The Toughest Job in America?

Nobody said being president would be easy. U.S. President Donald Trump leads the planet’s strongest superpower. He commands massive armies and can tap huge financial resources with the stroke of a pen. Yet in the two years since he’s taken office, other people in the U.S. government have kept saying no to him.

Recently, for example, Democrats in Congress blocked the president’s plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border—at least temporarily. And last November, a federal court judge stopped the president’s attempt to restrict how migrants can apply to stay in the U.S.

Trump isn’t the only president who has struggled with the limits of his power. Every American leader going back to George Washington (in office 1789-1797) has as well. That’s just how the Framers of the U.S. Constitution planned it. They organized the federal government so that none of its three branches—the executive branch (headed by the president), the legislative branch (Congress), and the judicial branch (the courts)—would be more powerful than the others.

Another thing unites our presidents: Almost all of them found that the duties of the office were much harder to fulfill than they expected. Indeed, many experts have called the presidency “an impossible job.”

Most of the president’s basic tasks are outlined by Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Others were created by acts of Congress or through tradition. All together, they form a position of great authority—and enormous responsibility. Here’s a look at the seven main roles that make up the tough job of our nation’s highest elected official.

Nobody said being president would be easy. U.S. President Donald Trump leads the planet’s strongest superpower. He commands massive armies. He can tap huge financial resources with the stroke of a pen. Yet in the two years since he has taken office, other people in the U.S. government have kept saying no to him.

Recently, for example, Democrats in Congress temporarily blocked the president’s plan to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. And last November, a federal court judge stopped the president’s attempt to restrict how migrants can apply to stay in the U.S.

Trump is not the only president who has struggled with the limits of his power. Every American leader going back to George Washington (in office 1789-1797) has as well. That is just how the Framers of the U.S. Constitution planned it. They organized the federal government so that none of its three branches would be more powerful than the others. The executive branch is headed by the president. The legislative branch is Congress. The judicial branch is the courts.

Another thing unites our presidents: Almost all of them found the duties of the office much harder to carry out than they expected. Indeed, many experts have called the presidency “an impossible job.”

Most of the president’s basic tasks are outlined by Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Others were created by acts of Congress or through tradition. Together, they form a position of great authority and enormous responsibility. Here is a look at the president’s seven main roles. They make up the tough job of our nation’s highest elected official.

The president shares responsibility for the economy with Congress. But as the nation’s chief executive, he is expected to help it run smoothly—and as fairly for all Americans as possible. Overseeing the economy includes many factors, such as trying to keep the unemployment rate down and aiding businesses. Every year, the president proposes a budget for the country. This determines how much money each part of the government, such as the military, will get to operate. Congress adds its own priorities—and sometimes changes the president’s suggested budget completely. The final budget must be passed by Congress and signed by the president.

The president shares responsibility for the economy with Congress. But as the nation’s chief executive, he is expected to help the economy run smoothly. He also is expected to help it run as fairly for all Americans as possible. Overseeing the economy includes many factors. It involves trying to keep the unemployment rate down and aiding businesses. Every year, the president proposes a budget for the country. The budget determines how much money each part of the government, such as the military, will get to operate. Congress adds its own things it considers important. Sometimes, Congress changes the president’s suggested budget completely. The final budget must be passed by Congress and signed by the president.

The president serves as the leader of his political party and plays a key role in shaping its positions on important issues. He helps raise money for the party and campaigns for members who have supported his policies and are running for office. Experts say that Barack Obama (2009-2017) reshaped the Democratic Party during his presidency. Under Obama’s direction, the party became much bolder in its support of rights for minorities and undocumented immigrants.

The president serves as the leader of his political party. He plays a key role in shaping its positions on important issues. He also helps raise money for the party. He campaigns for party members who have supported his policies and are running for office. Experts say that Barack Obama (2009-2017) reshaped the Democratic Party during his presidency. Under Obama’s direction, the party became much bolder in its support of rights for minorities and undocumented immigrants.

Another crucial presidential task is maintaining America’s role as a world leader. A president has to decide what the nation’s relationships with other governments will be like. His goals and actions—including meeting with foreign leaders, often in tough negotiations—make up his foreign policy. Chief among President Trump’s foreign policy aims is convincing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (below left) to give up his nuclear weapons. Presidents also appoint ambassadors who represent the U.S. to foreign nations.

The president has the sole power to negotiate treaties—formal agreements with other countries. Treaties serve important functions, such as ending wars or promoting trade. Before such agreements can take effect, however, they have to be ratified by the Senate.

Another crucial presidential task is maintaining America’s role as a world leader. A president has to decide what the nation’s relationships with other governments will be like. His goals and actions make up his foreign policy. For example, he meets with foreign leaders. He often handles tough negotiations. Chief among President Trump’s foreign policy aims is convincing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (below left) to give up his nuclear weapons. Presidents also appoint ambassadors. They represent the U.S. to foreign nations.

The president has the sole power to work out treaties. Treaties are formal agreements with other countries. They serve important purposes, such as ending wars or promoting trade. But before such agreements can take effect, they have to be ratified by the Senate.

Only Congress has the power to make laws. But presidents have several ways to influence legislation. As a bill works its way through Congress, the president will call members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to urge them to vote for or against it. He will also invite members of Congress to the White House to discuss a proposed bill.

Presidents have another tool when it comes to new laws passed by Congress: They can veto (reject) legislation that they don’t like. Congress can override the president’s veto by a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate.

Only Congress has the power to make laws. But presidents have several ways to influence legislation. As a bill works its way through Congress, the president will call members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. He will urge them to vote for or against the bill. He will also invite members of Congress to the White House to discuss a proposed bill.

Presidents have another tool when it comes to new laws passed by Congress: They can veto (reject) legislation that they don’t like. Congress can override the president’s veto by a two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate.