What does the US Attorney General do for the president?

Asked by: Mr. Francis Wiza  |  Last update: August 21, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (53 votes)

The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. In matters of exceptional gravity or importance the Attorney General appears in person before the Supreme Court.

Does the US Attorney General work for the president?

The Attorney General is the head of the DOJ and chief law enforcement officer of the federal government. The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters, advises the President and the heads of the executive departments of the government, and occasionally appears in person before the Supreme Court.

How can the Attorney General influence the president?

If the attorney general disagrees with policy decisions made by a president, particularly of a different political party, they may use state resources to block or reverse them. Attorneys general in larger states will often lead these types of lawsuits, with smaller states signing on and dedicating additional resources.

Is the US Attorney General appointed by the president and confirmed by Congress?

The top law enforcement officer of the nation is an individual who serves as the U.S. government's top legal adviser and the head of the Department of Justice. He or she is called the United States Attorney General and must be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

What department is the US Attorney General the head of?

The Department of Justice – or “DOJ” – is the agency responsible for enforcing the federal law of the United States. The Attorney General of the United States – appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate – heads the DOJ with its more than 100,000 attorneys, special agents, and other staff.

The Attorney General

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Who protects the Attorney General?

FBI and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS):

The FBI operates the protective detail for the attorney general of the United States and also others as requested by DOJ. The attorney general is the FBI's only permanent personal protective mission.

What branch of government is the US Attorney?

The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) is a subagency of the Department of Justice charged with representing the federal government in court.

Can the president fire the Attorney General?

Appointment of U.S. Attorneys and the 2005 Patriot Act reauthorization. The President of the United States has the authority to appoint U.S. Attorneys, with the consent of the United States Senate, and the President may remove U.S. Attorneys from office.

Who is the Attorney General under Trump?

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to former U.S. Attorney General William Barr for his insight into the investigations into former President Donald Trump, who appointed Barr to the top Justice Department job.

Who is the Attorney General of Trump?

Barr is sworn in as Attorney General by Chief Justice John Roberts in 2019. On December 7, 2018, President Donald Trump announced Barr's nomination to succeed Jeff Sessions.

Is the Attorney General higher than the president?

The United States attorney general (AG) is the head of the United States Department of Justice, and is the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government of the United States. The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all legal matters.

How much power does the US Attorney General have?

The Attorney General represents the United States in legal matters generally and gives advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested.

Who can impeach the US Attorney General?

If a federal official commits a crime or otherwise acts improperly, the House of Representatives may impeach—formally charge—that official. If the official subsequently is convicted in a Senate impeachment trial, he is removed from office.

What were the two primary responsibilities of the Attorney General?

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to: Represent the United States in legal matters. Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.

What are the 7 powers of the president?

A PRESIDENT CAN . . .
  • make treaties with the approval of the Senate.
  • veto bills and sign bills.
  • represent our nation in talks with foreign countries.
  • enforce the laws that Congress passes.
  • act as Commander-in-Chief during a war.
  • call out troops to protect our nation against an attack.

Who is over the US Attorney General?

The current attorney general is Merrick Garland. President Joe Biden (D) announced he would nominate Garland to the office on January 7, 2021, and the Senate confirmed him on March 10, 2021.

How many lawsuits does President Trump have against him?

4,095 lawsuits. An exclusive and ongoing USA TODAY analysis of legal filings across the United States finds that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and his businesses have been involved in thousands of legal actions in federal and state courts over the past three decades.

What president appointed the current Attorney General?

President Joe Biden nominated Garland as U.S. attorney general in January 2021. He was confirmed by the Senate, and took office in March of that same year.

How can the Attorney General be removed?

The Constitution provides that the House of Representatives “shall have the sole Power of Impeachment” and that the Attorney General, as a civil officer of the United States, “shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors”.

Who can the president fire?

Presidents enjoy broad discretion to fire cabinet secretaries and political appointees within the executive office. The president's freedom to dismiss directors of administrative agencies, however, is usually subject to terms set by Congress.

Can a president be removed for incompetence?

The only tools for removing a president in the middle of a term are impeachment and the 25th Amendment, neither of which remotely touches the questions of incompetence or policy failures.

How powerful is a US attorney?

As chief federal law enforcement officers, U.S. attorneys have authority over all federal law enforcement personnel within their districts and may direct them to engage, cease or assist in investigations.

Is the Attorney General part of the 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 runs the Department of Justice?

As the nation's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Garland leads the Justice Department's 115,000 employees, who work across the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide.