Many assume the president holds the highest power in the government. However, that’s not true. The founding fathers of America created “checks and balances” to ensure the three branches had equal power. Because of this, the sitting president can’t declare war or change the Constitution. You might take some of these simple privileges for granted. Here are 10 everyday things the president can’t do.
Open Windows
Believe it or not, the president can’t open the windows. If they are wearing a sweater and get hot, they can’t open a window themselves; someone else will do that for them. Safety is paramount and the Secret Service goes to great lengths to protect the president from assassins. Along with this, they lose the privilege of controlling the temperature. Though the item isn’t a major restriction, it can be an annoying inconvenience. Try sweating in your sweater!
Block People on Social Media
When your weird brother-in-law starts tweeting about bizarre conspiracy theories, you can block him. Unfortunately, the president doesn’t have that power. A court ruled that the president couldn’t block anyone on social media because doing so was deemed to violate the First Amendment’s free speech protections. So the next time you click “block friend” because you disagree with someone, remember what a privilege that is.
Drive
Have you ever seen a picture of a president driving a car? That’s because it is rare. Presidents usually have someone to drive for them. They sit in the back as their drivers take them to appointments and meetings. The restriction is a dated measure but odd nonetheless. So the next time someone cuts you off in traffic, remember the capability of driving your car.
Clean Their Office
The presidential desk collects dust, and no matter how dirty it gets, the president isn’t allowed to clean it. They have to wait for the cleaning staff to come around. This would drive some people nuts. For most, that would be a blessing. So, perhaps the next time you’re dusting the living room or vacuuming the stairs, just remember, the president is one lucky son of a gun.
Earn Outside Salary
When you are president, you hold the single most important job in the country. That’s why you’re not allowed to have a side hustle. There’s an obvious conflict of interest if the president were allowed to make money outside of their appointed duties. The president should have their full attention toward running the country; they shouldn’t be concerned with making money. The average yearly salary for a president is $400,000. For most people, that’s enough to live a comfortable life.
Declare War
While not an everyday activity for most, this item requires a little creativity. Many people assume the president can declare war against a nation; however, this is not true. Congress must pass a declaration of war by a majority vote. People may metaphorically go to war with someone—like that annoying coworker at the office—but it’s not necessarily a real war.
Change the Constitution
This item on our list also requires a tad of a stretch to make it relevant. The president does not have the power to change, alter, or add any provisions to the U.S. Constitution. The document is the framework under which democracy operates. Imagine you are the head of the household and everyone follows the rules based on your morals. People change, and therefore, rules change too. So the next time you change the curfew for your teen, imagine if your original rules were set in stone.
Fly a Commercial Airline
When you’re president of the U.S., you don’t have to deal with the hassle of flying commercially. They ride in Air Force One. It’s like the ultimate first-class experience. This is one of the perks of holding the highest position of power. The next time you fly on a commercial airliner, remember how lucky the president is to have an entire cabin to himself.
Break the Law
This one is obvious but worth mentioning. The president doesn’t have the right to break federal laws. Unless they are willing to face prosecution, the commander in chief can’t do whatever they please. They’ll suffer the consequences just as any ordinary citizen through a judicial process. This serves as a reminder that the president doesn’t have unlimited power, and that goes for everyone.
Easily Go to a Recital
The next time you complain about having to sit through an event, think about how lucky you are. When a sitting president’s child or grandkid has a big event, like a sports game or school function, the president can’t attend easily. That is, unless it is planned out entirely and securely guarded by the Secret Service. Even with a big production, security advisers could deny attendance. When you’re commander in chief, you can’t do certain things, but maybe that’s a good thing.
