IN JUST HIS SECOND WEEK IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS MADE SHORT WORK OF A NUMBER OF CAMPAIGN PROMISES – USING SOME PRESIDENTIAL ‘SUPER POWERS’.
AS YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER, THE U.S CONSTITUTION CALLS FOR A “BALANCE OF POWER” AMONG THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, SO, THE PRESIDENT, CONGRESS, AND THE SUPREME COURT GENERALLY HAVE TO PUT THEIR STAMP OF APPROVAL ON NEW POLICIES.
HOWEVER, PRESIDENTS HAVE DEVELOPED A HANDFUL OF TOOLS TO PUSH THROUGH POLICIES, ‘WITHOUT’ WAITING ON CONGRESS: THEY’RE CALLED EXECUTIVE ACTIONS. AN EXECUTIVE ACTION IS NOT EXACTLY THE PRESIDENT CREATING NEW LAW; IT IS A CALL FOR THE AGENCIES HE OVERSEES TO TAKE A SPECIFIC ACTION - OR TO CHANGE AN EXISTING PRACTICE. ONE FAMOUS EXAMPLE IS THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION -- WITH THE FLICK OF A PEN ABRAHAM LINCOLN ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ACTION THAT FREED OVER 3 MILLION SLAVES.
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ALREADY ISSUED OVER A DOZEN OF THESE ORDERS.
Instructional Links
Primary Source: The White House, Executive Orders | Link to the President’s Actions and Executive Orders
Website Article: Tween Tribune, For The First Time, Social Media Is Included In Transfer Of Presidential Power | Leveled articles. May need to sign in.