The U.S. Executive Branch
An Interactive Guide to the President & the Bureaucracy
The Power of One: The President’s Six Key Roles
The Constitution, in Article II, vests the entire “executive Power” in a single President. This singular authority is channeled into several distinct roles, each with its own set of responsibilities and tools. Click on each card below to explore the President’s primary functions and see how they shape both domestic and foreign policy through real-world examples.
The Bureaucracy: The Engine of Government
While the President is the CEO, the federal bureaucracy is the vast workforce that carries out the laws passed by Congress. It’s a complex system of departments and agencies filled with experts who manage everything from space exploration to food safety. This section explores how this massive structure is organized, its immense scale, and its direct impact on your daily life.
How It’s Organized
Cabinet Departments
Independent Agencies
Regulatory Commissions
Click on a category above to see its description and examples.
The Scale of the Bureaucracy
The federal civilian workforce includes nearly 2.9 million people. This chart shows the estimated number of employees in some of the largest departments, illustrating the vast scale of government operations.
The Bureaucracy in Your Life
- The Department of Education processes your FAFSA application for financial aid.
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures the safety of the food you eat and medicines you might take.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages the air traffic control system that makes flying safe.
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), part of the Treasury Department, processes your tax returns.