 
the president is the head of the executive branch of government, or the 
chief executive. 
he has many government employees to help him. 
the president is also commander in chief of the armed forces. 
if necessary, he can call out the troops to enforce a federal law, and he 
can send them to another country to protect american citizens. 
first of all, the chief executive must, as the constitution says, "take 
care that the laws be faithfully executed." 
for example, after the elementary and secondary education act was passed, 
the president had to see that the law was carried out. 
of course, he does not do this personally. 
he has many departments to do the job. 
the new education law was turned over to the department of health, 
education, and welfare (later divided into two separate departments). 
then this department began to receive applications for federal funds. 
the officials examined each application carefully to see whether the 
school district was entitled to government help as stated in the law. 
those districts that met the requirements received a federal grant (gift 
of money). 
the president is empowered to appoint thousands of officials. 
these appointments include ambassadors to represent the united states in 
other countries, the heads of departments, and high-ranking military 
officers. 
furthermore, he appoints all federal judges, including those on the 
supreme court. 
however, congress has some say in the matter. 
most of these officials must have the consent of the senate before they 
take office. 
even though he is not in congress, the president has much power in making 
new laws. 
