When a president issues an executive order, he is exercising a(n)… Group of answer choices expressed power. formal power. implied power. delegated power.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is formal power.
An executive order is an official directive from the U.S. President to federal agencies that carries the force of law. It is a key aspect of the President’s authority, derived directly from the Constitution or statutes passed by Congress, which classifies it as a formal power. In the context of the U.S. political system, formal powers are those explicitly granted to a governmental office by the Constitution or laws, and issuing executive orders falls squarely into this category.
Explanation:
The U.S. Constitution, specifically in Article II, vests the executive power in the President. Although the Constitution does not specifically mention executive orders, it grants the President broad authority to ensure that federal laws are faithfully executed. This inherent executive authority enables the President to issue orders to manage operations within the federal government.
Executive orders are not subject to direct approval by Congress, though they can be challenged in the courts if they are seen as overstepping the boundaries of executive authority or conflicting with existing laws. Congress can also pass legislation to counteract an executive order, but this requires a veto-proof majority to override a potential presidential veto.
While executive orders are a form of formal power, they are different from expressed powers (those directly stated in the Constitution, such as the power to veto or appoint judges), delegated powers (those given to the President by Congress), or implied powers (those not explicitly stated but inferred from other powers). An executive order is the President acting within their constitutional role to direct federal agencies in implementing policies, making it a formal power.