46th President of the United States
The Breakdown
The US president has different types of authority: He has powers granted by the constitution, powers granted by congress, implied powers, and soft powers.
Constitutional Power
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Commander-in-chief of United States Armed Forces
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directs military operations
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deploy troops in foreign countries
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launch nuclear weapons
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Issue Executive Orders (rules, regulations or instructions for federal agencies)
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Veto power of bills from congress
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Appoint thousands of federal positions including heads of agencies like CIA or NASA
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Clemency (Pardon of an acknowledged crime)
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Head of foreign relations, including appointing diplomats
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Call and adjourn special sessions of congress
Acts of Congress
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During national emergencies, congress can grant presidential power to manage the economy and protect US security
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All powers held by congress can be granted to the president through acts of congress
Implied Powers
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Emergency Powers, or ability to seize extra powers during times of war, unrest or extraordinary situations
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Executive privilege, or ability to withhold information from the public, congress, and courts in matters of national security or diplomatic relations.
Soft Powers
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“Bully pulpit” or the idea that issues the President raises inevitably become a national public debate
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The most important person in our nation's capital (influencing all matters of lawmaking and federal affairs)
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One of the most famous and influential Americans
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Ability to influence culture, foreign policy, and political values abroad
President Donald Trump
BiographY
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Owner of The Trump Organization, a group of 500 business entities
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First president elected without any previous military or governmental service
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Produced and hosted The Apprentice television show from 2003 to 2015
Coronavirus
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Wants to open schools for in-person learning to minimize economic damages to economy
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Has been criticized for downplaying the severity of the virus
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Issued executive orders to extend unemployment assistance at $300 a month and created a payroll tax holiday
Elections
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Created commission to review extent of voter fraud after 2016 election
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Created task force to review USPS in lead up to 2020 election
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Has taken a stance against mail-in ballots, citing fraud
Healthcare
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Repealed the Obama-era individual mandate (the requirement for all to have insurance)
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Declared opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency
Criminal Justice
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Declared himself the “president of law and order”
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Recommended that states deploy the National Guard in order to stop recent protests
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Signed The First Step Act into law which seeks to take small steps towards decreasing prison populations
Immigration
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Implemented family separation policy for families caught unlawfully crossing Mexico-US border
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Declared a national emergency to secure funding for Mexico-US border wall
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Reduced refugee ceiling from 110,000 (2016) to 18,000 (2020)
Enviroment
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Exited Paris Agreement on climate change
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Repealed 68 environmental protection policies related to air pollution, drilling, water pollution, toxic substances and animals
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Actively working to repeal 32 more environmental protection policies
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Only president to have removed more public lands than protected
Former Vice President
Joe Biden
Biography
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US Senator from Delaware from 1973 to 2009
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As Vice President, oversaw infrastructure spending and negotiated tax relief and budget control in response to 2008 financial crisis
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Led Gun Violence Task Force following Sandy Hook shooting
Coronavirus
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Calls for wide availability of free testing
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Wants to eliminate cost barriers for preventative care and treatment of COVID-19
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Plans to put economic measures in place to aid workers, families and businesses affected by the pandemic to stabilize economy
Elections
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Plans to eliminate private donations from federal campaigns
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Plans to strengthen prohibitions on foreign funding of campaigns
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Has called for increased mail-in ballots in response to coronavirus concerns
HEalthcare
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Plans to expand ACA (Obamacare) by creating a Medicare-like public health care option
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Plans to extend coverage to more Americans regardless of income and cap health insurance costs at 8.5% of family income
Criminal Justice
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Plans to reinvigorate the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) with a $300 million investment
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Would fight to put an end to mandatory minimums, private prisons and cash bail and support automatic expungement for marijuana offenses
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As a Senator, authored the 1994 crime bill and pushed for mandatory minimum sentences
Immigration
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Will reverse remaining family separation policies
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As Vice President, championed DACA and other family-oriented immigration policies
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Plans to end national emergency funding for border wall
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Will restore asylum laws that protect those fleeing persecution
Enviroment
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Plans to build 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions by 2050
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Will recommit to Paris Agreement
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Vows to conserve 30% of US lands and waters by 2030
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Promises to save consumers money through appliance and energy efficiency standards