United States government

The United States government was the governing body of the United States of America, a federal republic before the Great War. 
Its structure has inspired or was used as pattern by other factions, like the New California Republic and the Enclave.
==Background==
===Pre-War===
Before the War, the Enclave served as a shadow government within the legal federal government of the United States. Members of the Enclave were military hardliners who both embraced the idea of a nuclear war to rid the world of Communist influence and knew that the common man could not survive it. Its members acted as lobbyists for major American corporations like Vault-Tec Corporation, General Atomics International and RobCo Industries. They believed that as long as the "important people" of the United States survived, they could regroup quickly and build a better world without the threat posed by China or anyone else to the American way of life. 
In March 2077, the Enclave and last president established itself on the Poseidon Energy oil-drilling platform known as Control Station ENCLAVE, situated off the coast of San Francisco.Fallout Bible 0: "2077 March Prepared for a nuclear or biological attack from China, the president and the Enclave retreats to remote sections around the globe and make contingency plans for continuing the war." This location was discovered by the Boston-based newspaper Boston Bugle.Boston Bugle building terminal entries; Boston Bugle article terminal, Article 4 In the event of a nuclear war, this was intended to ensure the continuity of the U.S. government's leadership.
===Post-War===
While the Enclave started to claim to be the continuation of the United States government, their idea of continuity of government was a violent coup; any non-Enclave personnel who took shelter in government bunkers were apprehended and executed without trial.Whitespring surveillance recordings, 1.1.2 Immediately after the War, attempts to pass as the US government succeeded at times, as with Colonel Ellen Santiago, but failed with other veterans, eg. Captain Oliver Fields.A Vault Dweller: "I'm a member of the Enclave. We ARE the government."Oliver Fields: " "Thompson: ""(Oliver Fields and Thompson's dialogue)
Eventually, the Enclave came to be seen as just one of many power groups trying to impose their will on post-War America,Matthew: "{125}{}{Several months ago we came across a group known as the Enclave. Much to our surprise their level of technology surpassed even our own. We found this quite disturbing and considered contacting them. However, we decided on a more cautious course of action until we could determine exactly who the Enclave was, and the underlying purpose of their organization.}"(FCFMATT.MSG) and Enclave presidents merely "so-called".The Chosen One: "{223}{}{What happened to Matt?}"ACE: "{224}{}{Loading sequence...}"Matthew: "{227}{}{You and your so-called President will not succeed.}"Frank Horrigan: "{228}{}{Is that so?}"Matthew: "{229}{}{The Chosen One has come, and he will rid the world of your evil.}"Frank Horrigan: "{230}{}{I care nothing for your pathetic prophecies. Worse, you have become a nusiance through your meddling. That ends today!}"Matthew: "{231}{}{Killing me will stop nothing.}"Frank Horrigan: "{232}{}{That may be, but seeing your body rotting on the ground will bring a smile to my face.}"(ACE's information) By 2277, there was no U.S. government presence at federal government buildings such as the Pentagon and the Capitol Building, as the Capital Wasteland had no central political authority or law enforcement mechanism.
==Executive branch==
In the years prior to the Great War, the executive branch was headed by the last President of the United States, who worked with his cabinet. It included multiple departments and agencies with the intended goal of executing the laws of the country.
===Known departments===
Image	Name 	Head 	Role
- 	Department of Agriculture 	Thomas Eckhart 	The executive department of US government officially responsible for managing and regulating agriculture.
 	United States Forest Service 	 	The government agency under the Department of Agriculture tasked with managing America's national forests.
- 	Department of Antiquities 	 	An executive department of US government of an unknown purpose.
- 	Department of Commerce 	Secretary of CommerceThe Whitespring bunker terminal entries; archival terminal, Cabinet Nuclear Alarm Logs 	The executive department of US government responsible for managing economic growth
- 	Bureau of the CensusCensus taker: "You may send complaints with this use of force to the Census Bureau's department of Citizen Complaint and Oversight."(Census taker's dialogue) 	 	The government agency under the Department of Commerce tasked with producing data about the US population and economy.
- 	Department of Defense 	Secretary of Defense 	The executive department of US government responsible for national defense.
- 	War Relocation Authority 	 	Responsible for rounding up anyone anyone they believed posed a threat to national security, namely those of Chinese ancestry, and isolating them from the rest of the population. Chinese-Americans across the country were forced out of their homes and placed in concentration camps.Internment orders
 	United States Department of the Army 	Secretary of the ArmyTibbets Prison design documents, page 7: "On 5 April 2040, the Secretary of the Army made the decision to build a new Disciplinary Barracks, with a capacity for 456 inmates. A cost ceiling of $363 million in allocated construction dollars was set. The target budget year for funding this project was fiscal year 2041. Construction began in the Fall of 2042, with completion projected for the Fall of the year 2045."	Oversaw and managed the entire United States Army.War game orders
- 	Joint Chiefs of Staff 	 	A pre-War advisory board to the President and Secretary of Defense, made up of the top military leaders of the nation.
- 	Reclamation and Restoration Division 	 	Responsible for the rehabilitation of old military sites, or defunct sources of materiel and supplies vital to the war effort.Sign seen at Black Mountain Ordnance Works
 	Defense Intelligence Agency 	 	Responsible for monitoring the threat of various foreign and domestic powers. They maintained an extensive intelligence network abroad and on the domestic front, comprised of human intelligence, signals intelligence, data processing and more.The Switchboard terminal entries; terminal, Hindu Kush Report
- 	Strategic Air Command 	 	A specified command of the Defense Department, responsible for maintaining the United States' nuclear stockpile.
 	Department of Energy 	 	The executive department of US government responsible for managing the country's energy, particularly nuclear.
- 	Department of the Interior 	Secretary of the Interior 	The executive department of US government responsible for managing the country's land and resources.
 	Bureau of ReclamationHoover Dam map in-game versionHoover Dam map real world versionBureau crest on Hoover Dam pamphlet 	 	The government agency under the Department of Interior tasked with managing the country's water resources.
 	National Park Service 	 	The government agency under the Department of Interior tasked with managing the country's national parks.
- 	United States Geological Survey 	Director of the USGSSurvey marker 	The government agency under the Department of Interior tasked with studying the country's lands and natural resources and assessing natural threats.
- 	Department of Justice 	Attorney General 	The executive department of US government responsible for enforcing federal law and administration of justice.
- 	Bureau of Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Firearms and Lasers 	 	The government agency under the Department of Justice tasked with regulating weapons and controlled substances in the country, as well as enforcing them.
 	Federal Bureau of Investigation 	 	The government agency under the Department of Justice serving as the nation's principle federal law enforcement agency.
- 	Federal Bureau of PrisonsTibbets Prison design documents, page 7: "In designing this facility we are applying state of the art design and equipment, as it exists today, borrowing heavily from the experiences that the Federal Bureau of Prisons and several state prison systems encountered when designing and building prisons."	 	The government agency under the Department of Justice responsible for the US citizenry incarcerated for federal crimes.
- 	Department of Labor 	 	The executive department of US government responsible for managing laws regarding employment.
- 	Department of State 	Secretary of StateIn-game wanted posterReal world wanted version, which is more legible 	The executive department of US government responsible for managing foreign relations.
 	Department of the Treasury 	Secretary of the Treasury 	The executive department of US government responsible for managing the US national treasury and finances.
 	Secret Service 	 	The government agency under the Department of the Treasury responsible for managing the nation's currency and protecting its leaders.
- 	Internal Revenue Service 	 	The government agency under the Department of the Treasury responsible for collecting taxes and administering federal tax codes.
- 	Department of War 	Secretary of War 	An executive department of US government which held some responsibility over the army
 	Post Office Department 	 	The executive department of US government responsible managing the country's postal services.
====Known agencies====
* The Atomic Energy Commission is mentioned in the song Uranium Fever, which plays on Diamond City Radio. The agency still existed in the year 2241 on the Enclave Oil Rig.Power plant operations
* The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted federal law enforcement,Shanghai Sally: Berkeley Springs in addition to confiscating and marking seditious books and magazines for burning.Patriot's Cookbook
* The Food and Drug Administration, responsible for food and drug safety standards.
* The Bureau of Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Firearms and Lasers regulated alcohol, drugs, tobacco, firearms and laser weaponry.
* The Secret Service protected the president before the Great War and were assigned to Vault 79 to protect the nation's newly-moved gold reserve. A branch of the Enclave, also bearing the Secret Service name, was present on the Enclave Oil Rig in 2241. 
* Other independent federal agencies included the United States Space Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission,H&H Tools Factory terminal entries; Alan Dalton's terminal, E-mail from Jenny DeSoto and the National Archives and Records Administration.
* The Environmental Protection Agency is mentioned in the Sierra mission statement. A local facility was also supposed to appear, but was cut from Fallout 2.
* Some agencies with uncertain subordination include the Federal Fitness Registry, Civil Defense Administration and the National Catastrophe Relief Auxiliary. The "Department of Water and Power" dispelled rumors about water contamination in the event of a nuclear war, though it is unclear if this was part of the executive branch.Vault locations v34.129
* Mentioned only in the canceled Van Buren, the Unamerican Activities Force was also active in finding communists within America.Van Buren HERMES armor screenshot
* According to the Van Buren tech demo plot, the federal government could exercise only limited power over the units of the U.S. Army. According to their names, at least some Armored Infantry Divisions actually belonged to the American commonwealths rather than the federal government, a situation similar to that of the state volunteer regiments raised by the states and placed into federal service during the American Civil War.Armstrong: "You see Corporal Armstrong of the Great Midwest Commonwealth 13th Armored Infantry Division."(Armstrong's dialogue)
==Judicial branch==
* The Supreme Court is mentioned in a terminal entry in the National Archives.National Archives terminal entries; JWILS002 John Wilson, Unit Directives
* According to design documents from the canceled Van Buren, federal courts were closely connected to the penitentiary system of the United States. One such penitentiary, Tibbets Prison, was "committed to carrying out the judgments" of the federal courts.Tibbets Prison design documents, page 7: "The United States Penitentiary (USP), Tibbets is located on 1,583 square acres with 22.8 inside the penitentiary walls. It is an all-male high security level facility committed to carrying out the judgments of the Federal Courts. It provides a safe, secure and humane environment for those offenders committed to its custody. Like all Bureau facilities, Tibbets adheres to a balanced philosophy that recognizes that punishment, deterrence, and incapacitation are all valid purposes of confinement. Opportunities for positive change are provided through work, education, training, and counseling for inmates motivated toward self-improvement."
==Legislative branch==
* On February 15, 2075, both the House of Representatives and the Senate voted unanimously to impeach the president for jaywalking. However, this information is from the Sierra Depot GNN transcript, which is an unreliable source.See Sierra Depot GNN transcript for more details
* The complete books of the Library of Congress were packed in the G.E.C.K.
* Congress was responsible for the affairs of the District of Columbia, including the District of Columbia Transit Authority.Robot repair center terminal entries; Sector A emergency terminal, Note from Management regarding Sector B
* General Accounting Office: the audit, evaluation and investigative firm of Congress.
==Known government members==
===Executive branch===
* Last President of the United States
* Last Cabinet of the United States
** Thomas Eckhart, Secretary of Agriculture
** Last Secretary of the Treasury
** Last Secretary of the Interior
** Last Secretary of Defense
* Warren Eccleston, White House spokesman
* Ransette, Department of Defense employee
* Robert, federal agency official
===Legislative branch===
* Last Speaker of the House of RepresentativesWhitespring surveillance recording 1.1.2
* Former senator Sam Blackwell of the Appalachian TerritoriesThe Sam Blackwell interviewSam Blackwell: "No" on Measure 6Senate orientation letter
* Senator BurkCharleston Capitol Building terminal entries; Senator Blackwell's terminal, Appointments
* Senator CalvertSt. Aubin medical facility terminal entries; terminal, To: Doctor Stewart
** Two other unnamed Calvert family senatorsDesmond Lockheart: "HIM! I should have known. My old rival... so close to his family home. Only he would be so stupid. He was once a man -- Professor Calvert. The Calverts owned half of Maryland, back when there was a Maryland to own. Members of the Calvert family were influential all over the world. They practically owned a deed to the US government. In their best days, there were no less than three Calvert family senators, seven members of the house, and two governors. They even had a top candiate for president, until that scandal with the dog forced him to drop out of the race. I was particularly proud of that one."(Desmond Lockheart's dialogue)
* Senator ClarkCommittee meeting notes
* Senator Jon McDougallCharleston Capitol Building terminal entries; Senator Blackwell's terminal, Energy Meeting
* Senator Jody SorresetDepartment of Ag projects
* Senator DeSotoCabot House terminal entries; terminal, 02/12/1968
* Unnamed dead senator in the Capitol Building presidential sub level.The Lone Wanderer: "I'm a United States senator. Here's my identification."MARGOT: "Identity verified. Welcome. How may I assist you today?"(M.A.R.Go.T.'s dialogue)
* Unnamed senator, captured by Mothership ZetaAlien captive recorded log 15
* Seven unnamed Calverts in the House of Representatives
* Senator Todd PetersonMaxson bunker design documents, page 3: "In the year 2067, Senator Todd Peterson decided to build a secret bunker to house himself and his family should war break out. Senator Peterson was a wealthy man in his own right, but lacked the funds necessary for such a project. Through secret dealings with Poseidon Oil and a covert branch of the government known as the Enclave, the final funding for the project was attained. A construction sight was chosen in southern Colorado and work began."
==Behind the scenes==
* The Food and Drug Administration is mentioned in Boston Bugle Volume 12, a promotional item that came with the Pip-Boy 2000 Mk VI FM radio module.Pip-Boy 2000 Mk VI FM radio moduleBoston Bugle Volume 12, no. 748: "Although in FDA tests the drink appears to be non-toxic, it does cause the drinker’s urine to glow for a week after consumption." It is also mentioned in the Fallout TV series promotion Fallout - A Special LIVE Report from Galaxy News.Fallout - A Special LIVE Report from Galaxy News: "NUKA-COLA QUANTUM GETS FDA APPROVAL, FOUND TO CONTAIN "HEALTHY AMOUNT OF RADIATION""
* Daniel Bird's quote regarding NASA is simply a verbatim reference to a quote by real world former Vice President Dan Quayle. Since Fallout 3, the analog of NASA is the USSA.
==References==
Non-game
Non-canon
Category:Enclave
Category:United States
fr:Gouvernement fédéral
zh:联邦政府