The President and Crisis Management
Today is your presidential Inauguration Day. You were elected as president last November by a slim margin in both the popular vote and the electoral vote. You attended a worship service this morning with your family and about a dozen high-ranking members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. Then, you and the current president took a ride in a convertible car to the U.S. Capitol, where you were sworn in as the new president of the United States. It is now official; you are the president!
As you and your family are enjoying the parade, your new chief of staff and one of the key military advisors who is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff whispers to you that there has been a major cyberattack on key federal financial institutions across the United States that compromised the personal financial data and passwords of hundreds of thousands of citizens.
Even though you have held office for just a few hours, you know it is critical to act swiftly and decisively so that the perpetrators of the crime, the American citizens, and political leaders (those who support you and those who do not) see you as a competent and strong leader.
What are your first three actions?
In your paper, you will describe these three actions in detail. Organization is important in this paper. Make certain to include the following information in your paper, and organize major sections using headings.
Briefly describe the cyberattack and its implications for the nation.
o This section should be located early in the paper (i.e., in the first or second paragraph).
o Do you know who the perpetrators are?
o What was the goal of the crime?
o How much damage was caused?
What is your first action?
o Why is this action your first? Why is it so important?
o What is the goal of the action? What purpose does it serve?
o What individuals, groups, or organizations does it involve?
What is your second action?
o Why is this action your second? Why is it so important?
o What is the goal of the action? What purpose does it serve?
o What individuals, groups, or organizations does it involve?
What is your third action?
o Why is this action your third? Why is it so important?
o What is the goal of the action? What purpose does it serve?
o What individuals, groups, or organizations does it involve?
Provide a conclusion.
o What are your next steps?
o Briefly describe how your actions were limited by the U.S. Constitution. For example, you may feel constrained by the other two branches—powers denied to you by the U.S. Constitution or law (e.g., declaring war or appointing to key positions in your administration loyal and trusted friends without going through the formal appointment process or the civil services system)