why does the president get to choose the attorney general

What is the role of the Attorney General?

Jun 26, 2020 · The founders ultimately decided that the attorney general should be chosen by the president in order to mirror the presidential appointment of federal judges. It …

Does the President have the right to demand loyalty from the Attorney General?

Feb 15, 2022 · There are attorneys general across the country that serve as the top legal administrators. As individuals, they advocate on behalf of citizens, as their legislature and state agencies act as ...

Is the Attorney General the head of law enforcement in America?

Jan 17, 2019 · ROBERTS: Well, obviously, the most famous case of an attorney general defending the Constitution over the president's wishes was the so-called "Saturday Night Massacre," when Nixon ordered his ...

Why is the Office of Attorney General so complex?

Jun 20, 2017 · The attorney general should defend the nonpartisanship and professionalism of Justice Department lawyers as they speak truth to power. It now appears the best way to ensure all this is to amend the...

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115 rows · The United States attorney general ( AG) leads the United States Department of Justice, and is the chief lawyer 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. The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United ...

The perils of presidential loyalty

The U.S. attorney general is appointed by – and answerable to – a partisan president. Consequently, attorneys general are often appointed as a result of loyalty. Barr is not the first attorney general to be viewed as a presidential loyalist; Eric Holder, for instance, publicly proclaimed he was President Barack Obama’s “ wingman .”

States take a variety of approaches

In the states, it is unusual for the head of the executive branch – that is, the governor – to have the power to hire and fire the attorney general. Only five states grant the governor the power to appoint the state attorney general: Alaska, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Wyoming.

Part of the judiciary

Many of the founders envisioned that the U.S. attorney general would be appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

What is the job of the Attorney General?

The attorney general serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United Stateson all legal matters. The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States.

Who was the attorney general nominee for Clinton?

Gerson was fourth in the line of succession at the Justice Department, but other senior DOJ officials had already resigned.[14] Janet Reno, President Clinton's nominee for attorney general, was confirmed on March 12,[15]and he resigned the same day.

When does the Attorney General have to resign?

Presidential transition[edit] It is the practice for the attorney general, along with the other Cabinet secretaries and high-level political appointees of the President, to tender a resignation with effect on the Inauguration Day(January 20) of a new president.

Is "general" a noun?

The title "attorney general" is an example of a noun (attorney) followed by a postpositive adjective(general).[8]". General" is a description of the type of attorney, not a title or rank in itself (as it would be in the military).[8]

Why is the United States a law abiding country?

The belief among Americans that the law is applied fairly is one of the reasons the United States is a law abiding country. So comments by the president about how the attorney general is proceeding in a particular case raises questions about whether the president is interfering with the judicial process and the even handedness ...

Why did the Framers create an independent judiciary?

The Framers created an independent judiciary, appointed for life, for the purpose of assuring that justice would be done in individual cases. Since the attorney general and the Justice Department are direct participants in the legal process, it is essential that their actions meet this standard.

Why is Barr important?

However, it is precisely because he has this obligation that the president should reconsider his position. As many have noted, Barr is an important asset for the administration. He is a straight shooter with extraordinary credibility, and he is admired for his independence.

Did Barr say he was serious about quitting?

He has continued to attack the Stone verdict and even the judge , despite Barr reportedly telling the people in the White House that he was serious about quitting unless the president stops. Trump seems willing to risk losing an important member of his administration to continue his campaign for more leniency toward Stone.

Who sided with Barr?

That is why the most ardent supporters of Trump in Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, have sided with Barr, saying that the president should listen to his attorney general. But Trump apparently does not see it this way.

Is the President correct about his constitutional powers?

The president is correct about his constitutional powers, but he should recognize that publicly criticizing the attorney general on a matter of law enforcement is not the same as criticizing the secretary of veterans affairs for lapses in health care for veterans. The difference is its effect on the rule of law, which is not in the Constitution, ...