Lesson 23: What Is the Role of the President in the American Constitutional System?

Terms

commander in chief  Highest ranked person of the military forces. According to the U.S. Constitution, the president is commander in chief of the nation's armed forces.

executive orders  Directives issued by the president, including Presidential Directives, National Security Directives, and Homeland Security Presidential Directives. Presidents have issued such orders since 1789. Such orders are open to the public, except for National Security Directives.

executive power  The authority to carry out and enforce the law.