The constitution of America outlines three separate government branches, which are the Executive (head is the president), Legislative (head is the Congress), and judicial (head is the Supreme Court).
The US constitution has done several checks and balances to ensure no branch is too powerful than the other. However, the branches do not function entirely independently from the other.
In America, the Supreme Court is the final court of appeal. Its establishment as the head of the federal court system was under the constitutional convention of 1787.
However, its formal establishment was in the Judiciary Act that Congress passed in 1789. The Supreme Court depends on its judges, and at times they can make a wrong approach in their ruling. So let’s find out.
Can the President Override the Supreme Court
No, the president has no power to override the Supreme Court decision. The US constitution has checks and balances on the different government branches, dictating how each operates.
The US president can formulate policies that enforce the laws passed by Congress. US president can direct some functions of the Executive, but all the actions should be in line with the constitution.
The constitution is simply the highest law in the American land. The Supreme Court is the head of all the federal courts in America.
The decisions from the Supreme Court are the final word. If the president does not like the decision, he can ask Congress to change the law.
The Checks And Balances Of US Government
The American constitution has three distinct government branches: the judiciary, legislature, and the Executive.
The constitution ensures that no branch becomes powerful, using various checks and balances. The different branches keep each other within the line using them.
The Branches Separation Of Power
In the US government’s the power is equally divided between its three branches. Each branch performs specific functions. The primary roles of Congress are setting the budget, making laws, and declaring war.
The judiciary (Supreme Court) interprets the laws to the people and can declare a law unconstitutional. The Executive (president) offers pardons and is the military commander in chief.
The Checks On Each Of The Branches
The Courts
The United States government can check the court’s powers. It can simply do this through impeachment. Congress can vote for the removal of judges from the office.
Overall the number of judges impeached in America surpasses presidents by far. The president can also check the court’s powers by appointing new judges.
The appointments made by the president can have much influence. A single appointment can significantly swing the Supreme Court’s power.
Again the Congress also has a check on the president’s action. It’s the role of Congress to approve the appointment of the president.
The President
The United States Congress has several ways to check the president’s power. Congress can impeach the president by voting for the president’s removal.
Congress also offers advice and consent to the president. As mentioned, the president can appoint judges, but Congress must approve the appointments.
The Supreme Court can also check the United States president. It can do this by simply declaring the executive orders as being unconstitutional.
The Congress
Congress is the branch of the government with the primary role of making laws. The president of America has a say in Congress through bill vetoing.
If the president vetoes a bill, it means it must return to Congress. Therefore for the bill to make it law, it must be passed by the two-thirds majority.
The other branch that has a say in the senate is the Executive. The vice president is a member of the Executive and the senate president.
America’s vice president’s vote in the senate is valuable; in case of a tie, the vote becomes the deciding vote.
Judiciary also ensures that Congress is right; it can declare a law unconstitutional. However, this action is not in the constitution but in its law.
Power of American Citizens and the US States
According to United States Constitution, the powers of the government are for those mentioned in the constitution.
The people and the states hold the other powers. Therefore the people and the states can check the federal government through the constitution.
Additional Information
In the history of America, impeachment has happened to only three presidents. The presidents are Bill Clinton, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump. However, you should note that no president faced removal from office.
The other thing is that the president is responsible for appointing the US admirals and generals; however, it’s the senate’s role to approve them.
Lastly, in the case of the presidential impeachment, it is the supreme court chief justice that presides over the senate’s trial.
What The United States President Can Do And Not Do?
Truly the presidential position in the US is quite powerful but has specific functions and limitations. During campaigns, it’s common to hear presidential candidates giving lots of promises.
The popular promises usually lower taxes, overrule some controversial rulings, etc. However, you need to know what the president can accomplish since there are several limits on executive power.
In general, the president can’t do much without the cooperation of the Supreme Court or Congress.
War
Many people usually ask whether the president can start a war. You should know that the president can send troops into battle. However, the president can only formally declare war if Congress authorizes it.
The war powers act of 1973 states that the US president has a stringent timeline of only 90 days to seek approval from Congress. Congress is also responsible for approving the war budget.
Repeal Law
There are several laws in the US, such as the Obama care, so can a president repeal such law. The authority to repeal the law only lies with Congress. You have to pass a new law to repeal an existing law, and Congress can only do this.
The only part the president plays is when signing or vetoing the bill. The president also has the mandate of clarifying existing laws. Law clarification is only through the issuance of executive action. However, executive action can’t create new laws.
Gas Prices
Despite the promises during campaigns, the president cannot raise or reduce gas prices. It’s the international market that sets the gas prices. Today the rate at which the US is producing oil is steadily increasing.
However, most global oil supplies come from other countries or regions. However, Congress can influence the gas prices when setting the fuel tax.
Nuclear Strike
The president can indeed launch a nuclear strike but under specific circumstances. It can be when the US is under imminent attack.
However, the president needs first to consult the top military officials. After making the decision, the president can go on with the nuclear strike.
Conclusion
United States government has three main branches: the Executive, legislature, and judicial. Each branch has been protected in the constitution and has specific functions.
No branch is much more powerful than the other, ensuring the rule of law. The president is a powerful position in America but has limited powers and thus can’t interfere with specific government functions.
