Revision as of 19:33, 14 June 2025

United States Government

United States Government
	Federal Government of the United States
Country	United States
Type	Federal constitutional republic
Constitution	U.S. Constitution
Legislature	United States Congress
Upper house	United States Senate
Lower house	United States House of Representatives
Executive	President of the United States
Judiciary	Supreme Court of the United States
Established	March 4, 1789
President	Donald Trump
Vice President	TBD
Website	[USA.gov USA.gov]

The United States Government is a federal constitutional republic that governs the United States, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories. It is founded on the principles of democracy, checks and balances, and the separation of powers.

Structure

The federal government is divided into **three branches**, each with separate powers and responsibilities:

1. Executive Branch

Headed by the **President of the United States**
Enforces federal laws, oversees the military, and leads foreign policy
Includes the **Vice President**, the **Cabinet**, and various federal agencies (e.g., Department of State, Department of Defense, FBI)
Current President (2025): Donald Trump

2. Legislative Branch

Composed of the **United States Congress**
Makes federal laws, controls federal spending, and declares war
Bicameral structure:

 - **Senate**: 100 members (2 from each state)
 - **House of Representatives**: 435 members, based on state population

3. Judicial Branch

Interprets the laws and ensures they are consistent with the U.S. Constitution
Led by the **Supreme Court of the United States**
Includes lower federal courts (appellate and district courts)

Constitution

The U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1789, serves as the **supreme law of the land**. It establishes the framework of government and guarantees fundamental rights through the Bill of Rights.

Federalism

The U.S. operates under a **federal system**, meaning power is shared between the **national government** and **state governments**. Each state has its own:

Constitution
Governor
Legislature
Courts

Elections and Voting

Citizens elect the President every four years via the **Electoral College**
Congressional elections are held every two years
State and local elections are managed individually by each state

Political Parties

The U.S. has a **two-party system**:

**Republican Party**
**Democratic Party**

Other minor parties exist but have limited influence at the federal level.

Agencies and Departments

The Executive Branch operates through departments like:

**Department of Defense (DoD)**
**Department of Homeland Security (DHS)**
**Department of Education**
**Department of Justice (DOJ)**
**NASA**, **CIA**, and others

Checks and Balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse:

President can veto laws
Congress can override vetoes and impeach
Courts can declare laws unconstitutional

Fun Facts

The U.S. Constitution is the **oldest written national constitution still in use**
The federal government employs over **2 million civilian workers**
All laws passed by Congress must be signed (or vetoed) by the President

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The '''United States Government''' is a federal constitutional republic made up of 50 states, a federal district, and several territories. Its system is based on democratic principles, the rule of law, and a separation of powers among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
+{{Infobox government
+ | name            = United States Government
+ | native_name     = Federal Government of the United States
+ | type            = Federal constitutional republic
+ | country         = [[United States]]
+ | constitution    = [[U.S. Constitution]]
+ | legislature     = [[United States Congress]]
+ | upperhouse      = [[United States Senate]]
+ | lowerhouse      = [[United States House of Representatives]]
+ | executive       = [[President of the United States]]
+ | judiciary       = [[Supreme Court of the United States]]
+ | established     = March 4, 1789
+ | leader_title1   = President
+ | leader_name1    = [[Donald Trump]]
+ | leader_title2   = Vice President
+ | leader_name2    = TBD
+ | website         = [https://www.usa.gov USA.gov]
+}}
-== Structure of Government ==
+= United States Government =
-=== 1. Legislative Branch ===
+The '''United States Government''' is a federal constitutional republic that governs the [[United States]], including all 50 states, the [[District of Columbia]], and the [[U.S. Territories]]. It is founded on the principles of democracy, checks and balances, and the separation of powers.
-* '''U.S. Congress''' – Makes laws and controls the federal budget.
-* Bicameral:
-  * '''Senate''" – 100 members (2 per state)
-  * '''House of Representatives''' – 435 members (based on population)
-* Meets at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
-=== 2. Executive Branch ===
+== Structure ==
-* Headed by the '''President of the United States''', who also serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
+The federal government is divided into **three branches**, each with separate powers and responsibilities:
-* Includes:
-  * The '''Vice President'''
+=== 1. Executive Branch ===
-  * The '''Cabinet''' (heads of executive departments like Defense, State, and Education)
+* Headed by the **President of the United States**
-  * Numerous federal agencies (e.g., FBI, EPA, NASA)
+* Enforces federal laws, oversees the military, and leads foreign policy
+* Includes the **Vice President**, the **Cabinet**, and various federal agencies (e.g., Department of State, Department of Defense, FBI)
+* Current President (2025): [[Donald Trump]]
+See also: [[President of the United States]]
+=== 2. Legislative Branch ===
+* Composed of the **United States Congress**
+* Makes federal laws, controls federal spending, and declares war
+* Bicameral structure:
+  - **Senate**: 100 members (2 from each state)
+  - **House of Representatives**: 435 members, based on state population
+See also: [[United States Congress]]
 === 3. Judicial Branch ===
-* Interprets laws and ensures they are applied fairly.
+* Interprets the laws and ensures they are consistent with the [[U.S. Constitution]]
-* Headed by the '''Supreme Court''', consisting of nine justices.
+* Led by the **Supreme Court of the United States**
-* Lower federal courts include:
+* Includes lower federal courts (appellate and district courts)
-  * U.S. Courts of Appeals
-  * U.S. District Courts
+See also: [[Supreme Court of the United States]]
-== Federal vs. State Powers ==
+== Constitution ==
+The U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1789, serves as the **supreme law of the land**. It establishes the framework of government and guarantees fundamental rights through the [[Bill of Rights]].
-* The U.S. Constitution grants certain powers to the federal government, such as printing money, declaring war, and regulating interstate commerce.
+== Federalism ==
-* Other powers are reserved for the states, including education policy, local law enforcement, and most aspects of healthcare.
+The U.S. operates under a **federal system**, meaning power is shared between the **national government** and **state governments**. Each state has its own:
+* Constitution
+* Governor
+* Legislature
+* Courts
-== Checks and Balances ==
+== Elections and Voting ==
+* Citizens elect the President every four years via the **Electoral College**
+* Congressional elections are held every two years
+* State and local elections are managed individually by each state
-Each branch of government can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse:
+== Political Parties ==
-* The President can veto laws passed by Congress.
+The U.S. has a **two-party system**:
-* Congress can override vetoes and approve or reject appointments.
+* **Republican Party**
-* Courts can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.
+* **Democratic Party**
-== Elections and Representation ==
+Other minor parties exist but have limited influence at the federal level.
-* Citizens vote for representatives at the local, state, and national levels.
+== Agencies and Departments ==
-* Federal elections occur every two years; presidential elections every four years.
+The Executive Branch operates through departments like:
-* Voting is open to all U.S. citizens aged 18 and older.
+* **Department of Defense (DoD)**
+* **Department of Homeland Security (DHS)**
+* **Department of Education**
+* **Department of Justice (DOJ)**
+* **NASA**, **CIA**, and others
+== Checks and Balances ==
+Each branch can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse:
+* President can veto laws
+* Congress can override vetoes and impeach
+* Courts can declare laws unconstitutional
+== Fun Facts ==
+* The U.S. Constitution is the **oldest written national constitution still in use**
+* The federal government employs over **2 million civilian workers**
+* All laws passed by Congress must be signed (or vetoed) by the President
 == See Also ==
+* [[President of the United States]]
-* [[Presidents of the United States]]
+* [[U.S. Constitution]]
-* [[History of the U.S.]]
+* [[United States Congress]]
-* [[American Democracy]]
+* [[Supreme Court of the United States]]
-* [[U.S. Elections]]
+* [[United States]]
-* [[Constitution of the United States]]
+* [[U.S. Presidents]]

United States Government: Difference between revisions