What are some of the reasons as to why the President is given almost unlimited military powers
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.articleii.html#section2
Article I, Section 2
I apologize for the confusion, but your question seems to refer to the President's military powers rather than Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution, which pertains to the House of Representatives. However, I can provide some information about the President's military powers.
The President is given extensive military powers based on several reasons:
1. Commander-in-Chief: As stated in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, the President is designated as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. This gives the President the authority to make important decisions regarding the military, including the ability to deploy troops and make strategic decisions during times of war.
2. Quick Decision-Making: In times of crisis or emergency, it is essential for the President to have the ability to make swift decisions without needing to consult Congress. This allows for immediate action to be taken to protect national security.
3. Unity and Efficiency: By entrusting significant military powers to a single individual, the chains of command and decision-making processes can be streamlined and expedited. This helps to maintain unity within the military and ensure the efficiency of operations.
4. Expertise and Accountability: The President is typically surrounded by expert military advisors, including the Secretary of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff, who provide guidance and advice. This helps to ensure that informed decisions are made by the President, while also holding them accountable for their actions.
5. Constitutional Design: The U.S. Constitution was designed with a separation of powers, explicitly granting certain authority to the President. This division of responsibilities helps to maintain checks and balances within the government, preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant.
It is important to note that while the President possesses significant military powers, the Constitution also establishes certain limitations, such as requiring Congressional approval for declaring war or authorizing long-term military engagements.
The President is vested with significant military powers because the Constitution of the United States grants the executive branch the authority to be the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Some of the reasons behind this extensive power include:
1. Swift decision-making: By granting the President almost unlimited military powers, the Constitution allows for quick decision-making in times of crisis or emergencies. This ensures that the United States can respond rapidly to threats to national security.
2. Protection of national interests: The President being the commander-in-chief helps maintain the safety and security of the nation. By having ultimate authority over the military, the President can act swiftly to protect national interests and mitigate potential threats.
3. Civilian control of the military: Granting the President extensive military powers also upholds the principle of civilian control over the military. By placing authority with an elected civilian leader, it ensures that the military remains subordinate to civilian authority, in line with democratic principles.
4. The role of the executive branch: The Constitution assigns the responsibility for national security and defense matters primarily to the executive branch. Entrusting the President with significant military powers allows for the centralization of this authority in the branch of government specifically tasked with such matters.
To get more information on this topic, you can refer to Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, which outlines the powers of the President as the commander-in-chief. Additionally, legal resources such as the Cornell Law School's website provide detailed explanations of the constitutional provisions related to the President's military powers.