Federal government of the United States

United States federal government
Legislative branch
Coat of arms
Formation	1789 (1789)
Founding document	United States Constitution
Jurisdiction	United States
Website	usa.gov
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

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The federal government of the United States (U.S. federal government or U.S. government)^[a] is the national government of the United States.^[2]

The U.S. federal government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Powers of these three branches are defined and vested by the U.S. Constitution, which has been in continuous effect since May 4, 1789.^[3] 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.
^ Zimmermann, Joseph F. (2008). Contemporary American Federalism: The Growth of National Power (2nd ed.). Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. 4–12. ISBN 9780791475966. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
^ "Government structure". USAFacts. Retrieved February 10, 2024.

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