One of the president’s top assistants who is in charge of media relations

The institution that is composed of a set of electors who are chosen to elect a president and vice president into office every four years

A member of a political party chosen in each state to formally elect the president and vice president

The deciding vote in an election or court case

The president’s closest advisers, consisting of the vice president, the secretaries of each of the 15 executive departments, and other top government officials that help the president make decisions and policy

The established order of people who would fill the office of the president, in the case that the office became vacant through death, impeachment, or resignation of one or more officer. The order starts with the vice president, followed by the Speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate

A presidential order that pardons a group of people who have committed an offense against the government

A presidential order that releases a person from legal punishment

A presidential order that postpones legal punishment

Done in secret

A formal order given by a higher authority; an authorization to act given to a representative; the expressed will of the people through an election. Presidents with a large margin of victory claim to have this from the people

A legally binding pact between the president and the head of a foreign government that does not require Senate approval

A rule issued by the president that has the force of law

The president’s refusal to spend money Congress has voted to fund a program

Rejection of a bill by the president

The power of an executive to reject one or more items in a bill without vetoing the entire bill

Exercising political power without legal authority

A formal agreement between the governments of two or more countries. In the United States, this requires approval from the Senate

The practice of granting favors to reward party loyalty

The practice of victorious politicians rewarding their supporters with government jobs

The official residence and offices of an ambassador and his or her staff. The function of this office is to make diplomatic communication between governments easier

An order that will stop an action or enforce a rule or regulation

One who works for a department or agency of the federal government; a civil servant

Government employment based on competitive examinations and merit

A federal employee who reports corruption or wrongdoing by the government

An officer who develops relationships with the elected officials and congressional staff members who have authority over the work of his or her department

These independent agencies have the government’s authority to issue licenses and punish people and groups that violate the laws under their authority. Examples include the Federal Communications Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency

The president describes his legislative priorities to Congress and calls attention to ideas about how to solve key problems facing the country in this annual event