What Does the President Do?

Ages 3-5 Simple Explanation

You know how your school has a principal who helps make sure everything runs smoothly? The president is kind of like the principal of the whole country! The president lives in a big white house in Washington, D.C., and works every day to help take care of the United States and the people who live here.

One of the president's biggest jobs is making decisions. The president talks to lots of people, listens to ideas, and then decides what's best for the country. Sometimes the president talks to leaders from other countries too, kind of like how your teacher might talk to other teachers about what's happening at school.

The president also has to sign papers that turn ideas into rules for the whole country. When the people in Congress agree on a new rule, they send it to the president. If the president agrees, they sign it and it becomes a law that everyone follows.

People get to vote to pick who they want to be president. They choose the person they think will do the best job. And here's something cool — the president can only be in charge for a certain amount of time, and then someone new gets a turn. That way, lots of different people get a chance to lead!

Ages 6-8 More Detail

The President of the United States has one of the biggest jobs in the world. The president is the leader of the entire country and is in charge of the executive branch of the government — that's the part of government that carries out the laws and runs the day-to-day business of the nation.

One major part of the president's job is working with Congress on laws. When Congress passes a bill, it goes to the president's desk. The president can sign it and make it a law, or they can veto it — which means say no. If the president vetoes a bill, Congress can still try to override the veto, but they need a big majority to do it.

The president is also the Commander in Chief of the military, which means they're in charge of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force. The president doesn't fight in battles, but they make the big decisions about where and when the military is used.

Another big part of the job is working with leaders of other countries. The president meets with presidents, prime ministers, and kings and queens from around the world to talk about trade, peace, and problems that affect everyone. The president also picks ambassadors — people who represent the United States in other countries.

The president gets elected every four years and can serve a maximum of two terms, which means eight years total. During election season — which you might notice gets a lot of attention on the news — candidates travel around the country, give speeches, and explain their ideas. Then citizens vote on Election Day to pick who they want.

Being president is a 24-hour job. Even on weekends and holidays, the president has to be ready to handle emergencies, make tough decisions, and speak to the country when big things happen. It's a job that comes with a lot of power but also a huge amount of responsibility.

Ages 9-12 Full Explanation

The President of the United States serves as the head of state, the head of government, and the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. It's one of the most powerful positions in the world, but it's also a job with clear limits built into the system. The president can do a lot, but they can't do everything — and that's by design.

The president's most visible power involves legislation. When Congress passes a bill, the president can sign it into law or veto it. The president can also issue executive orders, which are directives that tell government agencies how to carry out existing laws. However, executive orders can be challenged in court or reversed by a future president, so they're not as permanent as actual laws passed by Congress.

As Commander in Chief, the president has authority over all branches of the U.S. military. The president can order troops to be deployed and direct military operations. However, only Congress has the power to officially declare war, which creates an important check on the president's military authority. In practice, presidents have often used military force without a formal declaration of war, which is an ongoing debate.

Foreign policy is another major area. The president negotiates treaties with other nations (though the Senate must approve them), appoints ambassadors, and represents the country on the world stage. Decisions about trade agreements, alliances, and international aid all fall heavily on the president's shoulders. During election years, candidates often debate their foreign policy ideas because these choices affect America's relationships around the globe.

The president also shapes the country by appointing federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, and by choosing the heads of government agencies like the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency. These appointments can have effects that last long after the president leaves office, since federal judges serve for life.

The Constitution limits the president to two four-year terms. This rule was added by the 22nd Amendment in 1951, inspired by George Washington's choice to step down after two terms. The system of checks and balances — where Congress makes laws, the president carries them out, and the courts interpret them — ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful. Understanding the president's role helps you see how the bigger system of American government fits together.