Read about each of the actions below. Decide whether you believe the president should be able to
take each action. Explain your reasons for each decision.
a. A group of rebels in a foreign country overthrows its president and surrounds the American Embassy.
The U.S. president declares war on the rebel government.
b. The president has nominated a new federal judge, but the Senate has not yet approved the
appointment. It seems unlikely that the Senate will vote to confirm the new judge. When the Senate
goes on a holiday break, the president appoints the judge without the Senate's approval.
c. The president meets with the leader of a foreign country. Together, the two leaders agree not to
charge tariffs (taxes on imports) on each other's cars and trucks.
d. Congress passes a law that bans possession of certain drugs. The president instructs the Drug
Enforcement'Agency to focus their enforcement efforts on suspects who appear to be selling large
amounts of the illegal drugs, and not to worry much about people who are caught with small amounts.
e. A staff member from the vice president's office is sentenced to prison time for tampering with an
election. The president pardons the staffer, releasing her from prison.

A) a president should be able to take action because the rebels are threatening his status and the natural order of society. No rebel government should be able to attack the president without thinking thinking that the president isn't going to just sit there and not take action.
B) a president shouldn't be able to take action because the president needs the senate approval to confirm the new judge. Part of a senates job is to confirm a judge, if the president wants to do the senates job, then he or she can just become a senate. It is the smarts ( not the presidents responsibility) to confirm a new judge.
C) the president should be able to take action because he or she has gotten the approval of the other president to not charge a tariff on cars and trucks. This is beneficial as it strengthens the presidents alliance with the other president.
D) the president shouldn't be able to take action because a drug is harmful in small AND large amounts. The president shouldn't be instructing the agency what to do and what no to do because it's not his job. Also, a president should just be dismissing people who have a small amount of drugs.
E) the president shouldn't be able to take action because even if a person has a high political status ( and does an act that is jail worthy) they should still go to jail and not be excused. Being a Vice Presidents office member doesn't give you entitlements or special treatment to avoid going to prison. The president shouldn't pardon him or her as that will make him look bad in front of the public due to the fact that he allows votes to be tampered with.