 to 1897, so he is considered the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. 

Sadly, no woman has ever headed the executive branch since 1789 and only one of the 45 men was black, Barack Obama the 44th president.  

5. The Executive Branch’s Headquarters Is In Washington D.C.

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The headquarters of the Executive Branch is in Washington, D.C. The White House is an iconic and historic building that serves as both the residence and the workplace of the President. Commonly referred to as the Oval Office, the President’s office is where official business, meetings with advisors, and hosting foreign leaders and dignitaries happen.

Washington, D.C., is not only the functional center of the Executive Branch but also a symbol of American democracy and government. The city’s monuments, memorials like The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and government buildings, such as the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the Washington Monument, are reminders of the nation’s democratic principles and the rule of law. 

6. The President Is The Commander-In-Chief Of The U.S. Military 

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The United States Constitution clearly states that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. military. This role grants the President significant authority and responsibility over the nation’s armed forces and brings some sort of civilian control over the military. 

The role also gives the President significant authority and responsibility in matters of national defense and security. 

7. The Vice President Is The Second In Command After The President In The Executive Branch 

When a presidential candidate runs for office, they select a running mate to be their Vice-Presidential candidate. The running mate is selected and announced by the presidential candidate before the election. The President and Vice President are elected on a joint ticket and run as a team representing the same political party. 

If the pair wins, they are sworn in together. As such, the Vice President becomes the second in command after the President.  This means that if the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the Vice President will be next in line for the presidency. 

Read sixty things about Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the United States of America.

8. The Executive Plays A Huge Role In Law Enforcement 

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The Executive Branch is responsible for enforcing and executing the laws that are passed by Congress and also oversees the implementation and enforcement of federal regulations. What this means is that the President ensures that federal laws are enforced across the country, primarily through the Department of Justice and its agencies such as the FBI, CIA, EPA, and FDA, among others. 

9. The Executive Branch Is Guided By The U.S. Constitution, Laws, And Regulations

The Executive Branch operates within the framework of the U.S. Constitution, which sets the overall structure of government and the President’s powers. It is bound by federal laws, which are enacted by Congress, and it further refines the implementation of these laws through regulations issued by federal agencies.  

This system of checks and balances ensures that the Executive Branch operates within the boundaries established by the Constitution and that it follows the laws and regulations enacted by the legislative process.

10. The Executive Branch Employs Millions Of Employees 

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This branch of government employs over 4 million people in a wide array of professions like scientists, lawyers, healthcare professionals, economists, engineers, military servicemen, security personnel, teachers, administrative staff, and more. 

This is because it is responsible for a wide spectrum of areas and for it to be efficient, it needs millions of people to serve in various capacities, both as career civil servants and political appointees. This way, essential services are delivered, and the government’s missions and responsibilities are done well. 

11. The Cabinet Is Part Of The Executive Branch 

The Cabinet is an important part of the Executive in the United States government. It consists of heads of various departments, and these Cabinet departments are responsible for specific areas of government policy and administration, such as foreign affairs, defense, homeland security, health, and others.  

The cabinet department heads play a crucial role in advising the President on matters related to their respective departments. They also assist in shaping and implementing government policies. The Cabinet’s size and composition usually vary from one administration to another. 

12. Homeland Security Is The Youngest Department Of The Executive Branch  

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Formed in 1789, the Department of State, Treasury, and War (later renamed Defense) are the oldest cabinet departments. The youngest but among the largest department is that of Homeland Security (DHS) which began its operations in 2003. It was created after the twin bombing terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.  

The DHS is responsible for protecting the United States from terrorism, natural disasters, and other threats. It is one of the most important cabinet departments cut out to protect the United States from foreign and domestic threats. 

13. The Vice President Is The President Of The Senate 

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The president’s running mate and vice president is not only the president’s closest advisor and confidant but is also the president of the Senate. The V.P. is the presiding officer of the Senate and though they do not have a vote in the Senate unless there is a tie, they can participate in debates and discussions, and they can introduce legislation.  

The V.P. also has the power to appoint Senate committees and to schedule votes. Their role is more ceremonial than hands-on, but they are always consulted on important decisions and can cast the deciding vote on a bill. 

14. The President Has The Power To Pardon Convicts  

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According to the U.S. Constitution, the president has the power to grant mercy. This means that he can forgive people who have been convicted of federal crimes or are facing criminal charges. One can be fully pardoned whereby they are completely forgiven and their civil rights such as the right to vote, serve on a jury, and possess firearms are restored. 

The president can also reduce or shorten a person’s prison sentence while leaving the conviction intact. Then there is Amnesty which applies to groups of people who may have committed offenses during civil unrest. This pardon power can be used for good or for bad and when someone accepts the presidential pardon, it is taken as an admission of guilt. 

15. The Executive Branch Makes Or Breaks The Economy

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The executive branch is responsible for collecting taxes and spending money. It is also the govt arm that is responsible for creating jobs. As the head of state and the head of government, the President and their administration can have a significant impact on the economy.  

However, making or breaking the economy is not entirely upon the executive because the economy is influenced and affected by several factors like global economic conditions, technology, consumer behavior, and more. 

16. The Executive Makes Treaties With Other Countries 

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The President plays a significant role in negotiating and signing treaties with other countries. However, before any binding decisions are made, the Constitution states that the Senate must approve such treaties. 

Treaties are scrutinized well before they are agreed upon because they require broad support from the state and federal governments. They are binding for both parties.

17. The Executive Is Partly Responsible For Infrastructure Development 

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The executive branch has been responsible for overseeing the nation’s infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and airports since 1789. It has a central role in shaping and implementing infrastructure policies and initiatives in the country because infrastructure is considered vital to the nation’s economic growth and competitiveness. Public safety and the overall well-being of the structures are taken seriously.

However, the enactment of infrastructure policies often requires collaboration and approval from Congress, making it a shared responsibility between the Executive and Legislative Branches.

18. Judges Are Nominated By The Executive

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The President has the authority to nominate judges, but his list must be approved by the Senate. The Senate’s role in confirmation ensures that judicial appointments are not made unilaterally and that there is a degree of oversight and accountability.

The Senate approval is a crucial step in ensuring that individuals appointed to the federal bench meet certain qualifications and standards. This process also ensures that the appointed judges who serve in the federal courts are men and women who can’t be influenced by external forces.

19. It Has A Role In Protecting The Environment 

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The Executive Branch of the United States government plays a significant role in protecting the environment through various agencies and policies. The President advocates for and implements policies to promote clean energy development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also gives incentives for renewable energy, energy efficiency programs, and emissions reduction goals. 

20. The President Can Be Impeached If The Executive Branch Abuses Power 

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Impeachment is a constitutional process designed to address serious misconduct or abuse of power by federal officials. It involves charges, trial, and potential removal from office, and it is a critical tool for holding high-ranking officials accountable for their actions. 

Impeachment holds government officials accountable and prevents the abuse of power, serving as a critical check and balance within the U.S. government system. Some argue that it was added to the Constitution to prevent assassinations.   

Those are 20 facts about the executive branch. It is safe to say power, leadership, and policy meet at the polished Oval Office desk. It is very important to vote wisely because, if an evil person gets a hold of the executive branch, a lot of bad things could happen.

But….  “In the end, it is the people who are the true sovereigns, and the executive branch is but an instrument of their will.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt – the 32nd president of the United States.

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