The President is also the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the United States, and is in constant communication with the top military leaders. Only Congress has the power to declare war, but the President, as head of the army, has the power to send American soldiers overseas for other purposes. These troops can stay up to 60 days, but no longer, unless Congress gives its approval for them to remain.

The President has other duties that involve issues outside of our country. He or she is America’s “chief diplomat.” The President is a leader of foreign policy. Foreign policy is our country’s plan for relationships with other countries. The President makes agreements, or treaties, with other countries, and appoints ambassadors who are official representatives from the American government to other countries. These treaties and ambassadorships must be approved by the Senate. The President hosts foreign leaders at the White House and travels abroad to meet with international leaders.

Many Americans view the President as a sort of symbol of the United States. In this role, the President is called the “Chief of State.” As Chief of State, the President speaks and acts on behalf of the entire country, performing ceremonial duties such as awarding medals to honor outstanding citizens, greeting visiting foreign dignitaries, throwing the first baseball to open the baseball season, and expressing the goals and values of the people of the United States.