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Executive Offices

The President, the Vice President, the cabinet secretaries, and the senior appointed posts of the executive branch.

Attorney General of the United States
The nation's chief law enforcement officer and the head of the Justice Department
Cabinet Secretaries
The fifteen department heads: how they are chosen, what they are paid, how they leave, and who fills in
Chair of the Federal Reserve
The head of the central bank and the most closely watched economic official in the world
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The highest-ranking U.S. military officer and the principal military adviser to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council
Chief of Protocol of the United States
The State Department official, with the rank of ambassador, who manages state visits, accredits foreign diplomats, runs Blair House, and handles official gifts
Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries
The Senate-confirmed officials just below each cabinet secretary who run day-to-day operations and lead major divisions of the federal departments
Director of National Intelligence
The head of the intelligence community and the President's principal intelligence adviser
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
The head of the CIA, who manages foreign human intelligence collection and covert action and reports to the President through the Director of National Intelligence
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
The head of the FBI, appointed to a single 10-year term so that the nation's chief federal investigator would serve across administrations
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
The Senate-confirmed official who prepares the President's budget, controls how agencies spend appropriated funds, and oversees federal regulations
Federal Reserve Board of Governors
The seven-member board in Washington, appointed to staggered 14-year terms, that leads the Federal Reserve System and anchors the majority on the committee that sets interest rates
Inspectors General
The independent watchdogs inside federal agencies who audit programs and investigate waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct, reporting to both the agency head and Congress
National Security Advisor
The President's top White House aide on foreign policy and national security, who runs the National Security Council staff and coordinates the agencies
President of the United States
The office itself: who can hold it, how it is filled, what it pays, and how it ends
Secretary of Defense
The civilian head of the Pentagon, second only to the President in the military chain of command
Secretary of State
The senior cabinet officer, the President's chief diplomat, and fourth in line to the presidency
Secretary of the Treasury
The government's chief financial officer, whose signature appears on every dollar bill
Solicitor General of the United States
The Justice Department official who represents the federal government before the Supreme Court and decides which cases the government appeals
Surgeon General of the United States
The nation's leading spokesperson on public health, who issues reports and advisories and commands the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
The First Lady
The unofficial but highly visible role of the President's spouse, who serves as White House host, champions public causes, and leads a staff in the Office of the First Lady
U.S. Ambassadors
The President's personal representatives abroad, nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, who lead U.S. embassies and missions to international organizations
United States Trade Representative
The cabinet-level official, with the rank of ambassador, who leads U.S. trade negotiations and enforces trade agreements on the President's behalf
Vice President of the United States
The role itself: qualifications, election, duties, and the path from second place to the presidency
White House Chief of Staff
The President's top aide and gatekeeper, often called the second most powerful job in Washington
White House Counsel
The President's chief in-house lawyer, who advises on the legal powers and limits of the presidency and represents the office, not the President personally
White House Press Secretary
The President's chief spokesperson, who briefs reporters, answers questions on the administration's behalf, and manages the White House press operation