Presidential Power? Here’s Where It Stops!

The office of the President of the United States is, by far, one of the most powerful positions in the world. However, there are a ton of things the President can’t do. Despite all that power, the U.S. Constitution, the system of checks and balances, and even centuries of tradition establish real limits on what the leader can do in the office.

Most of these limits exist to protect democracy and prevent abuses of power, but some might make you laugh. For example, did you know that the president is not allowed to open the windows of the White House? So, while everyone focuses on what presidents can do, let’s also discover what they can’t do, because it’s just as important.

Americans tend to assume that the president has unlimited control, but the truth is that presidents are bound by the Constitution, restricted by Congress, and checked by the Supreme Court. And that’s not all! At the end of the day, we must admit that their jobs are not easy at all. Can you imagine a life under intense personal and public scrutiny, with legal, ethical, and symbolic expectations you must follow each day?

It’s impossible to satisfy everyone, but the president still needs to establish a balance. He needs the people’s support to succeed.

Continue reading and have a closer look at the surprising things presidents can never do while in office. No matter how famous, strong, or ambitious they are, the legal restrictions they need to follow are no joke. The American system designed these restrictions to prevent the leader from rising above the law.

14 Surprising Rules the US Presidents Have to Follow

1. They can’t break the law

No matter how powerful the office, the president is not above the law. Presidents have some legal immunities, but it doesn’t mean they can simply commit crimes. For example, if a president were to deliberately obstruct justice, they could face impeachment and removal by Congress.

Moreover, once a president leaves office, they can still face criminal charges for actions taken during their term. This reinforces that no one, not even the commander-in-chief, stands above the legal system.

2. They can’t declare war alone

We often hear about the possibility of a war declaration, but in reality, the Constitution gives that power exclusively to Congress. While the president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, they need congressional approval to formally declare war.

So, yes, presidents can order military action, but without a formal war declaration. Even though this led to debates over the limits of executive military power, the authority to declare war lies with Congress, and the president must work within that framework.

3. They can’t try new foods

Sounds funny? Ha, ha. Well, the presidents need to pay attention to their food and can’t go out for a quick bite without prior coordination to ensure the meal is safe for consumption. Can you believe that presidential food ”tasters” do exist?

Even though the Secret Service doesn’t speak openly about it, there were multiple times when important people from the White House mentioned the role to the press.

In 2013, at a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill, Obama didn’t test anything and looked longingly at the food, according to Maine Senator Susan Collins. So, yes, all these restrictions can sometimes lead to awkward situations.

4. They can’t copyright published works

While in office, U.S. presidents are supposed to be on duty 24/7, so that means that everything they write while in office, including their speeches, is free for others to use.

Now you know why all the presidents come up with their memoirs after they leave their jobs. They want to protect their data and not give the information the chance to be repurposed.

5. They can’t drive a car

You might have already known about this one. U.S. presidents are not allowed to drive their vehicles on public roads, but public property is a different story. For example, George W. Bush drove a pickup truck in Crawford, TX. Another president who loved driving was Ronald Reagan, who enjoyed driving his Jeeps near Santa Barbara, CA.

Unlike Bush and Reagan, Obama was only seen driving a golf cart during his years in office, but what was interesting was that he was doing it without the Secret Service at his side.

6. They can’t hide from the media

Even though presidents can choose when and how to engage with the media, they can’t fully shut out the press. So, journalists have the right to question and report on presidential actions.

Sometimes, they do an amazing job, letting the people know hidden things about their presidential lifestyle, but we can’t simply overlook how hard it has to be for the people in power to handle all the negative press titles about them and their families.

The press is full of fake news, and whoever becomes president needs to be mentally prepared for harsh criticism and a life of chaos.

7. They can’t accept expensive gifts

Did you know that there are strict rules against presidents accepting expensive gifts from world leaders? Anything with a lesser value than $390 can be accepted and is considered a ”mark of courtesy”. Since 2017, the law says that every gift worth more than $390 has to be turned over to the National Archives.

For example, to be able to keep a dog. which was a gift from the Bulgarian president, George W. Bush, had to purchase it legally.

8. They can’t spend money without Congress

Many Americans believe that the president has the power to simply open the national wallet and start spending, which is completely false. Under the Constitution, Congress controls the ”power of the purse”, meaning it decides how federal money is raised and spent.

Yes, the president can propose a budget and can also advocate for funding priorities, but Congress is the one to actually authorize the spending. This law ensures that no single person controls the nation’s finances, maintaining a critical check on executive power.

9. They can’t make laws alone

Even though presidents can sign bills and issue executive orders, they can’t pass laws by themselves. This authority belongs to Congress. The executive orders can direct the way laws are going to be implemented, but they can’t create entirely new laws.

This limitation prevents presidents from bypassing the legislative process and ensures that major legal changes require democratic approval.

10. They can’t use the office for personal profit

There are strict rules presidents need to follow when it comes to their profits. It’s strictly forbidden for the president to use the office and enrich themselves personally. The Constitution’s Emoluments Clauses prohibit federal officials, including the president, from accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments without congressional approval.

And that’s not all! Ethical guidelines bar the president from using government resources, contracts, or influence for personal business gain. Violating these rules can lead to long-term legal consequences.

11. They can’t open the windows in the White House

Isn’t it funny how even the most powerful person in the world can’t crack a window in his house? So, basically breeze is never let in the White House.

In 2015, Michelle Obama related to Stephen Colbert that the Secret Service requires that all the windows stay closed, and the same rules apply to windows in all official transportation.

12. They can’t be alone in public

The Secret Service never allows presidents to go out in public by themselves. There are strict rules they need to follow, especially when it comes to their protection.

In an interview with NBC, the former agent Jonathan Wackrow said that the Secret Service is the most intrusive thing that anyone could ever experience, because the president can never behave like a normal human. They always need to consider the risk factors before deciding to do something.

13. They can’t travel unaccompanied

Presidents are always accompanied, especially while traveling, when they can be exposed to unexpected situations. As average citizens, it might be hard for us to understand exactly what all these limits mean in a person’s life. The presidents are often considered full of money and power, but in reality, they can’t afford the luxury of doing things alone.

Presidents are always accompanied by a Secret Service member, who is carrying a special briefcase with all kinds of top-secret contents. No one really knows what these contents are, but ot’s clear that they provide a way for the president to confirm his identity in case of an emergency.

The briefcase is called ”football” and it also provides a list of options in case of a nuclear conflict. The leaders have to be prepared to activate the briefcase, which is carried by a Secret Service agent close to them whenever they go.

14. They can’t ride in a convertible

Last but not least, presidents can’t ride in a convertible since the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which represents a turning point in the history of presidential security. Nowadays, waving from an automobile that can put the president’s life in danger is not an option anymore.

Even though it wasn’t the first time John F. Kennedy was seen rising through crowded streets, that tragic day in Dallas could never be forgotten.

These rules don’t apply only to the United States presidents. For example, in 1963, when Kennedy waved to crowds from a convertible during a visit to Dublin, the Irish president commented ”What an easy target he would have been”.

Every president is always in charge, trying to make the smartest moves to protect their life. Considering the chaos going on right now in the United States, it’s completely normal for President Donald Trump to be extra cautious with his public appearances.

A lot of people hate how things turned out in our country, but it doesn’t mean that anyone has the right to attack the president in any form. The only power we hold, as average citizens, is the power of the vote. So, let’s make sure that the next time we have the chance to vote for something, to do it responsibly… to do it right.

We might feel overwhelmed by all the pressure that surrounds us, but we should always stay informed when it comes to the future of our lives. We have the power to decide, and if we don’t do it for ourselves, others will benefit from our vulnerability.

Now that you know the shocking limits of presidential power, let’s move forward and see what happens when the president breaks the rules.

What Happens When a U.S. President Breaks the Rules

• The nation reacts

One of the first things that happens when the president breaks the rules is a wave of reactions. In today’s world, news spreads incredibly fast. So, protests, rallies, and social media campaigns can erupt almost overnight. Citizens might take to the streets, demanding accountability.

We all know how rapidly the news networks work, and they will most likely analyze every detail of the president’s illegal actions. Approval ratings, known for measuring how much the public supports the president, can collapse within days if people feel betrayed or outraged.

The waves created can have real consequences and even spill onto the global stage, international media covering the scandals and starting to question America’s leadership.

• Congressional investigations

Once the public and the political opponents raise concerns, the Congress steps in. Congressional investigations are a formal process designed to uncover facts, interview witnesses, and hold the executive branch accountable.

These investigations usually start in a few days, often producing headline moments as officials are grilled on live television. At this point, everyone’s goal is to gather evidence, and the investigations are a key part of the system of checks and balances. When Congress investigates, it’s exercising its constitutional right to oversee the executive branch and protect democracy.

• Filing charges against the president

Once everyone knows exactly what the president did and how he broke the law, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach and formally accuse the president of misconduct.

It’s important to know that impeachment is not the same as removal from office. The process begins with a vote in the House Judiciary Committee, which drafts articles of impeachment outlining the accusations. If the committee approves, the full House votes. A simple majority (over %50%) is enough to impeach.

If we look over the past decades, impeachment has been rare in the United States’ history; only 3 presidents have been impeached. However, none of them were removed by the Senate. The presidents are Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump.

• Deciding the president’s fate

After impeachment by the House, the process moves to the Senate, which holds a formal trial to determine whether the president should be removed from office. For removal, the Senate must reach a two-thirds majority, which means that at least 67 out of 100 senators must vote to convict.

Senate trials are very rare events, but they clearly have the power to capture national and global attention. They test the strength of American institutions and reveal how deeply divided, or united, the nation’s leaders are.

• Facing legal consequences

The protection of criminal prosecution ends the moment the president leaves the office. It means that after their term, former presidents can face serious lawsuits, criminal investigations, and charges related to actions taken while in office.

These kinds of legal battles can seriously affect the former president’s reputation and even drain their financial resources. However, the leaders should keep in mind that accountability doesn’t stop when the term ends. So, paying attention to their actions is extremely important, not only for their presidential years, but for their entire lives.

Before leaving, feel free to let us know what you think about the current political situation in our country. Are you afraid of what might be coming, or are you optimistic? Admit it or not, it’s not easy at all to live in a world where chaos triumphs. The stress levels are high, and being overwhelmed by everything going on is completely normal.

We suggest you stay calm and not lose hope because everything happens for a reason. Better times are coming our way. Also, let us know if there is any topic you would like to discuss in the next articles found on our website. Your opinion matters to us.

Are you interested in learning more about the American presidents? Here’s a book that became a best seller in entrepreneurship: Trump: The Art of the Deal

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