A commander-in-chief (sometimes called a supreme commander or supreme commander-in-chief) is the person who exercises supreme command and control over an armed force or a military branch.

Jan 1, 2010 · Under the Constitution, the President, in addition to being Chief Executive, is Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy. He holds the prime responsibility for the conduct of United States …

Aug 19, 2025 · As Commander in Chief, the President exercises broad authority over the United States military. This includes directing military operations, deploying troops, and making strategic decisions …

Jul 9, 2025 · By making the democratically elected president the commander in chief, they hoped that military power would always remain subordinate to civilian, democratic authority. The founders also …

This essay explores the Commander in Chief Clause, which grants the president control over the U.S. military, analyzing its role in wartime powers and national defense.

The Commander in Chief Clause of Article II, Section 2 provides that “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several …

The President, however, would be the Commander in Chief, giving the nation a single, decisive leader to direct the military once war was authorized or when the nation was under attack.