{"id":31011,"date":"2016-04-04T20:33:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-05T01:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-legal\/constitution\/article2.html"},"modified":"2024-08-23T15:35:00","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T20:35:00","slug":"article2","status":"publish","type":"constitution","link":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/article2.html","title":{"rendered":"Article II – The Executive Branch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Article II – The Executive Branch\n <\/h1>\n \n Powers and responsibilities of the president\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Article II of the United States Constitution outlines the powers given to the executive branch. While Article I<\/a> and Article III<\/a> grant power to groups of people (the legislature and the courts), Article II is primarily focused on the role of the President.<\/p>\n

Article II includes a person’s requirements to become president, such as being at least 35 years old and a natural-born citizen. It also outlines the process for electing presidents (although the 12th<\/a> and 20th Amendments<\/a> later modified the process). Most importantly, it outlines the president’s powers, such as appointing officers like the Secretary of State.<\/p>\n

The Framers of the Constitution<\/a> were wary of giving too much power to the executive branch, fearing the tyranny they’d experienced under the British monarchy. So, while Article II grants the president broad powers, the legislature and judiciary have checks and balances on the presidential powers.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the executive branch and the president\u2019s powers and duties below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Executive Powers Under Article II\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h2>\n \n