





























© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Drive a car on a public road
- Lyndon B. Johnson was likely the last president to ever drive on a taxpayer-funded highway. However, they're allowed to drive on private property.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Use personal technology unmonitored
- As technology advances, so do new security threats of which the Secret Service has to be aware. Presidents are now advised to restrict the use of personal technology, such as iPhones.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Accept expensive gifts
- Rules are strict when it comes to presidents accepting expensive gifts from world leaders and other dignitaries. Gifts over US$390 have to be given to the National Archives. Anything less is considered as a souvenir or mark of courtesy.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Interpret the constitution and laws
- Even if the president of the United States is considered to be one of the most powerful leaders in the world, they still have no say when it comes to the constitution and laws. The United States Supreme Court has the final word on that.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
Use commercial airlines
- Secret Service prohibits the president to use commercial airlines. But it's a slim chance they would even choose that since they have the Air Force 1.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Go to the movies
- Going to the movies isn't an option. For presidents and their families, the film needs to be brought to the White House, where there is actually a small theater. Forget huge screens and big buckets of classic buttery theater popcorn.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Eat outside the White House without a "taster"
- When the president eats outside the White House, the Secret Service tastes the president's food, but only when absolutely necessary. This is to avoid risk of any poisoning.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Clean their office
- The president is discouraged from cleaning their office or throwing away mail. Everything must be meticulously sorted and cleaned by other White House staffers before it's tossed out.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Copyright published works while in office
- Even if a sitting US president would find the time to write and publish a book, they wouldn't have the copyright as a federal employee. US copyright law states any work created by a federal government employee is in the public domain.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
They can't go anywhere without the "football"
- The "football" is the nickname given to the briefcase the Secret Service carries when they travel with the president. The exact contents are unknown, but it does provide a way for the president to confirm his identity and contact the National Military Command Center in case of an emergency.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Open the windows in the White House
- Secret Service requires that all the windows stay closed for security reasons. This also applies to windows in all official transportation.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
Attend their children’s performances or sporting events
- A negative side of being the president is the impact it has on their immediate families. Due to security reasons and lack of time, they often can't attend their children’s performances or sporting events.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Earn outside income in addition to government salary
- According to the law, the president must place all investments into a blind trust until they leave office. This was an issue during president Trump's presidency, as he refused to place anything into a blind trust.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Halt deportations
- The US president doesn't have the power to halt deportations of illegal immigrants, or grant amnesty. The Supreme Court gets the final word on that.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Do whatever they want with an Executive Order
- Even if president Trump tried to push whatever he wanted via Executive Orders, the truth is, it's not that simple. The Congress, the Supreme Court, and even the people have the right to petition against the president.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
Make laws
- The president can't make any new laws at all, only pass a bill, or veto it. The power to create new laws fall on the Congress.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Change the constitution
- Changing the constitution is a multistep process that the president can't amend as they want. In order for the constitution to be officially changed, a Constitutional Amendment must be drafted by a state or by Congress. Then it must be voted on both in Congress and by the states.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Choose cabinet members or Supreme Court justices without senate approval
- Even though presidents can choose who they prefer to be a justice, in the end it's Congress who has to approve the decision. The same goes with cabinet members.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Go out for dinner
- Presidents can go out to dinner, but the Secret Service will need sufficient notice so that they will be able to secure the restaurant. Plus, the food taster needs to be present.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Have a normal phone call
- Secret Service is on top of everything, even when it comes to phone calls and video chatting. These can only be done on a secured line.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Ride in a convertible
- The assassination of John F. Kennedy was a turning point when it came to presidential security. Riding from an open-topped convertible is no longer permitted.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Declare war
- The president doesn't have the power to formally declare war. That's only in the hands of Congress. However, the president is only involved with signing the Declaration of War.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Decide how federal money will be spent
- Decisions regarding how to use federal money is a collaboration between the president and the Congress. The president drafts a budget and Congress approves it.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Interpret laws
- A president can have strong opinions just like any other citizen, but they can't enforce an interpretation of a law. That's the job of the Supreme Court.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Be alone out in public
- Secret Service needs a four-hour notice if the president wants to head out from the White House. They're simply not allowed to be alone.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
Open the borders
- Current laws prevent the president from opening borders. This goes back to laws from 1921 that limit the number of immigrants that can enter the country legally per year.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Provide additional funding for NASA
- The president can't authorize additional funding. It all lies with Congress, especially if it's about a budget issue.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Shut down the government
- The president is unable to do anything when it comes to government shutdowns. When it happens, it falls directly on the House of Representatives and the Senate.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Break the law
- All laws apply to the president, and if they're broken Congress can choose to vote for impeachment. If impeached, the Senate will act as a court to place the president on trial. Sources: (Insider) (Grunge) (Ranker) See also: The most outrageous scandals of Donald Trump's political career
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Drive a car on a public road
- Lyndon B. Johnson was likely the last president to ever drive on a taxpayer-funded highway. However, they're allowed to drive on private property.
© Getty Images
1 / 30 Fotos
Use personal technology unmonitored
- As technology advances, so do new security threats of which the Secret Service has to be aware. Presidents are now advised to restrict the use of personal technology, such as iPhones.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Accept expensive gifts
- Rules are strict when it comes to presidents accepting expensive gifts from world leaders and other dignitaries. Gifts over US$390 have to be given to the National Archives. Anything less is considered as a souvenir or mark of courtesy.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Interpret the constitution and laws
- Even if the president of the United States is considered to be one of the most powerful leaders in the world, they still have no say when it comes to the constitution and laws. The United States Supreme Court has the final word on that.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
Use commercial airlines
- Secret Service prohibits the president to use commercial airlines. But it's a slim chance they would even choose that since they have the Air Force 1.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Go to the movies
- Going to the movies isn't an option. For presidents and their families, the film needs to be brought to the White House, where there is actually a small theater. Forget huge screens and big buckets of classic buttery theater popcorn.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Eat outside the White House without a "taster"
- When the president eats outside the White House, the Secret Service tastes the president's food, but only when absolutely necessary. This is to avoid risk of any poisoning.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Clean their office
- The president is discouraged from cleaning their office or throwing away mail. Everything must be meticulously sorted and cleaned by other White House staffers before it's tossed out.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Copyright published works while in office
- Even if a sitting US president would find the time to write and publish a book, they wouldn't have the copyright as a federal employee. US copyright law states any work created by a federal government employee is in the public domain.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
They can't go anywhere without the "football"
- The "football" is the nickname given to the briefcase the Secret Service carries when they travel with the president. The exact contents are unknown, but it does provide a way for the president to confirm his identity and contact the National Military Command Center in case of an emergency.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Open the windows in the White House
- Secret Service requires that all the windows stay closed for security reasons. This also applies to windows in all official transportation.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
Attend their children’s performances or sporting events
- A negative side of being the president is the impact it has on their immediate families. Due to security reasons and lack of time, they often can't attend their children’s performances or sporting events.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Earn outside income in addition to government salary
- According to the law, the president must place all investments into a blind trust until they leave office. This was an issue during president Trump's presidency, as he refused to place anything into a blind trust.
© Getty Images
13 / 30 Fotos
Halt deportations
- The US president doesn't have the power to halt deportations of illegal immigrants, or grant amnesty. The Supreme Court gets the final word on that.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Do whatever they want with an Executive Order
- Even if president Trump tried to push whatever he wanted via Executive Orders, the truth is, it's not that simple. The Congress, the Supreme Court, and even the people have the right to petition against the president.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
Make laws
- The president can't make any new laws at all, only pass a bill, or veto it. The power to create new laws fall on the Congress.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Change the constitution
- Changing the constitution is a multistep process that the president can't amend as they want. In order for the constitution to be officially changed, a Constitutional Amendment must be drafted by a state or by Congress. Then it must be voted on both in Congress and by the states.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Choose cabinet members or Supreme Court justices without senate approval
- Even though presidents can choose who they prefer to be a justice, in the end it's Congress who has to approve the decision. The same goes with cabinet members.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Go out for dinner
- Presidents can go out to dinner, but the Secret Service will need sufficient notice so that they will be able to secure the restaurant. Plus, the food taster needs to be present.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Have a normal phone call
- Secret Service is on top of everything, even when it comes to phone calls and video chatting. These can only be done on a secured line.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Ride in a convertible
- The assassination of John F. Kennedy was a turning point when it came to presidential security. Riding from an open-topped convertible is no longer permitted.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Declare war
- The president doesn't have the power to formally declare war. That's only in the hands of Congress. However, the president is only involved with signing the Declaration of War.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Decide how federal money will be spent
- Decisions regarding how to use federal money is a collaboration between the president and the Congress. The president drafts a budget and Congress approves it.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Interpret laws
- A president can have strong opinions just like any other citizen, but they can't enforce an interpretation of a law. That's the job of the Supreme Court.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Be alone out in public
- Secret Service needs a four-hour notice if the president wants to head out from the White House. They're simply not allowed to be alone.
© Getty Images
25 / 30 Fotos
Open the borders
- Current laws prevent the president from opening borders. This goes back to laws from 1921 that limit the number of immigrants that can enter the country legally per year.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Provide additional funding for NASA
- The president can't authorize additional funding. It all lies with Congress, especially if it's about a budget issue.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Shut down the government
- The president is unable to do anything when it comes to government shutdowns. When it happens, it falls directly on the House of Representatives and the Senate.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Break the law
- All laws apply to the president, and if they're broken Congress can choose to vote for impeachment. If impeached, the Senate will act as a court to place the president on trial. Sources: (Insider) (Grunge) (Ranker) See also: The most outrageous scandals of Donald Trump's political career
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
Things Trump cannot do in office
From driving in public to changing the constitution, some of these will surprise you
© Getty Images
Being the president of the United States comes with a lot of power and privileges. But there are also many things the US president isn't allowed to do while in office, largely due to security reasons. The most mundane activities can come as a surprise, especially as they're the kind of freedoms many of us take for granted. Then there are the rules they can't break due to the constitution, for it being a democracy.
Want to discover the things American presidents can't do in office? Then click through the gallery.
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