{"id":31020,"date":"2016-04-04T20:33:42","date_gmt":"2016-04-05T01:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-legal\/constitution\/article2\/annotation16.html"},"modified":"2024-08-12T19:29:04","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T00:29:04","slug":"annotation16","status":"publish","type":"constitution","link":"https:\/\/constitution.findlaw.com\/article2\/annotation16.html","title":{"rendered":"The President as Law Enforcer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The President as Law Enforcer<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Edward Maggio, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\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

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Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution spells out several presidential duties, including the duty to faithfully execute the laws. Although the Take Care Clause appears to be relatively straightforward, its meaning and the limits of presidential power have been extensively debated, discussed, and litigated.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

One of the most important responsibilities of the President of the United States is to ensure that the laws are "faithfully executed". This means they must ensure existing laws and the Constitution<\/a> are upheld.<\/p>\r\n

At first glance, the clause makes the president a top-level law enforcer. However, the president doesn’t execute the laws. Instead, they must ensure that their subordinates execute the laws faithfully.<\/p>\r\n

This article describes Article II, Section 3’s<\/a> requirement that the president faithfully execute the laws. It starts by outlining the text and detailing the enumerated powers and duties of the executive branch. It then provides the modern interpretation of the so-called "take care clause."<\/p>\r\n

Executive Powers and Duties<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Article II of the U.S. Constitution enumerates the executive duty and powers of the president. The president’s express powers include the following (among others):<\/p>\r\n