Presidential Power Expansion

Since the establishment of the United States of America, the power of the President has increased dramatically and has continued to expand over time. Specifically regarding foreign policy, is where the power of the President has continued to expand over time. Presidential power has continued to expand for many reasons. First, presidents do not believe they need congressional approval with international legal sanction. Presidents Clinton and Bush both relied on international legal authority in the form of UN Security Council resolutions to pursue military force. For example, when President Clinton gave his speech to the media justifying his decisions to deploy troops in Iraq and Iran… For example, President Reagan also abused his power …show more content…
Congress has the most power when it comes to checking the President’s actions. However, more recently, there has been a lack of oversight from Congress. Congress’s lack of overseeing and checking the President has not only led to the continued expansion of presidential power but the abuse of it as well. For example,
Next, according to foreign policy specialist Michael Cairo, there is popular belief that Congress should not get in the President’s way emergency. This thought has led casual observers to believe that the president, as commander in chief, is entitled to unilateral military powers when deploying and using U.S. troops and forces abroad. Lastly, presidential power has continued to expand because the American public and Congress continue to accept the President’s decisions and actions. Since the American public and Congress accept the United Nations as providing necessary authority for the use of force, presidents no longer feel they need congressional authorization in foreign affairs. And as long as nobody questions or checks the President’s decisions or actions, presidential power will continue to