Federal government of the United States

United States Federal Government
Formation1789 (1789)
Founding documentUnited States Constitution
Jurisdiction United States
Websitewww.usa.gov
Legislative branch
LegislatureCongress
Meeting placeCapitol
Executive branch
LeaderPresident
AppointerElectoral College
HeadquartersWhite House
Main organCabinet
Departments15
Judicial branch
CourtSupreme Court
SeatSupreme Court Building

The federal government of the United States (U.S. federal government or U.S. government)[a] is the national government of the United States, a federal republic located primarily in North America, composed of 50 states, five major self-governing territories, several island possessions, and the federal district and national capital of Washington, D.C., where most of the federal government is based.

The U.S. federal government, sometimes simply referred to as "Washington", is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the U.S. Constitution in the Congress, the president, and the federal courts, respectively.[2] The powers and duties of these branches are further defined by acts of Congress, including the creation of executive departments and courts subordinate to the U.S. Supreme Court.

  1. ^ "3" (PDF). U.S. Government Publishing Office Style Manual (2016 ed.). U.S. Government Publishing Office. 2016. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-16-093601-2. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  2. ^ "Government structure". USAFacts. Retrieved February 10, 2024.


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