President of the Day

Handy Politics Answer Book
ISBN: 9781578591398
$21.95

Who can become president, what oath does the president take, and what is the president’s job description?

  • The job is limited to those over a certain age and with a minimum length of U.S. residency.
  • Two duties are paramount, with a host of other responsibilities.
  • They must swear to preserve, protect, and defend it.


Can anyone run for president?

No. According to Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, any person seeking the presidency must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the United States for at least 14 years. Constitutional scholars have debated whether a child born abroad of an American parent constitutes “a natural-born citizen.” While most maintain that such a person should qualify as a natural-born citizen, no definitive consensus has been reached.

What is the presidential oath?

The oath of the office for the president is outlined in Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, as reads as follows: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Usually, the chief justice of the Supreme Court administers the oath, although there is no provision made for this within the Constitution. In fact, throughout American history other judges have administered the oath at times of unexpected presidential succession.

What is the president’s job description?

The president’s chief duty is to protect the Constitution and enforce the laws made by Congress. However, he also has a host of other responsibilities tied to his “job description”: recommending legislation to Congress; calling special sessions of Congress; delivering messages to Congress; signing or vetoing legislation; appointing federal judges; appointing heads of federal departments and agencies and other principal federal officials; appointing representatives to foreign countries; carrying on official business with foreign nations; acting as commander in chief of the armed forces; and granting pardons for offenses against the United States.

< Previous Fact Next Fact >


Dig deeper with these related titles:

Handy Presidents 2e The Handy Presidents Answer Book Second Edition
by David L Hudson, Jr.

A complete look at every Presidents' who, what, when, where, why, and, how . . . Offering an engaging overview of the U.S.... Read More »

ISBN: 9781578593170
$42.95
Handy History, 2nd Ed. The Handy History Answer Book, 2nd Edition
by Rebecca Nelson Ferguson

All things must pass. In an understatement of historic proportions, quite a few things have passed since the end of the last millennium, when The... Read More »

ISBN: 9781578591701
$21.95
Handy Supreme Court The Handy Supreme Court Answer Book
by David L Hudson, Jr.

What's arguably the Supreme Court's most controversial decision? Which Justices signed the Declaration of Independence? How much do you really know... Read More »

ISBN: 9781578591961
$39.95
Handy Politics Answer Book The Handy Politics Answer Book
by Gina Misiroglu

In these politically charged times, interest in the political process is peaking. From the national election debacle in Florida to 9/11 to... Read More »

ISBN: 9781578591398
$21.95