The executive branch carries out federal law. It includes the President, Vice President, Executive Office of the President, Cabinet departments, independent agencies, regulatory commissions, law-enforcement bodies, and career public servants who administer programs and deliver services.

The President leads the executive branch, but presidential authority works through people and offices. The Vice President has constitutional duties in the Senate and succession system. The Executive Office of the President helps coordinate policy, budgets, national security, legal review, communications, and daily operations.

Presidents sign or veto bills, nominate officials, direct agencies, conduct foreign affairs, command the armed forces, issue executive actions, and communicate national priorities. Those powers are checked by Congress, courts, inspectors general, elections, appropriations, transparency laws, and public accountability.

Executive orders, proclamations, memoranda, determinations, and notices can direct executive-branch activity, delegate authority, announce policy, and document official decisions. Agencies then turn many directions into programs, guidance, rules, forms, or enforcement priorities.

To understand executive power, follow one decision all the way through the system: a President announces a priority, an agency carries it out, the public comments, Congress oversees funding and authority, and courts may review legal disputes.