Duties of the Federation President

[alpha_leonis]

I recently rewatched a few of the classic movies, and one aspect had me second-guessing a couple of things.

Looking at the two Federation Presidents as depicted in TUC, and in DS9's "Homefront", they seem to be in-line with what we would call "Presidential duties" by today's definition. Especially taking American presidents like Barack Obama or George W. Bush into consideration as our relevant examples.

However, the very first time we ever see a Federation President is in TVH, when he's presiding over what essentially amounts to a military tribunal (or the StarFleet equivalent thereof.) My question is, when have we *ever* seen any president exercising any kind of Judicial authority whatsoever -- outside of simply appointing the justices who *would* exercise that authority? Would that be a violation of "Separation of Powers"?

In the US government (the one I know best since I'm American), the closest equivalent I can think of would be the Vice-President, in his role as President of the Senate, who has the authority to preside over political impeachments (unless his boss the President is impeached, in which case the Chief Justice steps in.)

Kirk and company's crimes were not necessarily political in nature, the Klingon Ambassador's opinions notwithstanding; why did they need the President to act as their judge when they were on trial for the prior movie's events?

 

[T'Girl]

He at the ribbon cutting celebration for every new Walmart.

I've point out before that while one of the Federation Presidents self proclaims to be the commander in chief (of Starfleet). It's fairly obvious that the powers of commander in chief rest with the Federation Council. The Council are the ones (and not the President) that send instructions to Starfleet.

How many time have we heard a ship's captan say "the President want us to do this," verse "the council want us to do this?" When Picard wanted to stop the evauation of the Baku, he sent Riker to communicate with ... the Council.

It's very possible that during the TOS era, the Federation had no President.

 

[alpha_leonis]

He at the ribbon cutting celebration for every new Walmart.

By Grapthar's Hammer. What a savings.

 

[tharpdevenport]

His/Her/It's Pat's job is to stand there and look helpless as a probe destroys the planet and also not get involved with anything important even when the peril of the entire quadrant is at stake.

 

[MacLeod]

I recently rewatched a few of the classic movies, and one aspect had me second-guessing a couple of things.

Looking at the two Federation Presidents as depicted in TUC, and in DS9's "Homefront", they seem to be in-line with what we would call "Presidential duties" by today's definition. Especially taking American presidents like Barack Obama or George W. Bush into consideration as our relevant examples.

However, the very first time we ever see a Federation President is in TVH, when he's presiding over what essentially amounts to a military tribunal (or the StarFleet equivalent thereof.) My question is, when have we *ever* seen any president exercising any kind of Judicial authority whatsoever -- outside of simply appointing the justices who *would* exercise that authority? Would that be a violation of "Separation of Powers"?

In the US government (the one I know best since I'm American), the closest equivalent I can think of would be the Vice-President, in his role as President of the Senate, who has the authority to preside over political impeachments (unless his boss the President is impeached, in which case the Chief Justice steps in.)

Kirk and company's crimes were not necessarily political in nature, the Klingon Ambassador's opinions notwithstanding; why did they need the President to act as their judge when they were on trial for the prior movie's events?

It isn't always wise to apply real-world situations to fictional ones. To add just because something happens today doesn't mean the same will hold true in the future. Laws can change. And seperation of powers around the world how they work and/or implimented.

We have little idea of how the Federation is run, we not entirely sure how the United Earth Government works except what little information we have leads to the likelyhood of a Parlimentary style Government.

As for Kirk's and Co. trial, the council might have decided to take it out of the usual channels due to the highly political nature of Genesis. And had it not been for the Probe incident Kirk and Co might have gotten a harsher penalty.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The President can probably preside over any official function as desired/needed. In ST4, the Federation Judiciary Council (which handed down sentence on Kirk and demoted him to Captain) would qualify for this. Not every session of that Council would need to be chaired by the President, but something as sensitive as this would.

In ST4, President Roth isn't personally exercising authority to sentence Kirk, he is just presiding over the Council which fulfills that function. Remember, he said "It is the judgment of this council..." while handing down the sentence.

 

[f14peter]

Duties of the Federation President?


Why, to simply rock the coolest shades in the quadrant ...

and if you don't like it, you must be on dope you dumbass!

 

[T'Girl]

^ Just what the Federation needs, a clothes horse.

In ST4, President Roth isn't personally exercising authority to sentence Kirk, he is just presiding over the Council which fulfills that function.

If the President's job was as the Federation Council's presiding officer, this would make sense. Not the head of a executive branch, but the head of the Council.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ There is some debate over whether that council was in fact the full Federation Council (in which case the President would certainly preside over it at all times, I'd think) or the Judiciary Council. I tend to lean towards the latter.

And the President doesn't *just* preside over Federation Council sessions, of course. That office has many other duties as well.

 

[kirkfan]

Duties of the Federation President?


Why, to simply rock the coolest shades in the quadrant ...

and if you don't like it, you must be on dope you dumbass!

I like this actor, did you know he's the one who plays anorax in Voyager's Year Of Hell?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Oh yes, Kurtwood Smith has a proven Trek record. Annorax, President Ra-ghoratreii (side note: People keep telling me that Ra-ghoratreii is supposed to be blind but I don't see where that was suggested), Thrax (DS9)... he's great.

"Give my regards to Captain Dumbass!" - Annorax, as told by Red Forman

 

[kirkfan]

^ Oh yes, Kurtwood Smith has a proven Trek record. Annorax, President Ra-ghoratreii (side note: People keep telling me that Ra-ghoratreii is supposed to be blind but I don't see where that was suggested), Thrax (DS9)... he's great.

"Give my regards to Captain Dumbass!" - Annorax, as told by Red Forman

Oh Yeah, I forgot about thrax. Btw, that two names that ends with "rax". I wonder if there is a reason or if its pure coincidence.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ It's got to be a coincidence. The DS9 and VOY eps were even written by different people. No way the names are related.

 

[kirkfan]

^ It's got to be a coincidence. The DS9 and VOY eps were even written by different people. No way the names are related.

It's still a funny coincidence.

 

[T'Girl]

There is some debate over whether that council was in fact the full Federation Council [snip] or the Judiciary Council.

This is the first and only time I've heard the suggestion that it was something called a "judiciary council." Whatever that is.

And the President doesn't *just* preside over Federation Council sessions, of course. That office has many other duties as well.

If he (she) were the council representative who was elected (by the council) to presided over council meetings, then that would be their main duty.

 

[fonzob1]

Duties of the Federation President?


Why, to simply rock the coolest shades in the quadrant ...

and if you don't like it, you must be on dope you dumbass!

My question is, when he asked weather or not he should intervene in Kirk's trial (during TUC), why was he seeking the advice of the Klingon and Romulan ambassadors. Doesn't anyone else have a say? There are tons of other Star Trek civilizations that could have had an opinion. That guy was a chode.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

T

And the President doesn't *just* preside over Federation Council sessions, of course. That office has many other duties as well.

If he (she) were the council representative who was elected (by the council) to presided over council meetings, then that would be their main duty.

The president of the Federation is elected by popular vote.

 

[kirkfan]

It seems to me that he has more powers and duties than what is shown on screen.

 

[Push The Button]

I'm now imagining that there is a Presidential transport ship with the callsign "Starfleet One".

 

[kirkfan]

I'm now imagining that there is a Presidential transport ship with the callsign "Starfleet One".

There's also a "red button" and if he presses it, it launches missiles on the most bellicose planets of the quadrant.