Just a few hours after the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the first committee to design the Great Seal of the United States was appointed. The seal was intended to represent the values and ideals of the new nation and its leader, the President of the United States.
In honor of President's Day and to learn more about how the role of the U.S. president has evolved, we turned to USF St. Petersburg campus for insights into the symbolism and significance of the presidential seal. The seal is a powerful emblem that represents the authority and dignity of the President of the United States.
The presidential seal features the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, clutching arrows and an olive branch in its talons. These symbols represent the nation's military strength and desire for peace. Above the eagle's head is a shield with 13 stripes, representing the original 13 colonies, and a field of blue with 13 stars, symbolizing the unity of the states.
Only five days after Donald J. Trump left office, one of his aides emailed a lawyer to request approval of a formal-looking seal for use on his personal stationery. The use of the presidential seal is highly regulated and can only be used by the current president or for official government purposes. Unauthorized use of the seal can result in legal consequences.
Former President Donald Trump is in Washington, DC, for a US Circuit Court of Appeals hearing after a lower-court ruling rejected his claims of immunity from criminal prosecution. Trump's legal team argued that all presidents, including himself, are immune from prosecution unless the Senate first convicts them.
Appeal court judges have sharply questioned Donald Trump's argument that former presidents should be entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the legal accountability of former presidents.
Democratic Senator Brian Schatz has claimed 'American democracy is at stake' in the upcoming presidential election after Donald Trump's legal battles over immunity from prosecution. The presidential seal represents the authority and accountability of the president to the American people.
Former President Trump's legal team suggested that even a president directing SEAL Team Six to kill a political opponent would be immune from prosecution. The use of the presidential seal in this context highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law and the principles of democracy.
Murder, peddling pardons, selling secrets: Trump's lawyer said all presidents are immune from prosecution unless the Senate first convicts them. The presidential seal is a symbol of the president's authority and responsibility to uphold the laws of the United States.
