Can the president fire a US attorney?

Asked by: Elda Zieme  |  Last update: August 11, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (42 votes)

The President has the discretion to remove a U.S. Attorney when “he regards it for the public good.” See, e.g., Parsons v. United States,167 U.S. 324, 343 (1897). Since a removal for an illegal or improper purpose would be contrary to the “public good,” it would be impermissible.

Is the president the boss of the Attorney General?

The attorney general acts as the principal legal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters. The attorney general is also a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States and a member of the United States National Security Council.

Who is above the US Attorney General?

The department is headed by the U.S. attorney general, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet.

Who is more powerful, US Attorney or Attorney General?

United States Attorneys serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General of the United States of America.

Who oversees the US attorney?

United States Attorneys serve as prosecution in criminal cases and both prosecution and defense for the federal government in civil cases . They serve under the oversight of the U.S. Attorney General and the Executive Office of United States Attorneys (EOUSA) , but they retain a significant level of independence.

Trump Justice Department fires officials who investigated Trump

19 related questions found

Who is the boss of the US attorney?

U.S. attorneys are appointed by the president of the United States for a term of four years, with appointments subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Who can override a power of attorney USA?

Short answer: a principal (aka, the person who granted the power of attorney) can override a power of attorney (POA). However, if the principal is not of sound mind then a loved one or a guardian can take steps to override a POA.

What is the salary of the U.S. Attorney General?

As of Jan 21, 2025, the average annual pay for an Attorney General in the United States is $103,584 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $49.80 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,992/week or $8,632/month.

Are U.S. Attorneys appointed by the President?

(a) The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a United States attorney for each judicial district. (b) Each United States attorney shall be appointed for a term of four years.

Who is the most powerful attorney?

The World's Richest and Most Influential Attorneys
  • Wichai Thongtang — $1.8 Billion. ...
  • Charlie Munger — $1.6 Billion. ...
  • Bill Neukom — $850 Million. ...
  • Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin) — $440 Million. ...
  • Robert Shapiro — $120 Million. ...
  • Willie E. ...
  • John Branca — $100 Million. ...
  • Roy Black — $65 Million.

Can the president remove the Attorney General?

U.S. Attorneys are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Like other presidential appointees, they can be removed by the President for any reason or for no reason, as long as it is not an illegal or improper reason.

Who is higher than FBI?

Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence.

Who controls the doj?

§§ 501 and 503), the Department of Justice (DOJ or the Department) is headed by the Attorney General of the United States. The Department was created to control federal law enforcement, and all criminal prosecutions and civil suits in which the United States has an interest.

Who is the attorney general under Biden?

President-elect Joe Biden selected Garland for the position of United States attorney general, with news of the selection coming on January 6, 2021. He was formally nominated by Biden on January 20, after Biden took office.

Who can the president remove from power?

The holding in Myers boils down to the proposition that the Constitution endows the President with an illimitable power to remove all officers in whose appointment he has participated, with the exception of federal judges.

How much power does the US president have?

The President is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, as well as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of laws created by Congress.

Can a President fire a US attorney?

Because they are Presidential appointees and not covered by standard civil service protections, U.S. Attorneys are subject to removal at the will of the President.

What is a state attorney's salary?

State Attorney. State of California. $113K - $174K. /yr. $140K.

Who supervises the U.S. Attorneys?

In doing so, the attorney general supervises federal prosecutions by the 93 U.S. attorneys who live and work across the United States to enforce federal laws.

Who is the highest paid lawyer in us?

Peter Angelos | $2 Billion

The wealthiest lawyer in North America, Peter Angelos earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore and gained prominence in asbestos litigation, securing over $100 million from a single case.

Who is higher US attorney or Attorney General?

A U.S. Attorney, or United States Attorney, is an official appointed by the Attorney General of the United States, to prosecute the laws on behalf of the United States (that is, “federal law”).

What three decisions cannot be made by a legal power of attorney?

When someone makes you the agent in their power of attorney, you cannot:
  • Write a will for them, nor can you edit their current will.
  • Take money directly from their bank accounts.
  • Make decisions after the person you are representing dies.
  • Give away your role as agent in the power of attorney.

Can a sibling challenge a power of attorney?

If a sibling believes their brother or sister is abusing their power of attorney, they or another interested party can contest the power of attorney by filing a petition with the court that lays out all the reasons why the attorney-in-fact is unfit or inappropriate for the role.

Can a hospital override power of attorney?

Hospitals generally cannot override a power of attorney when making decisions about an incapacitated patient's health care.