Executive and Ordinance Powers
As chief executive, the President executes federal law. This means that he carries out and enforces laws. There are thousands of laws on a huge number of subjects. The President does not do all this alone. Many departments and other executive agencies help him.
These agencies interpret the laws as they administer them. This means they decide how to apply a law at different times. By doing this, an executive agency has as much say in what a law means as Congress.The President can also make rules called executive orders. These have the force of law. Making these rules is using the ordinance power. The Constitution does not say the President has this power, but he cannot carry out laws without telling his departments what to do.
Appointing and Removal Powers
The President has the power to choose the top officials of the executive branch. The Senate, however, must approve these. They may be top diplomats, cabinet members, or heads of exective agencies. All federal judges and attorneys, U.S. marshals, and military officers also need Senate approval.For most of these jobs, a candidate must have the support of more than half of the Senate. However, for officials who serve only in one state, an unwritten rule called senatorial courtesy comes into play. This means that the Senate will not approve the President's choice unless the senators of the President's party from that State say so.
The President alone has the power to fire executive officials. Congress has tried and failed over the years to gain a say in the removal process.
There are some limits to the President's removal power. For example, the Supreme Court has ruled that a President may only remove certain officials for not doing their jobs. The President also does not have the power to remove Supreme Court justices or federal judges. These appointments are made for life or "good behavior." If a justice or judge is not doing his or her job, Congress may remove him or her through the impeachment process.