United States Attorney General facts for kids

Quick facts for kids United States Attorney General
Flag of the attorney general
Seal of the Department of Justice
Incumbent Todd Blanche since April 2, 2026
United States Department of Justice
Style	Mister Attorney General (informal) The Honorable (formal)
Member of	Cabinet National Security Council Homeland Security Council
Reports to	President of the United States
Seat	Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building Washington, D.C.
Appointer	The president with Senate advice and consent
Term length	No fixed term
Constituting instrument	28 U.S.C. § 503
Formation	September 26, 1789
First holder	Edmund Randolph
Succession	Seventh
Deputy	Deputy Attorney General
Salary	Executive Schedule, Level I

The United States Attorney General (often called the AG) is a very important person in the U.S. government. They lead the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Think of them as the country's top lawyer and chief law enforcement officer. The Attorney General gives legal advice to the president of the United States. They are also part of the President's Cabinet and the United States National Security Council. If something were to happen to the President and other leaders, the Attorney General is seventh in line to become President. This person is unique because they are a Cabinet head but are not called a "Secretary."

The President chooses who will be the Attorney General. This choice must be approved by the United States Senate. First, the person has a hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee. Then, if most of the Senate agrees, they can start the job. The Attorney General has a team of helpers, including other lawyers called deputy attorneys general.

This is a high-level job in the government. The Attorney General earns a salary of $250,600 per year.

What's in a Name?

The title "Attorney General" might sound a bit unusual. The word "General" here describes the type of lawyer they are. It doesn't mean they are a military general. So, it's like saying "Attorney-at-Large" or "Chief Attorney." Sometimes, people might incorrectly call them "General [Last Name]." But the proper way to refer to more than one Attorney General is "attorneys general."

A Look Back in Time

The job of Attorney General started a long time ago, in 1789. This was when the U.S. Congress created the position with a law called the Judiciary Act of 1789. At first, the Attorney General's main jobs were to represent the U.S. government in the Supreme Court. They also gave legal advice to the President and other government leaders. Over time, some of these tasks were given to other legal experts, like the Solicitor General and the White House Counsel.

Later, in 1870, the Department of Justice was created. This department helps the Attorney General do their important work. It's like a big team that supports the country's top lawyer.

The Attorney General is one of the four most important members of the President's Cabinet. The others are the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Defense. These roles are very important because their departments handle huge responsibilities for the country.

What Does the Attorney General Do?

The Attorney General has many big jobs. They are the top law enforcement officer for the U.S. government. This means they:

• Lead the entire United States Department of Justice.
• Make sure federal laws are followed across the country.
• Give legal advice to the President and other government leaders.
• Represent the U.S. government in legal matters.

The Department of Justice is a huge organization. It includes important agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which investigates crimes. It also includes the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which fights illegal drugs. Other parts are the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Marshals Service. The Attorney General oversees all these groups.

The Attorney General also helps the President choose judges for federal courts. They help pick other important legal officials, like U.S. Attorneys and United States Marshals. While the Attorney General can argue cases in the Supreme Court, this job is usually done by the Solicitor General. They also handle other tasks that laws or presidential orders require.

Changing of the Guard

When a new President takes office, the current Attorney General usually offers to resign. This happens on Inauguration Day, January 20. Other top government officials do this too. Often, the Deputy Attorney General is asked to stay on. They act as the Attorney General until the Senate approves the new person chosen by the President.

For example, when President Donald Trump started his first term in 2017, Attorney General Loretta Lynch left her job. The Deputy Attorney General, Sally Yates, then became the acting Attorney General. She served until the Senate approved Jeff Sessions as the new Attorney General.

Who Takes Over?

If the Attorney General cannot do their job, there is a clear plan for who takes over. This is called the line of succession. It ensures that the Department of Justice always has a leader. The law states that the first two people in line are:

• The Deputy Attorney General
• The Associate Attorney General

Other high-ranking officials in the Department of Justice can also be named to the line of succession. This ensures that the department can continue its important work without interruption.

Trailblazing Attorneys General

Many important people have served as Attorney General. Some have made history:

• Charles Joseph Bonaparte was the first Italian American man to hold the position in 1906.
• Edward H. Levi was the first Jewish American man in 1975.
• Janet Reno became the first woman Attorney General in 1993.
• Alberto Gonzales was the first Hispanic American man in 2005.
• Eric Holder was the first African American man in 2009.
• Loretta Lynch was the first African American woman in 2015.

See also

In Spanish: Fiscal general de los Estados Unidos para niños