Presidential Powers

Presidential Power & F.I.S.A Act Cons

In Article II, section 2, clause 2 the President is granted the power to “appoint Ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States [except those whose positions are not otherwise already provided for in the Constitution, and] Congress may by Law vest the appointed of such inferior officers… in the President alone.” (1) The President has the power to appoint whomever he chooses with Congress’s approval and the powers not given to the President may be awarded to him by Congressional Act. Many people worry that with this kind of power that our government could easily become a dictatorship and their worries are justified. Our Presidents also have the power to pardon whomever they please. With that being said, President’s pardons can be controversial at times. For example:

“George Washington pardoned leaders of the Whiskey rebellion; James Madison pardoned Lafitte’s pirates after the war of 1812; Andrew Johnson pardoned confederate soldiers after the Civil War; Harry Truman pardoned those who violated World War II selective service laws; and Jimmy Carter pardoned Vietnam War draft dodgers.” (3)

It is thought today that current and future Presidents could become more personal when it comes to pardoning. They could use their pardoning powers for person reasons or to help their political standing. Either way it’s absurd to think that is ok.

Many people would argue today that the President has become too strong. Our President has the power to launch nuclear weapons and destroy cities or countries and kill millions. The President is the only one who can initiate the launch of nuclear warheads. He alone holds that power. The President could have a personal agenda or vendetta against a specific person in power or a country and could use his power to annihilate them within minutes. Today, instead of recommending measure or ideas to Congress, the President...