Since when have U.S. Presidents had 93 Attorneys working for them? -Is it in the U.S. Constitution?

Question

I've tried briefly finding something about this, to no avail.

I want to know if this is some half-baked add-on from a more recent administration, or if our Forefathers drafted this into our Constitution.

It sounds like pristine Pork Barrel to me, regardless of who is President.

NO partisan blabber here - Stay on the specific topic, please!

Answer 1

Coragryph is exactly right, but it was the Judiciary Act that created the Attorney General, and subsequent U.S. Attorneys.

And the President has many MANY more than 93 attorneys "working for him." There are thousands of Assistant and Special Assitant U.S. Attorneys working both throughout the country and in "Main Justice" in Washington D.C.
Of course these people don't work "for the president." They're the attorneys for the United States. They prosecute crimes, start civil actions for violations of environmental, employment, tax, and other federal law, and defend the government against lawsuits brought by citizens. They handle thousands upon thousands of legal matters every year (just like your local DA, prosecutors, state attorneys generals and the like). The president has his own personal counsel, and there are lawyers who work with the White House to advise him on whether actions are legal, but those are separate from the 93 US Attorneys and the thousands of "line attorneys" employed by the Federal Government. The AUSA and SAUSA positions are not political -- that is, you're generally not fired without cause when one administration turns over to another.

Does that make more sense? In short, the US Attorneys are not guys following the President around all day; they're the leaders of the field offices that represent the United States in civil and criminal matters throughout the country.

Answer 2

Yes, it actually is in the Constitution.

Article III authorizes Congress to create lesser federal courts.

These courts were created in all states, with larger states having more than one. These are the 93 federal districts.

And Article I authorizes Congress to pass laws.

To prosecute those who violate federal laws, you obviously need federal prosecutors. And the US Attorneys are the senior federal prosecutor for each federal district.

And Article II authorizes the Executive branch to appoint federal officers, including these federal prosecutors, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Answer 3

I would guess with today's view of political correctness you need all the lawyers you can get when your sitting in the big chair.

Answer 4

i could tell you , but it would have to be in private , not under oath , and without transcripts . sound familiar ?