Attorney General of the United States
Overview
The Attorney General of the United States is the chief legal officer of the federal government of the United States. The Attorney General serves as the head of the United States Department of Justice, a member of the Cabinet of the United States, and is the principal advisor to the President of the United States on legal matters.
Role and Responsibilities
The Attorney General's primary responsibilities include representing the United States in legal matters, supervising and directing the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department of Justice, and providing advice and opinions, formal and informal, on legal matters to the President and the Cabinet, and to the heads of the executive departments and agencies of the government, as provided by law.
Appointment and Tenure
The Attorney General is nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate. The Attorney General serves at the pleasure of the President and can be removed by the President at any time; the Attorney General is also subject to impeachment by the House of Representatives and trial in the Senate for "treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors."
History
The office of the Attorney General was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789 as a part-time job for one person, but grew with the bureaucracy. At one time, the Attorney General gave legal advice to the U.S. Congress as well as the President, but in 1819 the Attorney General began advising Congress alone to ensure a manageable workload.
Notable Attorneys General
Over the years, several individuals who have held the office of Attorney General have left a significant impact on the legal and political landscape of the United States. These include individuals like Robert F. Kennedy, who served under his brother, President John F. Kennedy, and played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement, and Janet Reno, the first woman to serve as Attorney General.
See Also
United States Deputy Attorney General Solicitor General of the United States United States Associate Attorney General