The POTUS is the head of the American state and government, elected for a four-year term and limited to two terms. The president’s duties and powers are outlined in the US Constitution, and the Secret Service provides security while in office and for 10 years after leaving. The president is elected by the Electoral College, not individual citizens.
The President of the United States (POTUS) is the head of the American state and government, as well as heads the executive branch of the United States government. Together with the judicial and legislative branches, the president makes decisions about the management of the United States. The abbreviation “POTUS” was originally used by the Secret Service to refer to the president, and the term was adopted by the Department of Defense, along with other government agencies, in the 1990s. Most American citizens don’t use the term, even though many know what it means.
The duties and powers of the POTUS are set forth in Article Two of the United States Constitution, which details how the president will be elected, what he may do during his term, and the duties he should fulfill while elected. Requirements to hold office include a stipulation that the president must be a natural-born U.S. citizen age 35 or older, although some lawmakers have sought to change these requirements to allow naturalized citizens to run as well. A term lasts for four years and a president can only serve two terms. The president can be removed from office through a process called impeachment if he commits an act of treason, corruption or another serious crime.
While in office, the president receives a salary, along with the right of access to the White House, as well as other government-held facilities and equipment such as specialized aircraft set aside for his use. The president’s security is handled by the Secret Service, which also provides security for the president’s family members and the equipment the president uses. After leaving office, a former president gets a pension and is under Secret Service surveillance for the next 10 years: the last president to receive Lifetime Secret Service protection was William Jefferson Clinton, who left office in 2000.
The POTUS is the only nationally elected figure in America and is technically elected by the Electoral College, not by individual citizens. Within each state, citizens go to the polls to cast votes for their preferred candidate, and the state’s board of electors meets to confirm those votes. Traditionally, voters agree to vote for the candidate who won their state, although historically voters have been known to throw protest ballots, which are blank. These votes are certified by Congress shortly before the inauguration of the new president.
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