The U.S. federal government is the national government of the United States, established by the U.S. Constitution. It consists of three branches: the Legislative, which makes laws; the Executive, which enforces laws; and the Judicial, which interprets laws. Each branch has distinct powers and responsibilities to ensure a system of checks and balances. The federal government is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and is responsible for national issues such as defense, foreign policy, and immigration. It also regulates interstate commerce and manages federal programs, impacting the lives of citizens across the country.