The president’s chief duty is to protect the U.S. Constitution and enforce the laws made by the Congress. However, he also has a host of other responsibilities tied to his job as the nation’s leader. These include: recommending legislation to Congress, calling special sessions of Congress, delivering messages to Congress, signing or vetoing legislation, appointing federal judges, appointing heads of federal departments and agencies and other principal federal officials, appointing representatives to foreign countries, carrying on official business with foreign nations, acting as commander in chief of the armed forces, and granting pardons for offenses against the United States.