The President of the USA

The President is both the head of state and the head of government, as well as the military Commander-in-chief. He presides over the executive branch of the federal government. The President manages national affairs and to affect internal policies.

The President may sign or veto legislation passed by Congress and has the power to recommend measures to Congress. The Congress may override a presidential veto but only by a two-thirds majority in each house. The President may not dissolve Congress or call special elections. He can pardon criminals convicted of offences against the federal government. The President can appoint (with the consent of the Senate) Supreme Court justices and federal judges.

Although the President heads the executive branch of government, the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws is in the hands of the various federal executive departments, created by Congress to deal with specific areas of national and international affairs.

The President is elected for a fixed term of four years and may serve a maximum of two terms. Elections are always held in November.

The President is not elected directly by the voters but by an Electoral College. The total Electoral College vote is 538. This means that, to become President, a candidate has to win at least 270 electoral votes. The United States is the only example in the world of an indirect election of the president. The President may be impeached by a majority of the House of Representatives and removed from the office by a two-thirds majority in the Senate for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors ".