THE CABINET
Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1: The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
Each of the fifteen cabinet departments is headed by a secretary, except for the Department of Justice, which is headed by the Attorney General.
Each of the fifteen cabinet departments is headed by a secretary, except for the Department of Justice, which is headed by the Attorney General.
- All department heads are chosen by the President & confirmed by the Senate
- Manage a specific policy area with responsibility further divided among various agencies
- Secretaries often develop a strong loyalty to their departments. They become closer to the department than to the President.
- Secretaries have varying levels of influence on presidential decisions
- Secretaries can be fired by the president