 | It has been suggested that Criticism of the United States government be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2024. |
 | |
| Formation | 1789 |
|---|---|
| Founding document | United States Constitution |
| Jurisdiction | United States |
| Website | www |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature | Congress |
| Meeting place | Capitol |
| Executive branch | |
| Leader | President |
| Appointer | Electoral College |
| Headquarters | White House |
| Main organ | Cabinet |
| Departments | 15 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Court | Supreme Court |
| Seat | Supreme Court Building |
| This article is part of a series on the |
| Politics of the United States |
|---|
|
|
|
_US_House_of_Representatives.svg){kind=small}
The federal government of the United States (U.S. federal government or U.S. government)[a] is the common government of the United States, a federal republic located primarily in North America, comprising 50 states, five major self-governing territories, several island possessions, and the federal district (national capital) of Washington, D.C., where the majority of the federal government is based.
The U.S. federal government 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.
In the federal division of power, the federal government shares sovereignty with each of the 50 states in their respective territories. U.S. law recognizes Indigenous tribes as possessing sovereign powers, while being subject to federal jurisdiction.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Government structure". USAFacts. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).