Armed forces Quote by Andrew McCarthy
““The power to enforce the law, which carries with it the equally salient power not to enforce the law, is a president’s most imposing domestic weapon, rivaled in importance only by the awesome authority inherent in a president’s status as commander in chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Presidential Powers, Andrew McCarthy, 2005
The president can both enforce laws and choose not to, making the decision to enforce a powerful domestic tool, second only to military command authority.
In simple terms: A president’s choice to enforce or not is a strong domestic power, rivaled only by military command.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the strategic impact of enforcement decisions.
Themes
politics
law
executive power
military authority
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- policy making
- legal strategy
- government leadership
- public administration
Key Concepts
constitutional law
executive discretion
civil-military relations
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the threat of non‑enforcement shape legislative behavior?
- What checks exist on a president’s enforcement discretion?
A Different Perspective
Enforcement power can be limited by political constraints and public opinion.
