The President’s Job

A Snapshot

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Qualifications

The president must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and have lived in the United States at least 14 years.

How Elected

Americans vote for president every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. That popular vote chooses delegates to the Electoral College, which actually elects the president in December.

Term

Four years. The president cannot serve more than two terms.

Income

Yearly salary: $400,000.

Succession

If a president dies, resigns, is disabled, or is removed from office, the Vice president assumes the office. This has occurred nine times.

Job Description

The Constitution assigns the president two roles: chief executive of the federal government and Commander in Chief of the armed forces. As Commander in Chief, the president has the authority to send troops into combat, and is the only one who can decide whether to use nuclear weapons.

As chief executive, he enforces laws, treaties, and court rulings; develops federal policies; prepares the national budget; and appoints federal officials. He also approves or vetoes acts of Congress and grants pardons.