President, vice president & agencies
The executive branch carries out federal laws. It includes elected leaders and appointed officials.
New to this? Start with these words.
- Executive branch
- The part of government that carries out laws.
- Agency
- A public organization responsible for particular programs or duties.
- Appointed
- Selected through a process other than a public election for that office.
Learn at your own pace. Browse the plain-language glossary →
President
The president leads the executive branch, signs or vetoes legislation, commands the armed forces, and nominates many senior officials and federal judges. Congress and the courts place limits on presidential power.
Vice president
The vice president can succeed the president and serves as president of the Senate, casting a vote when the Senate is evenly divided.
Voters participate in the presidential election through the Electoral College process. They do not elect the president by a single nationwide popular-vote total.
Cabinet & federal agencies
Departments and agencies administer federal programs and implement laws. Many senior executive officials are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. They do not each have a separate public election.
- Branches of the U.S. government · USAGov
- The Electoral College · USAGov
- Presidential election process · USAGov
Reviewed October 19, 2026. How this guide is researched.
Meet the people holding these offices.
The directory covers the president, vice president, and heads of all 15 executive departments, with career context and selected records.
Explore executive leadership →