Final answer:
The Attorney General is the top officer of the U.S. Department of Justice and is the chief law enforcement officer and attorney for the U.S. government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The head of the U.S. Department of Justice and the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government is the Attorney General. Unlike other departments, the Department of Justice is led by the Attorney General rather than a secretary. The Attorney General's core responsibilities align with the department's mission to enforce the law, ensure public safety, prevent crime, punish unlawful behavior, and administer justice fairly. The Attorney General oversees a number of bureaus and divisions within the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), all crucial in upholding the law and public order at a federal level.