The federal government is the national government of a country, responsible for making and enforcing laws that apply to the entire nation. It typically consists of three branches: the executive, led by the President, the legislative, which includes the Congress, and the judicial, represented by the Supreme Court. Each branch has distinct powers and responsibilities to ensure a system of checks and balances. In the United States, the federal government operates under the Constitution, which outlines its structure and functions. It manages various national issues, including defense, foreign policy, and immigration, while also providing services like Social Security and public education.