Editing United States Attorney General

{{Short description|Head of the US Department of Justice}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = United States Attorney General
| flag = Flag of the United States Attorney General.svg
| flagborder = yes
| flagsize = 125
| flagcaption = Flag of the attorney general
| insignia = Seal of the United States Department of Justice.svg
| insigniasize = 125
| insigniacaption = Seal of the Department of Justice
| image = Pam Bondi in April 2025 (cropped).jpg
| incumbent = [[Pam Bondi]]
| acting = 
| incumbentsince = February 5, 2025
| department = [[United States Department of Justice]]
| style = Madam Attorney General (informal)<br>[[The Honourable#United States|The Honorable]] (formal)
| member_of = [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]]<br>[[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]]<br>[[United States Homeland Security Council|Homeland Security Council]]
| reports_to = [[President of the United States|President]]
| seat = [[Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building]]<br>[[Washington, D.C.]]
| appointer = [[President of the United States|President]]
| appointer_qualified = with [[United States Senate|Senate]] [[advice and consent]]
| termlength = No fixed term
| constituting_instrument = {{usc|28|503}}
| formation = September 26, 1789
| first = [[Edmund Randolph]]
| succession = [[United States presidential line of succession|Seventh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/19|title=3 U.S. Code § 19 – Vacancy in offices of both President and Vice President; officers eligible to act|access-date=November 7, 2018|archive-date=December 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226123834/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/19|url-status=live}}</ref>
| deputy = [[United States Deputy Attorney General|Deputy Attorney General]]
| salary = [[Executive Schedule|Executive Schedule, Level{{spaces}}I]]<ref name="UnitedStatesCode|5|5312">{{UnitedStatesCode|5|5312}}.</ref>
| website = {{URL|www.justice.gov/ag}}
}}

The '''United States attorney general''' is the head of the [[United States Department of Justice]] and serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]]. The attorney general acts as the principal legal advisor to the [[president of the United States]] on all legal matters. The attorney general is also a statutory member of the [[Cabinet of the United States]] and a member of the [[United States National Security Council]]. Additionally, the attorney general is seventh in the [[United States presidential line of succession|presidential line of succession]].

Under the [[Appointments Clause]] of the [[Constitution of the United States|United States Constitution]], the officeholder is nominated by the president of the United States, and, following a confirmation hearing before the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]], will take office if confirmed by the majority of the full [[United States Senate]]. The attorney general is supported by the Office of the Attorney General, which includes executive staff and several deputy attorneys general.

The attorney general is a [[Executive Schedule#Level I|Level I position in the Executive Schedule]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Executive Senior Level |url=https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2025/executive-senior-level |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=U.S. Office of Personnel Management |language=en}}</ref> and thus earns the salary prescribed for that level: $250,600, as of January 2025.

== Name ==
The title Attorney General is an example of a noun (''attorney'') followed by a [[postpositive adjective]] (''general'').<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Herz |first=Michael |date=2002 |title=Washington, Patton, Schwarzkopf and ... Ashcroft? |url=https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/concomm/771 |journal=Constitutional Commentary |access-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531193854/https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/concomm/771/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "General" is a description of the type of attorney, not a title or rank in itself ([[General officer|as it would be in the military]]).<ref name=":1" /> Even though the attorney general (and the similarly titled [[Solicitor General of the United States|solicitor general]]) is occasionally referred to as "General" or "General [last name]" by senior government officials, this is considered incorrect in standard [[American English]] usage.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Bryan A. |title=LawProse Lesson #116: What's the plural form of attorney general? And what is the plural possessive? |url=https://abovethelaw.com/career-files/lawprose-lesson-116-whats-the-plural-form-of-attorney-general-and-what-is-the-plural-possessive/ |access-date=May 31, 2019 |website=Above the Law |date=May 2013 |language=en-US}}</ref> For the same reason, the correct American English plural form is "attorneys general" rather than "attorney generals".<ref name=":2" />

==History==
{{see also|United States Department of Justice#History}}
[[File:Seal of the United States Department of Justice.svg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Seal of the Department of Justice]]

[[United States Congress|Congress]] passed the [[Judiciary Act of 1789]] which, among other things, established the Office of the Attorney General. The original duties of this officer were "to prosecute and conduct all suits in the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] in which the United States shall be concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon [[questions of law]] when required by the president of the United States, or when requested by the heads of any of the departments".<ref>[[Judiciary Act of 1789]], section 35.</ref> Some of these duties have since been transferred to the [[United States Solicitor General|United States solicitor general]] and the [[White House Counsel|White House counsel]].

The [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] was established in 1870 to support the attorneys general in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The [[United States Secretary of State|secretary of state]], the [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|secretary of the treasury]], the [[United States Secretary of Defense|secretary of defense]], and the attorney general are regarded as the four most important [[Cabinet of the United States|Cabinet]] officials in the United States because of the size and importance of their respective departments.<ref>''Cabinets and Counselors: The President and the Executive Branch'' (1997). [[Congressional Quarterly]]. p. 87.</ref>

== Duties and responsibilities ==
The attorney general's duties and responsibilities as the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government include overseeing the [[United States Department of Justice]], enforcing [[Federal law (United States)|federal laws]], and providing both formal and informal legal advice and opinions to the president of the United States, the cabinet, and the heads of executive departments and agencies. The attorney general represents the federal government in legal matters and supervises the administration and operation of the Department of Justice, which includes the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]], the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]], the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives]], the [[Office of Justice Programs]], [[United States Attorney|U.S. Attorneys]], and the [[United States Marshals Service]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-06 |title=Department of Justice {{!}} Office of the Attorney General {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/doj/organization-mission-and-functions-manual-office-attorney-general |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Additionally, the attorney general advises the president of the United States on appointments to federal judicial positions and Department of Justice roles, including U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals. While the attorney general may represent the United States in the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] and other courts, this is typically handled by the solicitor general.<ref>{{Cite web |title=28 U.S. Code § 518 - Conduct and argument of cases |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/518 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=LII / Legal Information Institute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=28 U.S. Code § 519 - Supervision of litigation |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/519 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=LII / Legal Information Institute |language=en}}</ref> The attorney general also performs or supervises other duties as required by statute or executive order.

The attorney general manages legal issues involving public safety, civil rights, and national security. The attorney general also communicates legal concerns to [[United States Congress|Congress]] and ensures compliance with federal laws across states. The attorney general's role occasionally evolves through congressional legislation. For example, in 2001, the [[Patriot Act|PATRIOT Act]] expanded the department's surveillance and investigative authority in matters of terrorism and national security, significantly impacting the scope of the attorney general’s responsibilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-06 |title=USA PATRIOT Act {{!}} Facts, History, Acronym, & Controversy {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/USA-PATRIOT-Act?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Additional duties include supervising federal penitentiaries and administering the [[United States Federal Witness Protection Program]].

==Presidential transition==
It is the practice for the attorney general, along with the other Cabinet secretaries and high-level [[Political appointments in the United States|political appointees of the president]], to tender a resignation with effect on the [[United States presidential inauguration|Inauguration Day]] (January 20) of a new president. The [[United States Deputy Attorney General|deputy attorney general]] is also expected to tender a resignation, but is commonly requested to stay on and act as the attorney general pending the [[Advice and consent#United States|confirmation by the Senate]] of the new attorney general.

For example, upon the inauguration of President [[Donald Trump]] on January 20, 2017, then-Attorney General [[Loretta Lynch]] left her position, so then-Deputy Attorney General [[Sally Yates]], who had also tendered her resignation, was asked to stay on to serve as the acting attorney general until the confirmation of the new attorney general [[Jeff Sessions]], who had been nominated for the office in November 2016 by then-[[President-elect of the United States|President-elect]] Donald Trump.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/trump-us-attorneys-233740 |title=Trump will allow U.S. attorneys to stay past Friday |date=January 17, 2017 |last=Gerstein |first=Josh |website=POLITICO |language=en |access-date=July 25, 2019 |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725210502/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/trump-us-attorneys-233740 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Efn|Unusually for a transitional acting appointment, Yates was dismissed and replaced with another Acting Attorney General before Sessions was confirmed because she refused to defend an [[executive order]] of the incoming administration.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/meet-the-acting-attorney-general-fired-by-trump-and-accused-of-betraying-the-justice-department/2017/01/30/05d4478c-e750-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html|title=Who is Sally Yates? Meet the acting attorney general Trump fired for 'betraying' the Justice Department|last=Horwitz|first=Sari|date=January 30, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=July 25, 2019|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129112033/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/meet-the-acting-attorney-general-fired-by-trump-and-accused-of-betraying-the-justice-department/2017/01/30/05d4478c-e750-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>|name=|group=}}

==List of attorneys general==
===Parties===
{{legend2|{{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}}|[[Federalist Party|Federalist]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (4)
{{legend2|{{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}}|[[Democratic-Republican Party|Democratic-Republican]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (5)
{{legend2|{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (34)
{{legend2|{{party color|Whig Party (United States)}}|[[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (4)
{{legend2|{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}} (41)

===Status===
{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes acting capacity.|border=black}}

{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="clear:right; text-align:center"
!No.
!class=unsortable |Portrait
!Name
!State of residence
!Took office
!Left office
!colspan=2 |[[President of the United States|President(s)]]
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|1}}
|[[File:Edmund Randolph (3x4 cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Edmund|Randolph}}
|[[Virginia]]
|{{dts|September 26, 1789}}
|{{dts|January 26, 1794}}
!rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Independent (politician)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|George|Washington}}<br>(1789–1797)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|2}}
|[[File:William Bradford, AG.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William|Bradford|dab=Attorney General}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|January 27, 1794}}
|{{dts|August 23, 1795}}
|-
! style="background: {{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}};" rowspan=2 |{{color|white|3}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Charleslee.png|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Charles|Lee|dab=Attorney General}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Virginia]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|December 10, 1795}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|February 19, 1801}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|John|Adams}}<br>(1797–1801)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|4}}
|[[File:Levi Lincoln, Sr.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Levi|Lincoln Sr.}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1801}}
|{{dts|March 2, 1805}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Thomas|Jefferson}}<br>(1801–1809)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|5}}
|[[File:John Breckinridge.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|John|Breckinridge|dab=U.S. Attorney General}}
|[[Kentucky]]
|{{dts|August 7, 1805}}
|{{dts|December 14, 1806}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|6}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Rodneycaesara3.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Caesar Augustus|Rodney}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Delaware]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|January 20, 1807}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|December 10, 1811}}
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|James|Madison}}<br>(1809–1817)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|7}}
|[[File:Williampinkney (1).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William|Pinkney}}
|[[Maryland]]
|{{dts|December 11, 1811}}
|{{dts|February 9, 1814}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Federalist Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|8}}
|[[File:Richard Rush engraving.png|75px]]
|{{sortname|Richard|Rush}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|February 10, 1814}}
|{{dts|November 12, 1817}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|9}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:William Wirt by Henry Inman (frameless) (cropped) (cropped).jpg|96x96px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|William|Wirt|dab=Attorney General}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Virginia]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|November 13, 1817}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 4, 1829}}
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|James|Monroe}}<br>(1817–1825)
|-
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic-Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|John Quincy|Adams}}<br>(1825–1829)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|10}}
|[[File:John Macpherson Berrien, portrait by John Maier.png|75px]]
|{{sortname|John Macpherson|Berrien}}
|[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|{{dts|March 9, 1829}}
|{{dts|July 19, 1831}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Andrew|Jackson}}<br>(1829–1837)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|11}}
|[[File:Roger Taney.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Roger B.|Taney}}
|[[Maryland]]
|{{dts|July 20, 1831}}
|{{dts|November 14, 1833}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|12}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Chester Harding - Benjamin Franklin Butler - 1963.172 - Dallas Museum of Art.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Benjamin Franklin|Butler|dab=lawyer}}
|rowspan=2 |[[New York (state)|New York]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|November 15, 1833}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|July 4, 1838}}
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Martin|Van Buren}}<br>(1837–1841)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|13}}
|[[File:Felix Grundy.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Felix|Grundy}}
|[[Tennessee]]
|{{dts|July 5, 1838}}
|{{dts|January 10, 1840}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|14}}
|[[File:Henry D. Gilpin, Attorney General of the United States (trimmed).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Henry D.|Gilpin}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|January 11, 1840}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1841}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |15
|rowspan=2 |[[File:John Jordan Crittenden - Brady 1855.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|John J.|Crittenden}}<br>{{small|''1st term''}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Kentucky]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 5, 1841}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|September 12, 1841}}
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|William Henry|Harrison}}<br>(1841)
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|John|Tyler}}<br>(1841–1845)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|16}}
|[[File:Hugh S. Legaré.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Hugh S.|Legaré}}
|[[South Carolina]]
|{{dts|September 13, 1841}}
|{{dts|June 20, 1843}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |17
|[[File:John Nelson, bw photo portrait, Brady-Handy collection, circa 1855-1865.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|John|Nelson|dab=lawyer}}
|[[Maryland]]
|{{dts|July 1, 1843}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1845}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|18}}
|[[File:JYMason.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|John Y.|Mason}}
|[[Virginia]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1845}}
|{{dts|October 16, 1846}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|James K.|Polk}}<br>(1845–1849)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|19}}
|[[File:NClifford.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Nathan|Clifford}}
|[[Maine]]
|{{dts|October 17, 1846}}
|{{dts|March 17, 1848}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|20}}
|[[File:Isaac Toucey - Brady-Handy (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Isaac|Toucey}}
|[[Connecticut]]
|{{dts|June 21, 1848}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1849}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |21
|[[File:Reverdy Johnson.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Reverdy|Johnson}}
|[[Maryland]]
|{{dts|March 8, 1849}}
|{{dts|July 21, 1850}}
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Zachary|Taylor}}<br>(1849–1850)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |22
|[[File:John Jordan Crittenden - Brady 1855.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|John J.|Crittenden}}<br>{{small|''2nd term''}}
|[[Kentucky]]
|{{dts|July 22, 1850}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1853}}
|style="background: {{party color|Whig Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Millard|Fillmore}}<br>(1850–1853)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|23}}
|[[File:Caleb Cushing.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Caleb|Cushing}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|March 7, 1853}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1857}}
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Franklin|Pierce}}<br>(1853–1857)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|24}}
|[[File:JSBlack-AG.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Jeremiah S.|Black}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|March 6, 1857}}
|{{dts|December 16, 1860}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|James|Buchanan}}<br>(1857–1861)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|25}}
|[[File:Edwin McMasters Stanton Secretary of War.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Edwin|Stanton}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|December 20, 1860}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1861}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|26}}
|[[File:Edward Bates - Brady-Handy.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Edward|Bates}}
|[[Missouri]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1861}}
|{{dts|November 24, 1864}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Abraham|Lincoln}}<br>(1861–1865)
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|27}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:James Speed.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|James|Speed}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Kentucky]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|December 2, 1864}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|July 22, 1866}}
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Andrew|Johnson}}<br>(1865–1869)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|28}}
|[[File:Stanberry-AttorGen.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Henry|Stanbery}}
|[[Ohio]]
|{{dts|July 23, 1866}}
|{{dts|July 16, 1868}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|29}}
|[[File:William M. Evarts - Brady-Handy.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William M.|Evarts}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|July 17, 1868}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1869}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|30}}
|[[File:EbenezerRHoar.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Ebenezer R.|Hoar}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1869}}
|{{dts|November 22, 1870}}
|rowspan=5 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=5 |{{sortname|Ulysses S.|Grant}}<br>(1869–1877)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|31}}
|[[File:Amos T Akerman - crop and minor retouch.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Amos T.|Akerman}}
|[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|{{dts|November 23, 1870}}
|{{dts|December 13, 1871}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|32}}
|[[File:George Henry Williams - Brady-Handy - Restored & Cropped.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|George Henry|Williams}}
|[[Oregon]]
|{{dts|December 14, 1871}}
|{{dts|April 25, 1875}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|33}}
|[[File:Edwards Pierrepont, Brady-Handy bw photo portrait, ca1865-1880.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Edwards|Pierrepont}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|April 26, 1875}}
|{{dts|May 21, 1876}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|34}}
|[[File:Alphonso Taft - cropped and retouched.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Alphonso|Taft}}
|[[Ohio]]
|{{dts|May 22, 1876}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1877}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|35}}
|[[File:Hon. Charles Devens of Mass. Atty Gen. Hayes Cabinet.png|75px]]
|{{sortname|Charles|Devens}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|March 12, 1877}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1881}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Rutherford B.|Hayes}}<br>(1877–1881)
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|36}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Wayne MacVeagh - Brady-Handy.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Wayne|MacVeagh}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Pennsylvania]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 5, 1881}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|December 15, 1881}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|James A.|Garfield}}<br>(1881)
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Chester A.|Arthur}}<br>(1881–1885)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|37}}
|[[File:BenjaminHBrewster.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Benjamin H.|Brewster}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|December 16, 1881}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1885}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|38}}
|[[File:Augustus Hill Garland - Brady-Handy.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Augustus|Garland|Augustus Hill Garland}}
|[[Arkansas]]
|{{dts|March 6, 1885}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1889}}
|style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Grover|Cleveland}}<br>(1885–1889)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|39}}
|[[File:WHHMiller.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William H. H.|Miller}}
|[[Indiana]]
|{{dts|March 7, 1889}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1893}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Benjamin|Harrison}}<br>(1889–1893)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|40}}
|[[File:Richard Olney, Bain bw photo portrait, 1913.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Richard|Olney}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|March 6, 1893}}
|{{dts|April 7, 1895}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Grover|Cleveland}}<br>(1893–1897)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|41}}
|[[File:Jud Harmon.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Judson|Harmon}}
|[[Ohio]]
|{{dts|April 8, 1895}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1897}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|42}}
|[[File:AssoJstcJMcK.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Joseph|McKenna}}
|[[California]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1897}}
|{{dts|January 25, 1898}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|William|McKinley}}<br>(1897–1901)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|43}}
|[[File:Griggs2.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|John W.|Griggs}}
|[[New Jersey]]
|{{dts|January 25, 1898}}
|{{dts|March 29, 1901}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|44}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Philander Knox, bw photo portrait, 1904.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Philander C.|Knox}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Pennsylvania]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|April 5, 1901}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|June 30, 1904}}
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Theodore|Roosevelt}}<br>(1901–1909)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|45}}
|[[File:WHMoody.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William Henry|Moody}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|July 1, 1904}}
|{{dts|December 17, 1906}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|46}}
|[[File:CJBonaparte.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Charles|Bonaparte|Charles Joseph Bonaparte}}
|[[Maryland]]
|{{dts|December 17, 1906}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1909}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|47}}
|[[File:GWWickersham.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|George W.|Wickersham}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|March 4, 1909}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1913}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|William Howard|Taft}}<br>(1909–1913)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|48}}
|[[File:James C. McReynolds - c1913.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|James|McReynolds|James Clark McReynolds}}
|[[Tennessee]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1913}}
|{{dts|August 29, 1914}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Woodrow|Wilson}}<br>(1913–1921)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|49}}
|[[File:WP Thomas Watt Gregory.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Thomas Watt|Gregory}}
|[[Texas]]
|{{dts|August 29, 1914}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1919}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|50}}
|[[File:Alexander Mitchell Palmer.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|A. Mitchell|Palmer}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|March 5, 1919}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1921}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|51}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Harry Daugherty, bw photo portrait 1920.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Harry M.|Daugherty}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Ohio]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|March 4, 1921}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|April 6, 1924}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Warren G.|Harding}}<br>(1921–1923)
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Calvin|Coolidge}}<br>(1923–1929)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|52}}
|[[File:Chief Justice Harlan Fiske Stone photograph circa 1927-1932.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Harlan F.|Stone}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|April 7, 1924}}
|{{dts|March 1, 1925}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|53}}
|[[File:John Sargent, Bain bw photo portrait.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|John G.|Sargent}}
|[[Vermont]]
|{{dts|March 7, 1925}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1929}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|54}}
|[[File:William D. Mitchell cph.3b30394.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William D.|Mitchell}}
|[[Minnesota]]
|{{dts|March 4, 1929}}
|{{dts|March 4, 1933}}
|style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|Herbert|Hoover}}<br>(1929–1933)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|55}}
|[[File:Homer Cummings, Harris & Ewing photo portrait, 1920.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Homer Stille|Cummings}}
|[[Connecticut]]
|{{dts|March 4, 1933}}
|{{dts|January 1, 1939}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Franklin D.|Roosevelt}}<br>(1933–1945)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|56}}
|[[File:Justice Frank Murphy.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Frank|Murphy}}
|[[Michigan]]
|{{dts|January 2, 1939}}
|{{dts|January 18, 1940}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|57}}
|[[File:Roberthjackson.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Robert H.|Jackson}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|January 18, 1940}}
|{{dts|August 25, 1941}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|58}}
|[[File:Francis Biddle cph.3b27524.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Francis|Biddle}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|August 26, 1941}}
|{{dts|June 26, 1945}}
|rowspan=4 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=4 |{{sortname|Harry S.|Truman}}<br>(1945–1953)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|59}}
|[[File:Official portrait of Associate Justice Tom C. Clark, Supreme Court of the United States (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Tom C.|Clark}}
|[[Texas]]
|{{dts|June 27, 1945}}
|{{dts|July 26, 1949}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|60}}
|[[File:J. Howard McGrath.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|J. Howard|McGrath}}
|[[Rhode Island]]
|{{dts|July 27, 1949}}
|{{dts|April 3, 1952}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|61}}
|[[File:James P McGranery cropped.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|James P.|McGranery}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|April 4, 1952}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1953}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|62}}
|[[File:Herbert Brownell.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Herbert|Brownell Jr.}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|January 21, 1953}}
|{{dts|October 23, 1957}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Dwight D.|Eisenhower}}<br>(1953–1961)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|63}}
|[[File:William P. Rogers, U.S. Secretary of State.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William P.|Rogers}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|October 23, 1957}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1961}}
|-
! style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" rowspan=2 |{{color|white|64}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Bobby Kennedy - restored.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Robert F.|Kennedy}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Massachusetts]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|January 20, 1961}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|September 3, 1964}}
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|{{sortname|John F.|Kennedy}}<br>(1961–1963)
|-
!rowspan=5 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=5 |{{sortname|Lyndon B.|Johnson}}<br>(1963–1969)
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|65}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Nicholas Katzenbach at White House, 6 May 1968.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Nicholas|Katzenbach}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Illinois]]
|bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |{{dts|September 4, 1964}}{{efn |name=dag-self|Served as acting attorney general in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Attorney General|deputy attorney general]], until his own appointment and confirmation as attorney general.}}
|bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |{{dts|January 28, 1965}}
|-
|{{dts|January 28, 1965}}
|{{dts|November 28, 1966}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|66}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Ramsey Clark at the White House, 28 Feb 1968.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Ramsey|Clark}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Texas]]
|bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |{{dts|November 28, 1966}}{{efn |name=dag-self}}
|bgcolor="#e6e6aa" |{{dts|March 10, 1967}}
|-
|{{dts|March 10, 1967}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1969}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|67}}
|[[File:John Mitchell.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|John N.|Mitchell}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|January 20, 1969}}
|{{dts|February 15, 1972}}
|rowspan=5 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=5 |{{sortname|Richard|Nixon}}<br>(1969–1974)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|68}}
|[[File:Attorney General Richard Kleindienst.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Richard|Kleindienst}}
|[[Arizona]]
|{{dts|February 15, 1972}}
|{{dts|April 30, 1973}}<ref name=":0">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/3-top-nixon-aides-kleindienst-out-president-accepts-full-responsibility-richardson-will-conduct-new-probe/2012/06/04/gJQAx7oFJV_story.html |title=3 Top Nixon Aides, Kleindienst Out; President Accepts Full Responsibility; Richardson Will Conduct New Probe |last1=Stern |first1=Laurence |date=May 1, 1973 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=February 28, 2019 |last2=Johnson |first2=Haynes |archive-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301074640/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/3-top-nixon-aides-kleindienst-out-president-accepts-full-responsibility-richardson-will-conduct-new-probe/2012/06/04/gJQAx7oFJV_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|69}}
|[[File:ElliotLeeRichardson.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Elliot|Richardson}}
|[[Massachusetts]]
|{{dts|May 25, 1973}}<ref name=":0"/>
|{{dts|October 20, 1973}}
|- bgcolor="#E6E6AA"
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|[[File:Robert Bork.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Robert|Bork}}{{efn |On October 20, 1973, [[United States Solicitor General|Solicitor General]] [[Robert Bork]] became acting attorney general following the "[[Saturday Night Massacre]]", in which [[U.S. Attorney General]] [[Elliot Richardson]] and [[United States Deputy Attorney General|Deputy Attorney General]] [[William Ruckelshaus]] both resigned.}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|[[Pennsylvania]]
|{{dts|October 20, 1973}}
|{{dts|January 4, 1974}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|70}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:WilliamBartSaxbe2.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|William B.|Saxbe}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Ohio]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|January 4, 1974}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|February 2, 1975}}
|-
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Gerald|Ford}}<br>(1974–1977)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|71}}
|[[File:Edward Levi Attorney General.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Edward H.|Levi}}
|[[Illinois]]
|{{dts|February 2, 1975}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1977}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Dick Thornburgh.jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Dick|Thornburgh}}{{efn |Served as acting attorney general in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Attorney General|deputy attorney general]], until the appointment of a new attorney general. Thornburgh later served as attorney general from 1988–1991.}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Pennsylvania]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 1977}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 26, 1977}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Jimmy|Carter}}<br>(1977–1981)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|72}}
|[[File:Griffin Bell -uglaw AG72 (cropped).tif|75px]]
|{{sortname|Griffin|Bell}}
|[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|{{dts|January 26, 1977}}
|{{dts|August 16, 1979}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|73}}
|[[File:Benjamin Civiletti (1979).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Benjamin|Civiletti}}
|[[Maryland]]
|{{dts|August 16, 1979}}
|{{dts|January 19, 1981}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|74}}
|[[File:Portrait officiel de William French Smith.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William French|Smith}}
|[[California]]
|{{dts|January 23, 1981}}
|{{dts|February 25, 1985}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Ronald|Reagan}}<br>(1981–1989)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|75}}
|[[File:Edwin Meese III Attorney General portrait (cropped1).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Edwin|Meese}}
|[[California]]
|{{dts|February 25, 1985}}
|{{dts|August 12, 1988}}
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|76}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:Dick Thornburgh.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Dick|Thornburgh}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Pennsylvania]]
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|August 12, 1988}}
|rowspan=2 |{{dts|August 15, 1991}}
|-
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|George H. W.|Bush}}<br>(1989–1993)
|-
!rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|77}}
|rowspan=2 |[[File:William Barr, official photo as Attorney General.jpg|75px]]
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|William|Barr}}<br>{{small|''1st term''}}
|rowspan=2 |[[Virginia]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|August 16, 1991}}{{efn |name=dag-self}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|November 26, 1991}}
|-
|{{dts|November 26, 1991}}
|{{dts|January 20, 1993}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" | 
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Stuart M.|Gerson}}{{efn |Served as acting attorney general in his capacity as [[United States Assistant Attorney General|Assistant Attorney General]] for the [[United States Department of Justice Civil Division|DOJ Civil Division]].<ref name=shot>{{cite web |author=Staff reporter |title=Stuart Gerson's Parting Shot |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 21, 1993 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE1DE1331F932A15751C0A965958260 |access-date=December 12, 2008 |quote=As supporters of the Brady gun-control bill prepare to introduce it in Congress yet again this week, they find a welcome, if unlikely, ally in Stuart Gerson, the Acting Attorney General. Because President Clinton has had so many problems finding a new Attorney General, Mr. Gerson remains in office{{spaces}}...}}</ref> Gerson was fourth in the line of succession at the Justice Department, but other senior DOJ officials had already resigned.<ref name=nyt>{{cite web |author=Labaton, Stephen |title=Notes on Justice; Who's in Charge? Bush Holdover Says He Is, but Two Clinton Men Differ |work=The New York Times |date=January 25, 1993 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE3DF1F38F936A15752C0A965958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |access-date=December 12, 2008}}</ref> [[Janet Reno]], President Clinton's nominee for attorney general, was confirmed on March 12,<ref name=reno>{{cite web |author=Ifill, Gwen |title=Reno Confirmed in Top Justice Job |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 12, 1993 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEED71130F931A25750C0A965958260 |access-date=December 12, 2008 |quote=She will replace Acting Attorney General Stuart M. Gerson, a holdover appointee from the Bush Administration. Ms. Reno said he resigned today.}}</ref> and he resigned the same day.<ref name=reno/>}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Washington, D.C.]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 1993}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|March 12, 1993}}
|rowspan=2 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=2 |{{sortname|Bill|Clinton}}<br>(1993–2001)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|78}}
|[[File:Janet Reno-us-Portrait.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Janet|Reno}}
|[[Florida]]
|{{dts|March 12, 1993}}
|{{dts|January 20, 2001}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:HolderEric.jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Eric|Holder}}{{efn |Served as acting attorney general in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Attorney General|deputy attorney general]], until the appointment of a new attorney general. Holder later served as attorney general from 2009–2015.}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Washington, D.C.]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 2001}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|February 2, 2001}}
|rowspan=6 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=6 |{{sortname|George W.|Bush}}<br>(2001–2009)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|79}}
|[[File:John Ashcroft.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|John|Ashcroft}}
|[[Missouri]]
|{{dts|February 2, 2001}}
|{{dts|February 3, 2005}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|80}}
|[[File:Alberto Gonzales - official DoJ photograph.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Alberto|Gonzales}}
|[[Texas]]
|{{dts|February 3, 2005}}
|{{dts|September 17, 2007}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Paul D. Clement.jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Paul|Clement}}{{efn |name=clement-keisler|On August 27, 2007, President Bush named Solicitor General [[Paul Clement]] as the future acting attorney general, to take office upon the resignation of [[Alberto Gonzales]], effective September 17, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |first=Steven Lee |last=Meyers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/washington/27cnd-gonzales.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1188217220-bs39MOr+UJpRTDAYWymL9g |title=Embattled Attorney General Resigns |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=August 27, 2007 |date=August 27, 2007 |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510021210/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/washington/27cnd-gonzales.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1188217220-bs39MOr%20UJpRTDAYWymL9g |url-status=live}}</ref> On September 17, President Bush announced that [[United States Assistant Attorney General|Assistant Attorney General]] for the [[United States Department of Justice Civil Division|DOJ Civil Division]] [[Peter Keisler]] would become acting attorney general, pending a permanent appointment of a presidential nominee.<ref>[https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/09/20070917-4.html "President Bush Announces Judge Michael Mukasey as Nominee for Attorney General"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041805/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/09/20070917-4.html |date=November 11, 2017}}, White House press release, September 17, 2007</ref><ref name='NYTimes-Associated Press-Bush Text-2007-09-17'>{{cite news |agency=[[The Associated Press]] |title=Bush Text on Attorney General Nomination |date=September 17, 2007 |work=NewsOK.com |publisher=[[The Oklahoman]] |url=http://newsok.com/bush-text-on-attorney-general-nomination/article/3128043 |access-date=September 18, 2007 |archive-date=February 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203012225/http://newsok.com/bush-text-on-attorney-general-nomination/article/3128043 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to administration officials, Clement became acting attorney general at 12:01{{spaces}}am September 17, 2007, and left office 24 hours later.<ref name='WPost-Eggen-2007-09-19'>{{cite web |first=Dan |last=Eggen |author2=Elizabeth Williamson |title=Democrats May Tie Confirmation to Gonzales Papers |date=September 19, 2007 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/18/AR2007091801379.html?nav=rss_politics |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |pages=A10 |access-date=September 19, 2007 |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404130102/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/18/AR2007091801379.html?nav=rss_politics |url-status=live}}</ref> Keisler served as acting attorney general until the confirmation of [[Michael Mukasey]] on November 9, 2007.}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |Washington, D.C.
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|September 17, 2007}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|September 18, 2007}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:peterkeisler.jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Peter|Keisler}}{{efn |name=clement-keisler}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |Washington, D.C.
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|September 18, 2007}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|November 9, 2007}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|81}}
|[[File:Michael Mukasey, official AG photo portrait, 2007.jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Michael|Mukasey}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|November 9, 2007}}
|{{dts|January 20, 2009}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Mark Filip.jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Mark|Filip}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Illinois]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 2009}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|February 3, 2009}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Barack|Obama}}<br>(2009–2017)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|82}}
|[[File:Eric Holder official portrait (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Eric|Holder}}
|[[Washington, D.C.]]
|{{dts|February 3, 2009}}
|{{dts|April 27, 2015}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|83}}
|[[File:Loretta Lynch, official portrait (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Loretta|Lynch}}
|[[New York (state)|New York]]
|{{dts|April 27, 2015}}
|{{dts|January 20, 2017}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Sally Q. Yates (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Sally|Yates}}{{efn |Served as acting attorney general in her capacity as [[United States Deputy Attorney General|deputy attorney general]], until she was fired after saying the Department of Justice would not defend an [[executive order]] in court.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/politics/donald-trump-immigration-order-department-of-justice/index.html |title=Trump fires acting AG after she declines to defend travel ban |first1=Evan |last1=Perez |first2=Jeremy |last2=Diamond |publisher=CNN |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=March 12, 2018 |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502120103/https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/30/politics/donald-trump-immigration-order-department-of-justice/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 2017}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 30, 2017}}
|rowspan=8 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=8 |{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2017–2021)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Channing D. Phillips.jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Channing D.|Phillips}}{{efn |Served as acting attorney general in his capacity as [[United States Attorney for the District of Columbia]] for a few minutes to a few hours following the dismissal of [[Sally Yates]] on January 30, 2017 pursuant to Executive Order 13762 titled “Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Justice” that was signed by President [[Barack Obama]] on January 13, 2017 and published in the [[Federal Register]] on January 19, 2017 due to the fact that all of the other officials ahead of Phillips listed in that executive order had either resigned their positions leaving their positions vacant or were serving in their positions in an acting capacity and were thus ineligible to lawfully succeed to the position of acting attorney general upon the dismissal of [[Sally Yates]] on January 30, 2017 pursuant to that executive order leaving Phillips next in line to lawfully succeed to the position of acting attorney general at that time pursuant to that executive order and Phillips had therefore automatically succeeded to the position of acting attorney general at that time pursuant to that executive order.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-01487 |title=Executive Order 13762 |website=[[Federal Register]]|date=January 19, 2017 }}</ref> President [[Donald Trump]] signed an executive order naming [[United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia#United States Attorney|United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia]] [[Dana Boente]] as acting attorney general a few minutes to a few hours after the dismissal of [[Sally Yates]] and automatic succession of Phillips to the position of acting attorney general.}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Washington, D.C.]]
|align=center colspan=2 bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 30, 2017}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Dana Boente (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Dana|Boente}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Virginia (U.S. state)|Virginia]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 30, 2017}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|February 9, 2017}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|84}}
|[[File:Jeff Sessions, official portrait (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Jeff|Sessions}}
|[[Alabama]]
|{{dts|February 9, 2017}}
|{{dts|November 7, 2018}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Rod Rosenstein official portrait 2 (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Rod|Rosenstein}}{{efn |Following the resignation of [[Jeff Sessions]] as attorney general at the request of President [[Donald Trump]], Rosenstein served as acting attorney general in his capacity as [[United States Deputy Attorney General|deputy attorney general]] for a few hours on November 7, 2018 until Trump signed an executive order naming [[Matthew Whitaker]] as acting attorney general later that day.<ref>{{cite web |last=Blitzer |first=Ronn |date=November 7, 2018 |title=Attorney General Jeff Sessions is Out. Here's What Could Happen Next. |url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-is-out-heres-what-could-happen-next |access-date=September 18, 2024 |website=Law & Crime |language=en-US}}</ref>}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Maryland]]
|align=center colspan=2 bgcolor="#E6E6AA"|{{dts|November 7, 2018}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Matthew G. Whitaker official photo (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Matthew|Whitaker}}{{efn |name=MW-constitution|The legality of Matthew Whitaker's appointment as acting attorney general was [[Matthew Whitaker#Legality and constitutionality of the appointment|called into question]] by several constitutional scholars. Among those included [[Neal K. Katyal|Neal Katyal]] and [[George T. Conway III]], who asserted it is unconstitutional, because the Attorney General is a principal officer under the [[Appointments Clause]], and thus requires senate consent, even in an acting capacity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/08/opinion/trump-attorney-general-sessions-unconstitutional.html |title=Opinion {{!}} Trump's Appointment of the Acting Attorney General Is Unconstitutional |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 8, 2018 |access-date=November 15, 2018 |language=en |last=Katyal |first=Neal K. |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604134431/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/08/opinion/trump-attorney-general-sessions-unconstitutional.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Maryland filed an [[injunction]] against Whitaker's appointment on this basis.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/11/12/667180873/maryland-says-matthew-whitaker-appointment-as-acting-attorney-general-is-unlawfu?t=1542261595420 |title=Maryland Says Matthew Whitaker Appointment As Acting Attorney General Is Unlawful |work=NPR.org |access-date=November 15, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116000748/https://www.npr.org/2018/11/12/667180873/maryland-says-matthew-whitaker-appointment-as-acting-attorney-general-is-unlawfu?t=1542261595420|url-status=live}}</ref> John E. Bies at ''[[Lawfare (website)|Lawfare]]'' regarded it as an unresolved question.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lawfaremedia.org/matthew-whitakers-appointment-acting-attorney-general-three-lingering-questions |title=Matthew Whitaker's Appointment as Acting Attorney General: Three Lingering Questions |date=November 8, 2018 |work=[[Lawfare (website)|Lawfare]] |access-date=November 15, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116053532/https://www.lawfaremedia.org/matthew-whitakers-appointment-acting-attorney-general-three-lingering-questions |url-status=live}}</ref> The DOJ [[Office of Legal Counsel]] released a legal opinion, asserting that the appointment was legal and consistent with past precedent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/14/politics/whitaker-justice-mueller/index.html|title=DOJ says Whitaker's appointment as acting attorney general is constitutional |first=Laura |last=Jarrett |work=CNN |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114210624/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/14/politics/whitaker-justice-mueller/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Iowa]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|November 7, 2018}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|February 14, 2019}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|85}}
|[[File:William Barr (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|William|Barr}}<br>{{small|''2nd term''}}
|[[Virginia (U.S. state)|Virginia]]
|{{dts|February 14, 2019}}
|{{dts|December 23, 2020}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Jeff Rosen official DOJ portrait (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Jeffrey A.|Rosen}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Massachusetts]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|December 24, 2020}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 2021}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:John Demers official photo (cropped).png|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|John|Demers}}{{efn |Served as acting attorney general in his capacity as Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ National Security Division for a few hours following the resignation of [[Jeffrey A. Rosen|Jeffrey Rosen]] at noon on January 20, 2021. President [[Joe Biden]] signed an executive order naming Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Human Resources and Administration [[Monty Wilkinson (lawyer)|Monty Wilkinson]] as acting attorney general later that day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/20/politics/justice-department-special-counsel-rosen-wilkinson/index.html |title=Trump's acting attorney general leaves without creating controversial special counsels |website=[[CNN]]|date=January 20, 2021 }}</ref>}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Massachusetts]]
|align=center colspan=2 bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 2021}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3 |{{sortname|Joe|Biden}}<br>(2021–2025)
|-
! style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Monty Wilkinson DOJ official photo.jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Monty|Wilkinson|dab=lawyer}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Washington, D.C.]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 2021}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|March 11, 2021}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|86}}
|[[File:Attorney General Merrick Garland (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Merrick|Garland}}
|[[Maryland]]
|{{dts|March 11, 2021}}
|{{dts|January 20, 2025}}
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[File:Gary M. Restaino, U.S. Attorney official portrait.jpg|75px]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|Gary M.|Restaino}}{{efn |Served as acting attorney general in his capacity as [[United States Attorney]] for the [[United States District Court for the District of Arizona|District of Arizona]] for a few hours following the resignation of [[Merrick Garland]] at noon on January 20, 2025 pursuant to Executive Order 14136 titled “Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Justice” that was signed by President [[Joe Biden]] on January 3, 2025 and published in the [[Federal Register]] on January 13, 2025 due to the fact that all of the other officials ahead of Restaino listed in that executive order had either resigned their positions leaving their positions vacant or were serving in their positions in an acting capacity and were thus ineligible to lawfully succeed to the position of acting attorney general upon the resignation of [[Merrick Garland]] at noon on January 20, 2025 pursuant to that executive order leaving Restaino next in line to lawfully succeed to the position of acting attorney general at that time pursuant to that executive order and Restaino had therefore automatically succeeded to the position of acting attorney general at that time pursuant to that executive order.<ref name=":29">{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-00611 |title=Executive Order 14136 |website=[[Federal Register]]|date=January 13, 2025 }}</ref> President [[Donald Trump]] signed an executive order naming DOJ Chief Administrative Hearing Officer [[James McHenry (lawyer)|James McHenry]] as acting attorney general later that day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/20/donald-trump-inauguration-day-news-updates-analysis/donald-trump-acting-attorney-general-00199415 |title=Trump taps longtime immigration official as acting attorney general |website=POLITICO |date=January 20, 2025 }}</ref>}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Arizona]]
|align=center colspan=2 bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 2025}}
|rowspan=3 style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |
|rowspan=3|{{sortname|Donald|Trump}}<br>(2025–present)
|-
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|–}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" | 
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{sortname|James|McHenry|dab=lawyer}}<br>{{small|Acting}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |[[Washington, D.C.]]
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |{{dts|January 20, 2025}}
|bgcolor="#E6E6AA" |February 5, 2025
|- 
!style="background: {{party color|Republican Party (United States)}};" |{{color|white|87}}
|[[File:Pam Bondi in April 2025 (cropped).jpg|75px]]
|{{sortname|Pam|Bondi}}
|[[Florida]]
|February 5, 2025
|''Incumbent''
|}

==Line of succession==
{{USC|28|508}} establishes the first two positions in the line of succession, while allowing the attorney general to designate other high-ranking officers of the Department of Justice as subsequent successors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2016-title28/html/USCODE-2016-title28-partII-chap31-sec508.htm|title=U.S.C. Title 28 – JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE|website=www.gpo.gov|access-date=June 14, 2018|archive-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615032226/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2016-title28/html/USCODE-2016-title28-partII-chap31-sec508.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, the most recent [[Executive order|Executive Order]] pertaining to the line of succession, [[Executive order|Executive Order]] 14136 titled “Providing an Order of Succession Within the Department of Justice” that was signed by President [[Joe Biden]] on January 3, 2025 and published in the [[Federal Register]] on January 13, 2025<ref name=":29">{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-00611 |title=Executive Order 14136 |website=[[Federal Register]]|date=January 13, 2025 }}</ref> but was revoked by President [[Donald Trump]] on January 20, 2025<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/initial-rescissions-of-harmful-executive-orders-and-actions/ |title=INITIAL RESCISSIONS OF HARMFUL EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ACTIONS |website=[[White House]]|date=January 20, 2025 }}</ref> and has yet to be replaced with another executive order pertaining to the line of succession, defines subsequent positions. The most recent line of succession was:

# [[United States Deputy Attorney General]]
# [[United States Associate Attorney General]]
# Other officers potentially designated by the attorney general (in no particular order):
#* [[Solicitor General of the United States]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division|Antitrust Division]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[United States Department of Justice Civil Division|Civil Division]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division|Civil Rights Division]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[United States Department of Justice Criminal Division|Criminal Division]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[United States Department of Justice National Security Division|National Security Division]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division|Environment and Natural Resources Division]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[United States Department of Justice Tax Division|Tax Division]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[Office of Justice Programs]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[Office of Legal Counsel]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[Office of Legal Policy]]
#* Assistant Attorney General, [[U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legislative Affairs|Office of Legislative Affairs]]
# [[United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York]]
# [[United States Attorney]] for the [[United States District Court for the District of Arizona|District of Arizona]]
# [[United States Attorney]] for the [[United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois|Northern District of Illinois]]
# [[United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii]]

==Notable figures==
* First Italian American male: [[Charles Joseph Bonaparte]] in 1906<ref>{{Cite book |last1=LaGumina |first1=Salvatore J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JUyAAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA66 |title=The Italian American Experience: An Encyclopedia |last2=Cavaioli |first2=Frank J. |last3=Primeggia |first3=Salvatore |last4=Varacalli |first4=Joseph A. |date=2003-09-02 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-58333-0 |language=en}}</ref>
* First Jewish American male: [[Edward H. Levi]] in 1975<ref>{{Cite web |title=#05-591: 11-03-05 NEW AWARD CREATED TO HONOR FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL EDWARD H. LEVI |url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2005/November/05_opa_591.html |access-date=2018-12-11 |website=www.justice.gov}}</ref>
* First female: [[Janet Reno]] in 1993<ref>{{Cite book |last=Magill |first=Frank N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqvpudh8dasC&pg=PA3153 |title=The 20th Century O-Z: Dictionary of World Biography |date=2013-05-13 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136593697 |language=en}}</ref>
* First Hispanic American male: [[Alberto Gonzales]] in 2005<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alberto Gonzales becomes first Hispanic U.S. attorney general {{!}} February 3, 2005 |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/gonzales-becomes-first-hispanic-u-s-attorney-general |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=HISTORY |language=en}}</ref>
* First African American male: [[Eric Holder]] in 2009<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last1=Rennison |first1=Callie Marie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jvqcDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT439 |title=Introduction to Criminal Justice: Systems, Diversity, and Change |last2=Dodge |first2=Mary |date=2016-12-01 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=9781506347745}}</ref>
* First African American female: [[Loretta Lynch]] in 2015<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prater |first=Nia |date=January 12, 2017 |title=Loretta Lynch Bids Farewell to Justice Department |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-01-12/loretta-lynch-bids-farewell-to-justice-department |website=U.S. News}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Pete Hegseth]]|as=[[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Attorney General}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Doug Burgum]]|as=[[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|us-pres}}
{{s-bef|before=[[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]<br>{{small|Pete Hegseth}}}}
{{s-ttl|title=7th in line|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]]<br>{{small|Doug Burgum}}}}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes
|list =
{{USAttGen}}
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{{Americas topic|title =Attorneys General of the Americas|prefix=Attorney General of}}}}

[[Category:Attorneys general of the United States| ]]
[[Category:1789 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Cabinet of the United States|Attorney General]]
[[Category:Lists of members of the Cabinet of the United States|Attorneys-General]]