Executive Power

Executive Power

Creating the Executive branch was a difficult task for the Founders. They knew they didn’t want a king but what powers did a President and his staff rightfully need to execute and uphold the law? Episodes in this unit cover topics related to specific Presidential responsibilities and powers, as well as questions about who qualifies as an “Officer of the United States,” and the balance of power between the Executive and Legislative branches.

Play the next video in the series?

Watch Now

8 of 16: How Powerful is the Executive Branch? [No. 86]

Professor Saikrishna Prakash discusses what power is vested in the President. Unlike the enumerated powers granted to Congress, the Constitution provides a broad grant of all executive power to the President. These powers include not only enforcing ... Professor Saikrishna Prakash discusses what power is vested in the President. Unlike the enumerated powers granted to Congress, the Constitution provides a broad grant of all executive power to the President. These powers include not only enforcing the law, but also power over executive officers and foreign affairs. The Founders wanted the Executive to be a formidable authority to counterbalance Congress.

Professor Saikrishna Prakash is the James Monroe Distinguished Professor of Law and Paul G. Mahoney Research Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law. Professor Prakash’s scholarship focuses on separation of powers, particularly executive powers. He teaches Constitutional Law, Foreign Relations Law and Presidential Powers.

As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.

Subscribe to the series’ playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWwcngsYgoUVuiVj2TkrPolK5t6jD4PKa