Lesson 5 Questions from the Book

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Questions and Answers

What were the charges brought against President Trump in his first impeachment?

Corruption and misconduct

Abuse of power and obstruction of Congress (correct)

Bribery and abuse of office

Fraud and election interference

What was the outcome of the second impeachment trial of President Trump in the Senate?

There was a significant majority in favor of removal, but not sufficient for conviction (correct)

A super-majority voted for removal

He resigned before the trial concluded

He was removed from office

Which event triggered President Trump's second impeachment?

His alleged bribery of foreign officials

The failure to release military aid to Ukraine

The attack on the U.S. Capitol building (correct)

Misleading Congress regarding election results

What historical context does the text provide regarding the frequency of presidential impeachments?

The impeachment of a president is a rare event Signup and view all the answers

Which constitutional powers are designated to the President of the United States?

Serve as commander-in-chief, negotiate treaties, and receive foreign representatives Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the president's powers related to the judiciary?

To nominate federal judges and Supreme Court justices. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions can the president take regarding legislation?

Veto legislation that can be overridden by a two-thirds majority. Signup and view all the answers

Who must approve the president's nominations for federal officials?

A simple majority of the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the president’s power to pardon?

The president can pardon individuals convicted of federal offenses, except those impeached. Signup and view all the answers

What action did George Washington take that helped establish the precedent for presidential advisory powers?

He established a cabinet of advisors. Signup and view all the answers

Which precedent did Thomas Jefferson set regarding the expansion of presidential powers?

Acquiring territories without congressional approval. Signup and view all the answers

What principle was established by James Monroe's annual message in 1823?

The Monroe Doctrine concerning intervention by European powers. Signup and view all the answers

What notable action did Andrew Jackson take regarding the use of the presidential veto?

He used it frequently to block policies he disagreed with. Signup and view all the answers

Which constitutional action did Lincoln take that related to military necessity during his presidency?

Suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. Signup and view all the answers

What concept, first asserted by George Washington, allows the president to withhold information from other branches of government?

Executive privilege. Signup and view all the answers

How did the presidency’s power evolve throughout the twentieth century?

By expanding and interpreting executive powers broadly. Signup and view all the answers

Which situation led to Andrew Johnson being impeached by the House of Representatives?

Disagreements with Radical Republicans on Reconstruction policies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of executive orders issued by presidents?

To bypass Congress while having the force of law Signup and view all the answers

How do signing statements function in the legislative process?

They allow presidents to express intentions regarding legislation as they sign it Signup and view all the answers

What role do executive agreements play in foreign policy?

They bypass Congress entirely and can be enacted unilaterally Signup and view all the answers

In what way have presidents expanded their war powers in recent history?

By employing a broader interpretation of war powers for unilateral actions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions may presidents take concerning budgetary powers?

Framing budgets and negotiating compromises with Congress Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant limitation of executive orders?

They can be overturned by the judicial branch Signup and view all the answers

Who can the president choose without needing Senate approval?

Personal staff and advisers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Presidential Impeachment

Donald Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives; in 2019 for "abuse of power” and “obstruction of Congress” and in 2021 for "incitement of insurrection".
Both times, although a majority of Senators supported the removal, the required supermajority was not attained.
During the second Trump impeachment, a substantial number of Republican representatives and senators, such as Liz Cheney and Mitt Romney, sided with the Democrats.
Following the 2021 impeachment attempts, federal investigations into the January 6th Capitol riot continue, and an attempt to establish an independent commission on the event, similar to the 9/11 investigation, was passed by the House, but blocked in the Senate.
Though impeachment remains a rare event, the two impeachments of Trump and the single impeachment of Andrew Johnson in the 19th century mark a trend of its increased use in recent years.

Presidential Powers and Appointments

The president is designated commander-in-chief of the armed forces, has the authority to negotiate treaties with the Senate's approval, and can receive foreign delegations.
Presidents have broad power to pardon federal offenses, except for impeachment-related removals.
The president submits information on the state of the country, can convene or adjourn Congress, and exercise veto powers (which can be overridden by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress).
Presidents have the power to propose legislation and policy, request reports and opinions from department heads, and nominate federal judges and officials.
Two-term presidents appoint roughly over three hundred federal judges during their tenure, and also appoint approximately five hundred top officials to the Executive Office, agencies, and commissions, all subject to Senate approval.

Evolution of Presidential Power

George Washington set precedents by establishing a cabinet, which today comprises the heads of fifteen executive departments, and issuing a neutrality proclamation in 1793.
Later presidents built upon these precedents by expanding their powers.
John Adams led the United States in an undeclared war against France (1798-1800), known as the Quasi-War.
Thomas Jefferson acquired the Louisiana Territory from France, justifying the action by arguing Congress's silence implied consent.
James Monroe declared in his 1823 message, later known as the Monroe Doctrine, that European intervention in the Western Hemisphere would be considered an act of aggression.
Andrew Jackson employed the veto extensively as a policy tool, using it more than all previous presidents combined, demonstrating a shift towards using the veto for policy disagreements rather than solely to protect presidential powers.
James K. Polk significantly expanded presidential war powers by deliberately provoking Mexico over the border dispute, leading to the Mexican-American War of 1846.
Abraham Lincoln, during the Civil War, used presidential war powers and arguments of military necessity to undermine the Confederacy.
Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, a unilateral proclamation citing military necessity.
Andrew Johnson's disagreements with Radical Republicans over Reconstruction policies led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives, but he was not removed from office.
The broad interpretation of Article II's "executive power" has been used to justify presidential actions beyond those specifically listed in the Constitution.
The expansion of the federal bureaucracy, including agencies like the Secret Service and the FBI, has augmented presidential power.
Presidents have further developed the concept of executive privilege, claiming the right to withhold information from Congress, the judiciary, or the public.
Executive privilege, though not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, was first asserted by George Washington to limit scrutiny of the executive branch.
The defense of executive privilege aims to ensure candid advice from presidential advisors and staff.

Presidential Expansion of Power

Presidents have increasingly used executive orders, bypassing Congress; these orders have the force of law unless overturned by courts.
Presidents have utilized signing statements, offering their interpretations of legislation when signing it, directing these statements to the implementing bureaucratic entity.
In foreign policy, Congress has allowed the use of executive agreements in place of treaties.
Recent presidents have broadened their definition of war powers to act unilaterally.
Presidents, often with Congressional delegation of authority, lead budget framing, negotiation, and even impounding funds for policy goals.

Senate Confirmation Process

The Senate has employed a strategy of "malign neglect" to stall confirmations by refusing to hold hearings
In 2016, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to hold hearings on Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama's nominee for Supreme Court Justice after Associate Justice Antonin Scalia died
Despite Garland's highly respected reputation and Senate confirmation to his previous position, McConnell cited the upcoming presidential election as a reason for delaying hearings
After the election, Donald Trump's nominee, Neil Gorsuch, was confirmed using the "nuclear option," breaking a filibuster with a simple majority vote
McConnell reversed his stance on election proximity when Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died before the 2020 election, quickly confirming Amy Coney Barrett

President’s Staff

The President's staff is not subject to Senate approval, including the White House Chief of Staff, advisors, and political staff
The Executive Office of the President was created by Franklin D. Roosevelt and includes several advisory bodies such as the Council of Economic Advisers, National Security Council, and OMB
Presidents choose political advisors, speechwriters, and a press secretary to manage the administration's message and politics
Presidential staff members work in the West Wing of the White House and serve at the pleasure of the president
The White House staff has expanded significantly since Abraham Lincoln's administration with a recent report indicating over 450 employees

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Description

Explore the impeachments of Donald Trump in 2019 and 2021, examining the reasons, outcomes, and the political landscape surrounding these historic events. This quiz analyzes the implications of these impeachments on presidential powers and the responses from lawmakers. Dive into the intricacies of impeachment and its growing significance in modern politics.