Presidential Oversight Quotes

I think that presidents deserve to be questioned. Maybe irreverently, most of the time. Bring 'em down a size. You see a president, ask a question. You have one chance in the barrel. Don't blow it.

Obama must scrutinize and disassemble the post-Sept. 11 imperial presidency, even if he reduces his own power in the process.

In a way I never did with George W. Bush or Barack Obama or Bill Clinton, I will write about the actions of the Trump presidency with the working assumption that our nation must be protected both by and from the president.

Sometimes, when you look at an adviser's failings or perceived failings, I think the tough question you have to ask as a journalist is, 'What does this say about the president?'

Control is not a luxury that most Presidents are allowed.

The idea that the president doesn't interfere in law-enforcement investigative matters is one of our deep normative expectations of the modern presidency. But it is not a matter of law. Legally, if the president of the United States wants to direct the specific conduct of investigations, that is his constitutional prerogative.

Anytime this President [George W. Bush] says he didn’t know something, I believe him. He’s got the benefit of the doubt on that.

One of the worries about a presidency is that everybody tells you yes. Nobody helps you figure out where your blind spots are.

You know, everybody makes mistakes when they are president.

We need a return to transparency and a system of checks and balances, to a president who respects Congress' role of oversight and accountability.

I see the first lady as another means to keep a president from becoming isolated.

The executive branch of this government never has, nor will suffer, while I preside, any improper conduct of its officers to escape with impunity.

You could arm-chair quarterback what the president did or didn't do, or was asked to do or asked not to do. I guess I'm more focused on what's going forward.

There are many instances in which those at the uppermost levels of the White House were feeling the President [Barack Obama] was not fully informed of the flow of events and, in some cases, where policies were going in the White House.

The Founding Fathers wisely concluded that it was not enough for the President to swear to obey the law. He had to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed," which means by his appointees and subordinates.

That is the way it is in America and it is what makes us a great nation. True leaders must handle difficult situations or have competent people who handle those situations. Sources did give information of a general nature to the Administration and it is obvious that an attack still occurred. This is a more 'impeachable' offense than what was brought before the Congress. Fortunately, George W. Bush will in just a few days become our President. I can assure you that such situations will not be mishandled by his Administration. However general the information might be, the President-elect will act with authority to prevent such tragedies

You know who has done a lot of questioning of generals? President Trump.

The key question is who determines if a President is unable to perform his duties?