The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The current Attorney General is John Ashcroft, who has recently announced his resignation and is expected to be replaced by Alberto R. Gonzales.

The members of the Department of Justice represent the United States in legal matters generally and offer advice and opinions to the President and to the heads of the executive departments of the Government when so requested. The Attorney General appears in person to represent the Government before the Supreme Court of the United States in cases of exceptional importance. Under most circumstances the United States Solicitor General argues before the Supreme Court on the government's behalf.

The Attorney General is a member of the President's Cabinet, the only member who is not given the title Secretary.

^[1]As of November 9, 2004, Alberto Gonzales has been nominated to replace John Ashcroft, who has resigned pending confirmation of a successor.

External links

• Biographies of the Attorneys General (http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ls/agbiographies.htm)