President of the United States
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"POTUS" redirects here. For the political talk radio channel, see P.O.T.U.S. (Sirius XM). For a list,
see List of presidents of the United States. For other uses, see President of the United States
(disambiguation).
President of the
United States of America
Presidential seal
Presidential flag
Incumbent
Joe Biden
since January 20, 2021
Executive branch of the U.S. Government
Executive Office of the President
Style Mr. President[1][2]
(informal)
The Honorable[3]
(formal)
His Excellency[4][5]
(diplomatic)
Type Head of State
Head of Government
Abbreviation POTUS
Member of Cabinet
Domestic Policy Council
National Economic
Council
National Security Council
Residence White House
Seat Washington, D.C.
Appointer Electoral College
Term length Four years, renewable once
Constituting instrument Constitution of the United States
Formation June 21, 1788
(232 years ago)[6][7]
First holder George Washington[8]
Salary $400,000 annually
Website www.whitehouse.gov
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The president of the United States (POTUS)[A] is the head of state and head of government of
the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal
government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.
The power of the presidency has grown substantially since its formation, as has the power of the
federal government as a whole. [10] While presidential power has ebbed and flowed over time, the
presidency has played an increasingly strong role in American political life since the beginning of the
20th century, with a notable expansion during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In
contemporary times, the president is also looked upon as one of the world's most powerful political
figures as the leader of the only remaining global superpower.[11][12][13][14] As the leader of the nation with
the largest economy by nominal GDP, the president possesses significant domestic and
international hard and soft power.
Article II of the Constitution establishes the executive branch of the federal government and vests
the executive power in the president. The power includes the execution and enforcement of federal
law and the responsibility to appoint federal executive, diplomatic, regulatory, and judicial officers.
Based on constitutional provisions empowering the president to appoint and receive ambassadors
and conclude treaties with foreign powers, and on subsequent laws enacted by Congress, the
modern presidency has primary responsibility for conducting U.S. foreign policy. The role includes
responsibility for directing the world's most expensive military, which has the second largest nuclear
arsenal.
The president also plays a leading role in federal legislation and domestic policymaking. As part of
the system of checks and balances, Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution gives the president the
power to sign or veto federal legislation. Since modern presidents are also typically viewed as the
leaders of their political parties, major policymaking is significantly shaped by the outcome of
presidential elections, with presidents taking an active role in promoting their policy priorities to
members of Congress who are often electorally dependent on the president. [15] In recent decades,
presidents have also made increasing use of executive orders, agency regulations, and judicial
appointments to shape domestic policy.
The president is elected indirectly through the Electoral College to a four-year term, along with
the vice president. Under the Twenty-second Amendment, ratified in 1951, no person who has been
elected to two presidential terms may be elected to a third. In addition, nine vice presidents have
become president by virtue of a president's intra-term death or resignation.[B] In all, 45
individuals have served 46 presidencies spanning 58 full four-year terms. [C]
Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States, having assumed office on January
20, 2021.
Contents
1History and development
o 1.1Origins
o 1.2Development
o 1.3Imperial Presidency
o 1.4Critics of presidency's evolution
2Legislative powers
o 2.1Signing and vetoing bills
o 2.2Setting the agenda
o 2.3Promulgating regulations
o 2.4Convening and adjourning Congress
3Executive powers
o 3.1Administrative powers
o 3.2Foreign affairs
o 3.3Commander-in-chief
o 3.4Juridical powers and privileges
4Leadership roles
o 4.1Head of state
o 4.2Head of party
o 4.3Global leader
5Selection process
o 5.1Eligibility
o 5.2Campaigns and nomination
o 5.3Election
o 5.4Inauguration
6Incumbency
o 6.1Term limit
o 6.2Vacancies and succession
o 6.3Declarations of inability
o 6.4Removal
o 6.5Compensation
o 6.6Residence
o 6.7Travel
o 6.8Protection
7Post-presidency
o 7.1Activities
o 7.2Pension, office, and staff
o 7.3Living former U.S. presidents
o 7.4Presidential libraries
8Timeline of presidents
o 8.1Political affiliation
o 8.2Timeline
9See also
10Notes
11References
12Further reading
o 12.1Primary sources
13External links
