United States Deputy Attorney General

Core responsibilities

The office coordinates and supervises the Department’s major divisions and offices, providing executive direction and ensuring consistent implementation of departmental priorities. Typical functions include:

• Managing daily operations and administrative matters across criminal, civil, and national security units.
• Supervising senior leadership and evaluating performance of component heads and United States Attorneys.
• Developing and reviewing policy initiatives, enforcement strategies, and legal guidance.
• Representing the Department in interagency and congressional briefings when appropriate.
• Overseeing resource allocation, budgetary priorities, and organizational reforms.

Appointment, tenure and succession

The Deputy Attorney General is nominated by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the United States Senate. This is a political appointment without a fixed statutory term; the holder serves at the pleasure of the President. By established practice and statute, the Deputy is second in the department’s line of succession and may act as Attorney General if that office is vacant or the incumbent cannot perform the duties.

History and development

The Office of the Deputy Attorney General was established in 1950 to address the growing administrative and legal demands facing the Department. Over time the role has expanded from administrative oversight to include a central position in national law enforcement strategy, policy coordination, and crisis management.

Notable features and distinctions

The Deputy Attorney General differs from other senior officials in the department by combining managerial responsibility with policy authority. There are also other high-level deputies and assistants—such as Associate Deputies and Assistant Attorneys General—who lead specific divisions, but the Deputy Attorney General retains broad supervisory authority over the department as a whole.

Importance and examples of influence

While the office does not itself litigate most matters, the Deputy Attorney General influences which cases the Department prioritizes, how resources are deployed, and how legal interpretations are coordinated. The post therefore plays a consequential role in the implementation of federal law, shaping enforcement priorities and overseeing large investigations and programs administered by the Department of Justice.