The Separation Of Powers In The United States

The form of government currently in place in the United States, implements separation of powers and Federalism. The separation of powers creates three branches of government, the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. With each branch having different powers to keep each branch in check and from having too much power. Among the most powerful figures are the president and congress, with each having certain privileges in foreign and domestic matters. The president of the United States possesses a range of powers and privileges under the constitution. They include such abilities as being able to pardon anyone convicted of a federal crime, the power to issue executive orders that govern executive branch operations, the
The president has the power to issue executive agreements which is an agreement entered into between a foreign government and the executive branch of United States. An executive agreement binds the United States with as much force as a treaty, but it is not as formal as a treaty and does not require the approval of the senate. For example, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), entered into January 1, 1994, that created one of the world’s largest free trade zones and laid the foundations for strong economic growth in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The President’s ability to issue executive orders derives from the vague constitutional language of Article II of the Constitution, granting “executive power” to the president, they allow the President to implement his policies. Examples of executive agreements include when President Franklin Roosevelt broke the record for most executive orders issues, among them, the executive order that led to Japanese-American internment camps in World War II. A more recent executive order was passed in 2012 by President Barack Obama, which halted the deportation of hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. President Obama also issued an executive order that raised the minimum wage for federal workers from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour. (Koba) It is the President’s responsibility for formulating US foreign policy, they have the power to make treaties with foreign nations (with the advice and consent of the Senate). They can also negotiate with nations separately or through international organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or