Article 2 of the United States Constitution
This article focuses on the power and responsibility of the U.S executive branch: the governmental branch, which consists of the President, Vice President, and other executive officers. The article is broken down into four distinct sections that are further divided into clauses with guidelines and rules. Section one, which emphasizes both the President and the Vice President’s roles, is further divided into eight clauses. Clause one vests executive power to the President and the vice president in the term of the elected four year period. Clause two and three states that the state legislatures’ electors will decide on the President and the Vice President.
Clause four indicates that Congress is responsible for deciding when elections are to be held. Clause five focuses on the requirements to be considered for the presidential office, such as the candidate being at least thirty five years of age. Clause six emphasizes contingencies in situations when the President is forced to leave office, is impeached, resigns, or dies. Clause seven dictates the President’s salary, indicating that it cannot change while they are still in office, and clause eight insists on taking the oath before the President is sworn.
Section two concentrates on the powers of the President, and it is divided into three clauses. Clause one indicates that the President is the commander in chief of the armed forces. Clause two emphasizes that the President is obligated to seek consent and advice from Congress before making major binding decisions. Clause three states that the President holds the power of assigning certain offices while in power, after which this power is terminated upon the beginning of the next Senate session.
Section three focuses on the responsibilities of the President and is divided into five clauses. Clause one dictates that the President is obligated to keep the Congress informed at regular intervals through the state of union addresses. Clause two states that the President has the authority of calling the Senate and House of Representatives sessions. Clause three indicates that the President is responsible for receiving any foreign ambassadors that come to America. Clause four states that the President is responsible for ensuring that all laws are executed faithfully. Clause five dictates that the President has the authority to commission United States officers when deemed necessary.
Section four focuses on the limits of executive branch power and its impeachment due to misconduct depending on wrongful actions that have been taken or the right actions that have been neglected, such as conviction of bribery or treason. At this point, any member of the executive branch is removed from office through the vote of no confidence.