<P> The difference between an `` Officer of the United States '' and a mere `` Employee of the United States , '' therefore , ultimately rests on whether the office held has been explicitly delegated part of the `` sovereign power of the United States '' . Delegation of `` sovereign power '' means possession of the authority to commit the federal government of the United States to some legal obligation , such as by signing a contract , executing a treaty , interpreting a law , or issuing military orders . A federal judge , for instance , has been delegated part of the `` sovereign power '' of the United States to exercise ; while a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service has not . Some very prominent title - holders , including the White House Chief of Staff , the White House Press Secretary and most other high - profile presidential staff assistants , are only employees of the United States as they have no authority to exercise the sovereign power of the federal government . </P>
<P> The difference between an `` Officer of the United States '' and a mere `` Employee of the United States , '' therefore , ultimately rests on whether the office held has been explicitly delegated part of the `` sovereign power of the United States '' . Delegation of `` sovereign power '' means possession of the authority to commit the federal government of the United States to some legal obligation , such as by signing a contract , executing a treaty , interpreting a law , or issuing military orders . A federal judge , for instance , has been delegated part of the `` sovereign power '' of the United States to exercise ; while a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service has not . Some very prominent title - holders , including the White House Chief of Staff , the White House Press Secretary and most other high - profile presidential staff assistants , are only employees of the United States as they have no authority to exercise the sovereign power of the federal government . </P>
who are considered civil officers of the united states
who are considered civil officers of the united states
office held has been explicitly delegated part of the `` sovereign power of the United States
office held has been explicitly delegated part of the `` sovereign power of the United States