The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the federal executive agency responsible for enforcing federal laws. The DOJ operates with the mission "to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights," according to the agency’s website.
The DOJ is headquartered in the Robert F. Kennedy Building in Washington, D.C. The Attorney General, who is a part of the president’s cabinet, is responsible for leading the DOJ.
President Donald Trump appointed Pam Bondi as attorney general. The Florida native was sworn into the role on Feb. 5, 2025, after being approved by the Senate.
The DOJ was started in 1870 by Congress. Today, there are more than 40 organizations that fall under the DOJ, with more than 115,000 employees as part of the agency, according to the DOJ website.
