Thread: No Constitutional Law forum? My question concerns the powers of senior US officials

Hi there,

I am not American, however, I do have a few questions regarding the US legal system. I would be grateful for any help.

1. Can the US President direct members of his cabinet to do things they do not want to do? For example, order the Attorney General to prosecute/not prosecute someone? Or is such a decision solely for the AG to make?

2. I saw on youtube, A.G. Holder was found in "contempt of congress". What are the implications for him? He was not arrested, didn't lose his job, or placed in jail... so how does the congress "punish" him?

3. Are there any situations where a member of the presidents own cabinet could prevent him from doing something - because something must be a "joint decision", or that he requires their "advice" first?

4. Regarding the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy - or any policy you may be familiar with, could the President, or A.G., have told the military not to enforce the policy?

5. Assuming the President can't force one of his officials to do something, do presidential requests often get refused? Or are they complied with so frequently that for all intents and purposes, the president can "tell" the cabinet members what to do.

Thanks in advance.