The phrase "we serve at the pleasure of the president" means that an individual in a presidential appointee position can be removed from their office at any time by the president without needing to provide a reason or get Senate approval. This applies to many high-level positions, such as Cabinet members and ambassadors, and allows the president to dismiss or replace them at will to align with their administration's priorities.
• Meaning of "at the pleasure": An appointee holds their position only as long as the president wants them to. The president has the authority to remove them at any time, a concept that originates from English common law.
• Examples of positions: This applies to Cabinet members, who are the heads of executive departments, and to U.S. ambassadors.
• Removal process: Unlike some other roles, there is no need for a formal process or a "for cause" reason for dismissal. The president can simply decide to remove the appointee.
• Implication for appointees: It ensures that the president can have loyal and supportive individuals in key positions, but it also means that appointees have no guarantee of tenure and can be dismissed even if they have been confirmed by the Senate.