Introduction
The President of the United States is the single most influential figure in the American political system in its entirety. This fact, however, does not mean that the presidential power is unchecked, because the system ensures that each role combines powers, responsibilities, and limitations. The main roles associated with the office of Presidency are Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and the head of the executive branch.
Main body
The powers invested into the President by the United States Constitution are a source of influence and responsibility alike. For instance, the President acts as the Commander-in-Chief of the nation’s armed forces, which means control over an enormous military machine. However, this power also makes the President the person who has the greatest responsibility in terms of national security. In a similar manner, the President’s position as the head of the executive branch gives the right to appoint people to several thousand positions in federal agencies. Yet, much as in the previous example, this power also entails the responsibility to appoint people actually capable of performing efficiently as federal officials.
Moreover, each particular role performed by the President has its constitutional limitations. While the President commands the nation’s armed forces, it is Congress that decides on the matters of war and peace as well as financing the military in the first place. Similarly, while the President can make agreements with foreign powers, these require congressional ratification to take force. Thus, presidential powers come not only with responsibilities but with limitations as well.
Summary
To summarize, the office of the presidency gives the head of state a very considerable yet still limited power to guide American politics. The sheer amount of power for controlling the nation’s executive branch and military means that the President is also responsible for their performance in every aspect. At the same time, the system of checks and balances ensures there are limitations to what the President can do.