Quotes about the presidency
66 quotes from 43 people
The Executive, except for recommendation and veto, has no legislative power.
Robert H. Jackson1892–1954Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, 343 U.S. 579 (1952) (concurring), at 654-655.As President, I have no eyes but constitutional eyes; I cannot see you.
Abraham Lincoln1809–1865To the South Carolina Commissioners.
James Madison1751–1836Letter to Thomas Jefferson (2 April 1798); published in The Writings of James Madison (1906) edited by Gaillard Hunt, Vol. 6, pp. 312-14In my country we go to prison first and then become President.
Nelson Mandela1918–2013Long Walk to Freedom (1995)No prior president has ever abased himself more abjectly before a tyrant.
John McCain1936–2018Official statement: “SASC Chairman John Mccain on Trump-Putin Meeting” (16 July 2018)- John McCain1936–2018Remarks following the South Carolina Primary (19 February 2000).
When the president does it that means that it is not illegal.
Richard Nixon1913–1994Interview with David Frost (May 19, 1977); printed in The New York Times (May 20, 1977), p. A16
Jesse Owens1913–1980About Franklin D. Roosevelt, as quoted in Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler’s Olympics (2007), by Jeremy Schaap, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, p. 211We have to do more than just elect a new President if we truly want to change this country.
