Congress establishes Department of Justice as executive department

Congress passes legislation establishing the Department of Justice as a cabinet-level executive department, elevating the position of Attorney General and consolidating federal legal authority. Prior to 1870, the Attorney General was a part-time, independent constitutional officer without a department. The legislation creates the Solicitor General position to assist the Attorney General, and transfers all federal litigation authority to the new department. The DOJ assumes control over all criminal prosecutions and civil suits involving the United States, consolidating federal law enforcement and establishing the Attorney General as chief law enforcement officer of the Federal Government. This act becomes the foundation for the modern DOJ.