In the United States, attorneys general are appointed by the President. They must be members of the bar with experience in legal practice. Their support staff assists them throughout their tenure.
The President’s appointment of an official from the Department of Justice as Acting Attorney General for an interim period complies with Supreme Court precedent and three centuries of executive practice.
President of the United States
The president of the United States appoints the attorney general, an office established by Congress through the Judiciary Act of 1789. Our nation’s founders saw this position as an integral member of its executive branch alongside heads of other departments such as Treasury and War.
Attorneys general serve as the nation’s primary law enforcement officials and oversee the Justice Department. Furthermore, they serve as legal advisors and have other responsibilities.
Though attorney generals possess vast powers, their positions remain vulnerable to political pressures. Presidents have the ability to fire them without cause; many critics fear this power being misused politically; such was the case with President Trump when he fired Jeff Sessions due to his refusal to investigate President Trump’s links to Russia – this firing raises serious concerns over independence of their office and ability to uphold rule of law.
Governor of a State
Governors serve as leaders of executive branches for states or territories and have extensive powers of management, such as overseeing government budgets, nominating candidates (such as judges) to positions, and having significant input into legislation. Furthermore, many governors possess full pardon/commutation powers over criminal sentences in most states.
Attorney Generals provide protection to the public by upholding law through litigation and policy advocacy, supporting district attorneys with their cases, and supporting federal and local agencies with forensic science, identification and information services, telecommunication support. The National Association of Attorneys General provides collaboration, insight and expertise that empowers America’s AGs.
Our State Litigation and AG Activity Database gives you access to an array of tools at AGs’ disposal for serving their jurisdictions and protecting those within it. Meanwhile, The Leadership Center for AG Studies conducts original research that it then communicates to key audiences – including the general public – with an aim of raising awareness of the significant contributions AGs make in communities worldwide.
Attorney General of the District of Columbia
Attorney generals serve as the chief legal officers of the District of Columbia. In their roles as prosecuting federal crimes and handling local civil litigation and minor infractions similar to city attorneys, as well as providing advice and consultation services on appointments for federal judicial positions and Department of Justice roles, attorney generals are essential legal advisors for their communities.
The founders did not envisage the attorney general as similar to other executive department heads. Instead, they established it through the Judiciary Act of 1789 which established both federal courts (Supreme Court and lower federal courts). Thus the attorney general is considered a cabinet-level officer who must be nominated and confirmed by Congress.
Letitia James is currently serving as District of Columbia Attorney General after having held office on New York City Council. During her time there, she championed vulnerable populations’ rights while striving to make NYC safer and more equitable for all residents. Through her office she took action against predatory landlords and passed legislation prohibiting salary history inquiries on job applications.
Attorney General of the State of New York
The Attorney General of New York acts as the state government’s primary legal advisor, representing it in legal matters brought and defended on its behalf. Their attorneys conduct investigations and prosecutions of crimes such as gang violence, mortgage fraud, white collar crime, international narcotics trafficking, public corruption wage and hour violations civil rights violations as well as matters that require federal jurisdiction.
Letitia James won reelection as attorney general of New York for a second term, protecting consumers and investors, tenants and patients, charitable donors and the environment from financial misconduct and environmental degradation. Her office also coordinates statewide civil and criminal investigations.
New York’s top career federal prosecutor Danielle Sassoon reportedly resigned following Justice Department instructions to drop corruption charges against Mayor Bill de Blasio, sources close to the case tell CBS News. Changes in top prosecutor jobs are common during presidential transitions; Sassoon will depart once President Donald Trump confirms her replacement, New York City law professor Jay Clayton.
