The president of the United States is the head of state, the executive of the government, and commander in chief of the United States military. The president’s role has changed over time. The essential, consistent functions are leadership of the federal government and the military. More symbolically, the president serves as the face of the country before its people and the rest of the world. The power of the presidency is constrained by the other branches of the government: the Congress and the Supreme Court.

Over the course of American history, the influence of the presidency has waxed and waned. However, since the mid-20th century, the presidency has consistently become more powerful. Presidents exercise their power directly through approving or vetoing legislation passed by Congress, convening and adjourning Congress, appointing federal judges including Supreme Court justices and the heads of the federal government’s departments, and issuing executive orders and proposed regulations to the departments. The decisions of presidents can be challenged through laws passed by Congress, decisions by the courts, and previously established federal regulations and approval processes. Presidents have also traditionally exercised an indirect power by encouraging Congress to follow set legislative priorities promised during the president’s election campaign. Congress also has the power to impeach a president accused of crimes or violating their oath of office, which starts the process of putting the president on trial before Congress, after which they may be forced out of office.