Who Is the President of the United States
The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government. The role is defined by the U.S. Constitution and federal law.
Current President and Key Duties
The current president leads the executive branch, commands the armed forces, and signs or vetoes legislation. The president also appoints cabinet members and federal judges, subject to Senate confirmation.
How the President Is Chosen
The president is elected every four years through the Electoral College. Citizens vote for electors pledged to a candidate, and the candidate who reaches 270 electoral votes wins the presidency. Learn more about the process on the official U.S. government site usa.gov/election.
