Everybody knows who the president is, but have you ever stopped to think what the exact roles a president is responsible for?
The United States president is the head of the federal government and the commander-in-chief for all branches of the United States Armed Forces. While the president has great power, that power is limited to specific areas and the president must work with state governors, lawmakers, and other elected officials.
Let’s take a look at the seven roles of the president of the United States.
1. Managing the Economy
The economy is always an important part of a presidential campaign because of the huge amount of responsibility placed on the president’s shoulders. The president is Chief Guardian of the Economy and has a great amount of influence over matters of tariffs, taxation, and employment issues – though this still also requires working with legislators to pass meaningful and long-term legislation.
2. Chief of Party
The president is also a leader of the party he or she represents and has a huge amount of influence in the policy agenda of the party. Presidents will endorse candidates in primary elections and help shape the party’s Congressional and legislative agendas.
3. Chief of Legislature
The president has a role in legislation by influencing Congress. The president can sign Executive Orders but has great sway in Congress to pass laws.
4. Commander-In-Chief
The president is the commander-in-chief of the United States military and decides where troops should be deployed or stationed.
5. Chief Executive
As the Chief Executive, the president is in charge of all government workers. He or she has the power to fire or hire new executives in the government and is responsible for appointing officials and running the government in a way he or she sees fit.
6. Chief Diplomat
The president represents the country on the world stage, taking on the responsibility of diplomacy and international negotiations. A president will also appoint officials to assist with this, including ambassadors and the secretary of state. The president outlines American foreign policy.
7. Chief of State
Finally, as the Chief of State, the president is responsible for representing the people, setting an example, and acting as a champion for the country.
In short, the president is a representative of the United States, an influence over his or her party, and a check on legislative branches.
