Trust and the Presidency
Learn how the framers used the Constitution to deal with their mistrust over the creation of the presidency and how things have changed since then. Those changes may be impacting our trust in the office today.
Sections
Part 1: The Framer's Mistrust
How did the framer's trust and distrust shape their views on the presidency? What does the Constitution say about what presidents must and must not do?
Part 2: New Power from the People
How did the formation of political parties and changes in the way states instructed their electors at the Electoral College affect the presidency? What are the implications for presidential power, partisanship, and accountability?
Part 3: Original Powers Deepened
The president’s powers for war-making, treaty-making, and supervising the federal bureaucracy deepened over time. What were the changes and what are the consequences?
Part 4: Delegated Powers
Delegation of powers. What budgetary, regulatory, and emergency powers did Congress delegate to the presidency? How has that altered the balance of power?
Part 5: Implied Powers
What are implied powers? What are executive orders? Can presidents use discretion in which laws to enforce and how?
Part 6: Accountability
How accountable is the president, and to whom? This section is all about accountability, executive privilege, and immunity in the criminal and civil courts.
Part 7: Citizens Have Power Too
What can we do to make the Executive Branch serve us well? How can we keep our republic? How can we push for good results from the presidency?
