Fast Overview of The US Attorney General

The United States attorney general is the superior of the Department of Justice. Attorney generals are considered to be the chief lawyer and are heavily involved with legal affairs. Attorney generals are the chief law enforcement officers.

As an attorney general, an individual is considered a member of the President’s Cabinet, although they do not receive a title. Attorney generals are appointed by the President and are confirmed by the Senate. The original duties of the attorney general were to conduct and prosecute all Supreme Court cases as well as provide advice and legal opinion to all questions which the President or and governmental agency head asked.

The first attorney general was appointed in 1789, however the Department of Justice was not created until 1870. There is no limit to how long a person can hold office of an attorney general, however if they do not resign on their own, a president does have the power to remove them from office.

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