The President and Cabinet
Obama Tax Return for 2010
Read about President Barack Obama's tax return and find out how much the president and first lady paid in taxes for 2010. Find out from the Obama tax return how much President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama earned in 2010. See the list of charitable contributions and deductions on the Obama tax return and find out how much of a tax refund...
Fun Facts About the 2010 White House Christmas Tree
Learn all about the White House Christmas tree chosen in 2010. Find out what kind of tree and how tall the White House Christmas tree was in 2010. Read about the rich traditions surrounding the delivery and display of the White House Christmas tree. Discover where the White House Christmas tree came from in 2010.
What Charles Dickens and Barack Obama Have in Common
Discover why critics claim Barack Obama is a socialist. Find out who said Obama is a socialist and learn about a another historical figure accused of being socialist.
The Myth About Obama and the Holiday Tree
Learn about the White House Christmas tree during the Obama years. Discover the truth behind the myth that Obama renamed the White House Christmas tree. See how the rumor about Obama and the White House Christmas tree spread.
What Obama Really Said About Michael Vick
Find out what President Barack Obama said about NFL quarterback and convicted felon Michael Vick. See why Obama's remarks about Michael Vick caused controversy. Learn how the White House clarified Obama's statements about Michael Vick after they caused controversy in the media.
Historian Confesses to Lincoln Document Forgery
Since 1998, historians had believed that President Abraham Lincoln’s final official act had been to grant a pardon to a Patrick Murphy, a Union Army soldier who had been court-martialed for desertion during the Civil War. Now it turns out that the historians had been deceived by one of their own.
Presidential Succession
A brief history and current process of presidential succession in the United States.
Who Wrote O?
Read about the intense political and literary speculation over who wrote O. Find out the leading theories on who wrote O. See whether the mystery of who wrote O impacted book sales.
Did Obama Double the National Debt?
Read about an email that claims President Barack Obama tried to double the national debt in his first year in office. Find out whether claims Obama doubled the national debt are grounded in truth. See where allegations Obama doubled the national debt may be rooted.
What Does the White House Social Secretary Do?
Find out what the White House social secretary does. Read a description of the type of events put on by the White House social secretary. See why the job of White House social secretary is considered one of the most stressful, important yet least understood in Washington.
Obama NCAA Bracket Controversy
Read details about the Obama NCAA bracket. See why the Obama NCAA bracket caused so much controversy in 2011.
Michelle Obama's Staff
Find out how many people are on the MIchelle Obama staff. See how much members of the Michelle Obama staff get paid. Learn about all the different titles on the Michelle Obama staff. Discover how the Michelle Obama staff compares to those of previous first ladies.
Has There Ever Been a Male White House Social Secretary?
Read about the first male to serve as White House social secretary. Discover biographical information about the first male White House social secretary. Find out why the appointment of the first male White House social secretary was notable.
Obama White House Accepts Openness Award in Secret
Find out why the Obama White House was criticized for lack of transparency. Read about Obama White House efforts to make the federal government more open to the public. See who met with the Obama White House privately in March 2011. Learn about the reaction to the secret Obama White House meeting.
Where It's Illegal to Display Pictures of Obama
Find out where pictures of Obama are restricted or banned under federal guidelines. See what kinds of pictures of Obama are permitted in the federal workplace. Learn about the penalties for displaying pictures of Obama for political reasons in government offices.
Biden Tax Return for 2010
Read about Vice President Joe Biden's tax return and find out how much he and his wife paid in taxes for 2010. Find out from the Biden tax return how much Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden earned in 2010. See the list of charitable contributions and deductions on the Biden tax return and find out how much of a tax payment the vice president owed at the end of the year.
The Online John F. Kennedy Archive
Need to know something about John F. Kennedy and his one thousand days as 35th President of the United States? Well you’re in luck because the National Archives along with the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation have produced the nation’s largest online presidential archive featuring the papers, records, photographs and recordings of the John F. Kennedy administration.
Was the Obama Royal Wedding Snub for Real?
Find out whether the Obama Royal Wedding Snub myth is true. Learn the details behind the Obama Royal Wedding Snub rumors. See who spread claims of the Obama Royal Wedding Snub. Discover who else wasn't invited to the royal wedding thereby disproving the Obama Royal Wedding Snub myth.
Funniest Obama Jokes From the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner
Read the funniest Obama jokes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2011. See who was skewered by Obama jokes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Find out which topics were fair game for Obama jokes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The Obama Easter Proclamation Controversy
Discover why there was no Obama Easter proclamation in 2011. Read criticism over the lack of an Obama Easter proclamation. See how the White House defended the missing Obama Easter proclamation. Find out the history of Easter proclamations and the Obama Easter proclamation controversy.
Why the U.S. House Rebuked Obama on Libya
FInd out why the House of Representatives rebuked the decisions made by Obama on Libya. Learn about the War Powers Resolution as it relates to the U.S. involvement in Libya. See how the Obama administration responded to criticism of the president's decision to launch military action without backing from Congress.
Why Obama Used Autopen to Sign the Patriot Act Extension
Find out why President Barack Obama didn't use his real signature to enact the Patriot Act in 2011. Read about Obama's use of the autopen and the controversy that ensued in 2011. Discover what the constitution says about presidential signature requirements on legislation.
Did Obama Violate the War Powers Resolution?
Read about the War Powers Resolution and allegations that President Barack Obama violated the law. Discover why a group of 10 lawmakers sued the president over the U.S. involvement in Libya in 2011. Find out how the Obama administration defended ordering an intervention in Libya. Read excerpts of the administration's case for activities in Libya.
Chuck Hagel: Secretary of Defense
Biography of Chuck Hagel, U.S. Secretary of Defense and former U.S. Senator.
Should Obama Take Credit for US Oil Production Hike?
Is President Obama overstating his role in the increase of U.S. domestically produced oil?
Why Puerto Rico Matters in the Race for President
Find out whether voters in Puerto Rico can vote in U.S. presidential elections. Learn about the laws that govern U.S. territories voters in American politics. See why they are able to cast ballots in presidential primaries but not elections. Read about the definition of a U.S. territory.
Jacob J. 'Jack' Lew Secretary of the Treasury
Biography of Jacob J. "Jack" Lew, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Was the Obama Bus Really Made in Canada?
Find out if there's any truth to the claim that the Obama bus was partly made in Canada. See why Obama faced criticism over his preferred mode of transportation during the presidential campaign. Read the truth about where the federal government bought the luxury bus. Discover what's onboard the vehicle.
John Kerry: Secretary of State
Biography of John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State and former U.S. Senator.
Was the Easter Egg Roll Really Outlawed by Congress?
Find out why Congress effectively banned the traditional Easter Egg Roll from U.S. Capitol grounds. Read about the controversy that embroiled the Easter Egg Roll in the late 1870s. Discover what happened to the Easter Egg Roll after federal law forced it from the Capitol. See where the Easter Egg Roll is held now.
Is the Washington Monument Really Leaning?
Find out why some people said the Washington Monument was leaning in 2011. See how such claims spread and what the truth about damage to the popular tourist attraction really was. Learn about prior damage and the history of restoration projects at the Washington, D.C., landmark.
How Much Did That Obama Bus Cost?
How much did President Obama's custom-built re-election campaign tour bus cost the American taxpayer?
One Term Presidents
Learn about the one term presidents in American history. Find out which one term presidents were defeated in re-election bids. Discover why one term presidents were turned out of office by voters. See who replaced America's one term presidents and find out whether they fared any better.
Presidential Executive Orders
Exclusive of the legislative process, the President of the United States has the power to direct the activities of the federal agencies through the issuance of executive orders.
Presidential Appointments: No Senate Required
High-level presidential appointments that do not require Senate approval.
Annual Salaries of Top US Government Officials
Current annual salaries of top elected and appointed US government officials, along with the annual salaries for these officials in 2000 or 2001.
Presidential Retirement Benefits
Presidential retirement benefits were non-existent until the enactment of the Former Presidents Act (FPA) in 1958. Since then, presidential retirement benefits have included a lifetime annual pension, staff and office allowances, travel expenses, civil service protection and more.
More Information About the President’s Cabinet
Information About the President’s Cabinet
The President's Cabinet Agencies
Links to the Agencies and Secretaries that answer America's #1 civics homework question. From your About.com Guide.
Presidential Pay and Compensation
Pay and Compensation of the President of the United States
The President -- Briefly
A brief description of the role and powers of the President of the United States.
Pay and Compensation of the President
Learn about the salary and benefits paid to the President. Includes a Presidential pay raise history and comparison of the President's pay to that of other US politicians. From your About Guide.
The Search for PT-109
In a pictorial titled Where Are They Now, go along with National Geographic photographers and Kennedy nephew Max Kennedy as they scour the Soloman Islands for those credited with saving the lives of JFK and his shipwrecked crew in 1943. There are also photos of PT-109 during WWII and of the Japanese ship that sunk it, news articles, a map of where PT-109 went down in the South Pacific.
Bush Grants First Presidential Pardons
Viewed as a strict disciplinarian, President Bush recently granted his first seven presidential pardons, after turning down over 2,600 requests since taking office.
White House Web Site
Get the latest news direct from the White House.
Greeting Cards from the White House
The White House will send greeting cards signed by President Bush to commemorate special events, accomplishments or milestones free of charge to U.S. citizens. To request a greeting card from President Bush, just follow these guidelines from the White House Greetings Office.
About the Presidential Power to Pardon
In reaction to some pardons granted by his predecessor, President Bush promises to apply the, “highest of high standards,” to future pardons. What are those standards? Learn more about the often controversial power of Presidential Pardons.
Presidential Pardons: Legal Guidelines
The US Pardon Attorney offers recommendations on pardon application to the president based on these legal guidelines from the Code of Federal Regulations.
Pardons: How Hamilton Saw It
Why does the Constitution give the president the sole power to grant pardons, and why is impeachment excluded from pardon eligibility, but not treason? Alexander Hamilton should know. Let's open up the Federalist Papers.
Presidential Libraries
America's Presidential libraries are a treasure of information, much of it available online. From you About.com Guide.
President For a Day
The "12th-and-one-half" President, David Rice Atchison -- he kept every one of his campaign promises during his 24-hour term in office.From your About.com Guide.
Dr. Robert M. Gates: Secretary of Defense
Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates: Official Defense Department Biography
Impeachment Trial in the Senate
The Constitution places Hamilton's "awful discretion" of an impeachment trial in the US Senate. From your About.com Guide.
Inaugurating a President
All the spoken and written words about the 2000 election boil down to “I do,” on Saturday with the pomp of the 54th Inaugural Ceremony. But, even the pomp part requires three acts of Congress. Interesting inaugural info and links.
About the Office of Inspector General
Within the federal agencies are politically independent individuals called Inspectors General who are responsible for ensuring that the agencies operate efficiently, effectively and legally. Learn more about the government's own watchdogs, the Office of Inspector General.
Presidents' Day
Read the Gettysburg Address, The Emancipation Proclamation, or Washington's farewell address to the people. Also pictures and biographies of Lincoln and Washington. From your About.com Guide.
Protecting Presidential Candidates
The President’s Cabinet
Departments and Secretaries of the President’s Cabinet Agencies
Threatening the President
Secret Service Agents are allowed wide latitude when deciding whether or not a given act represents a threat against the President of the United States. Find out why. From your About.com Guide.
Center for the Study of the Presidency
The foremost educational institution in the United States devoted to the study of the Presidency, government and politics. Current and past presidents, issues, documents, Presidential libraries, political parties, election information and more.
Political Graveyard
Want to know where any deceased US President or any of 34,929 other Politicians, Judges, or Diplomats are buried? Political Graveyard can tell you.
Presidents Who Were Not Inaugurated
Due to death or resignation, these men became President without either pomp or circumstance.
Is America Ready for a Non-Christian President?
He swears he is not, but what if President Obama, or any president for that matter, actually was a Muslim? Not that long ago we wondered if America was "ready" for a black president. Apparently, we were. What about a non-Christian president? Will America ever be ready for that?
Electoral College System
It is possible for a presidential candidate to lose the nationwide popular vote, but still be elected. Learn how the Electoral College system works and why the Founding Fathers created it. From your About.com Guide.
Leon E. Panetta
Biography of Leon E. Panetta 23rd U.S. Secretary of Defense