Yes, there are 12 strict rules US presidents must follow while in office

Being president isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and here are twelve rules U.S. presidents must obey while in office.

Behind the wheel

American presidents can’t grab the keys and go for a drive. JFK’s 1963 assassination made sure of that. Today, American presidents aren’t allowed to drive on public roads.

They’re only allowed to drive themselves on private property, like a closed estate. Any other roads are off-limits. The rule is there to protect them, so they’re probably not too mad about that.

A small thing that isn’t small

You’d think the president of the United States could do something as simple as opening a window. But no. Many windows inside the White House are reinforced or sealed.

In fact, Michelle Obama once said she couldn’t open a window when she lived there. The rule applies to the president, too. But why? It’s because the White House is treated like a secure facility. We think of it as a normal home, but even the fresh air is controlled.

The device problem

Say goodbye to your personal phone when you’re president. They’re a security risk. It makes sense, since other parties can hack or track them. The Federal cybersecurity guidance has repeatedly warned officials about the dangers.

Of course, U.S. presidents are allowed to use phones. But only approved, secured systems. There’s no way they’d be able to casually use a phone like us regular people. American presidents know nothing about late-night social media scrolling.

The card that follows

The rules say that the president can’t leave behind one thing specifically, not ever. It’s not what you might expect. American presidents must carry the ‘biscuit,’ AKA the nuclear authentication card, wherever they go. They use it to confirm their identity if there’s a nuclear order.

But there’s even more. They also have to have a military aide, called a ‘football,’ with them. What do they have? Just the nuclear response options, no big deal. It’s part of a president’s job every single day. It doesn’t matter whether they’re in Washington or Wuhan.

The medical backup

Here’s another traveling issue. The president has to travel with backups wherever they go. That includes blood. Yes, the presidential limousine drives around with medical supplies for the Commander-in-Chief.

It’s there for emergencies. It’s also standard procedure for medical staff to go with the president. The idea is simple. No matter where the president is, they need access to immediate treatment. Who knows what could happen?

Presents with paperwork attached

Getting a gift is also more complicated for a president. There are federal ethics rules limiting what you’re allowed to accept, for starters. These mostly apply to gifts from anyone connected to government business. But there are also rules for foreign gifts.

Gifts over a certain amount don’t belong to the president. No, those kinds of presents become property of the United States. Who would’ve thought a gift could be so controversial?

Watched by design

There’s no such thing as privacy for American presidents. They have to accept being monitored 24/7, and we mean 24/7. There are security teams and surveillance systems watching their every move.

Yes, the Secret Service manages everything surrounding the U.S. president. It’s something they’ve got to deal with. It’s not always obvious, but the president’s always inside a system that’s watching them. 

Time outside comes with limits

Every outdoor presidential activity is limited. Walking and even golfing are tightly controlled. Every route they take is planned. Every area gets checked, then double-checked. A simple jog? That comes with agents standing nearby the entire time.

Some presidents have tried to create more distance from their security. But it became a concern. However, they’re not Rapunzel. They can go outside. It just comes with a setup that has been cleared in advance.

Even short silence isn’t allowed

It’s nice to go off-grid sometimes. American presidents don’t get that luxury. They’re not allowed to lose contact whatsoever, and they have a dedicated communications system following them everywhere. 

The line has to be available all the time. The story’s the same whether they’re on the ground or in the air. The idea of going offline isn’t an option for the Head of State.

The mailbox is limited

You won’t find mail going to the president in a normal way. It’s all because of security concerns in the early 2000s. Now, each piece of mail gets remotely screened and tested. That’s before it even gets to the White House.

They don’t exactly read each letter. But any letters that get close to the president need to be strictly inspected first. Privacy practically goes out the window. 

Every bite is controlled

The days are gone when leaders had food tasters. Instead, they have a controlled system that checks each bite they eat. It’s true. Any staff working with presidential food has to get specific clearance. Any ingredients they use must be monitored before getting to the kitchen.

What does that mean for the president? Essentially, they’re not allowed to order or cook freely like most Americans. They’ve got to allow their whole food chain to be supervised. Yes, that means there’s no Uber Eats.

The job never really clocks out

Most people clock out at some point in the day. The U.S. president doesn’t get to do that. They have to stay active all the time. This includes being ready to receive intelligence updates and having secure communications.

Daily briefings? They don’t stop because it’s late. Urgent decisions can come at any time. You have to be available around the clock as president, so weekends and evenings don’t really exist anymore.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.