What are the President's domestic powers?

The President's domestic powers include enforcing federal laws, appointing executive and judicial officials, granting pardons for federal crimes, and vetoing legislation passed by Congress. Article II of the Constitution sets out these powers and adds the directive that the President shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, often called the take care clause. As chief executive, the President supervises the federal agencies that implement laws on subjects ranging from civil rights to environmental protection to taxation.

The President directs Cabinet departments, can issue executive orders within the boundaries of statutory authority, and has substantial influence over how laws are carried out in practice. Recent examples include the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created by executive action in 2012, the various pandemic response orders during 2020 and 2021, and the executive orders on energy and immigration that have followed each change in administration.

The appointment power lets the President shape the executive and judicial branches. The President nominates federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, ambassadors, Cabinet secretaries, sub-Cabinet officials, and the leaders of independent agencies. Most senior appointments require Senate confirmation by a simple majority vote. Lower-ranking executive positions, sometimes called inferior officers, can be filled by the President alone if Congress chooses, or by department heads.

The pardon power is one of the broadest powers any President holds. Article II, Section 2 grants the President authority to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. Pardons can erase federal convictions, end ongoing prosecutions, or reduce sentences. Notable pardons include Gerald Ford's 1974 pardon of Richard Nixon for any crimes related to Watergate, and Andrew Johnson's pardon of former Confederate leaders after the Civil War. Pardons cannot reach state crimes, only federal offenses.

The veto power lets the President reject bills passed by Congress. A vetoed bill returns to the originating chamber, which can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Most vetoes stand. Presidents have used the veto more than 2,500 times in American history, with only about 110 overrides.