Government and Politics

Government and Politics of American Samoa

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of American Samoa.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
Legal System: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: see United States Note: in accordance with US Code Title 8, Section 1408, persons born in American Samoa are US nationals but not US citizens
Executive Branch: chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP of the US (since 20 January 2025) and Vice President JD VANCE (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor Lemanu Peleti MAUGA (since 3 January 2021) cabinet: Cabinet made up of department directors appointed by the governor elections: Under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories such as American Samoa do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held on 5 and 19 November 2024 (next to be held in November 2028) election results: Lemanu Peleti MAUGA reelected governor in 2024; percent of vote - Lemanu Peleti MAUGA 54.0%, Aliimalemanu Fonoti FALEOLO 46.0%
Legislative Branch: Bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (18 seats; members are elected by local chiefs and serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (21 seats — 20 members elected by popular vote and 1 nonvoting delegate appointed from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms). Elections: House of Representatives — last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024); Senate — last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026). Election results: House of Representatives — percent of vote by party — NA; seats by party — independents 20; Senate — percent of vote by party — NA; seats by party — independents 18. Note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives. The most recent election was held on 8 November 2022, with Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican) reelected to serve as the territory's delegate to the US Congress.
Judicial Branch: High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
Political Parties: Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]
Head of State: President Donald J. TRUMP of the US and Vice President JD VANCE
Head of Government: Governor Lemanu Peleti MAUGA
Cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors
Elections: House of Representatives — last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2024); Senate — last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026).
Election Results: House of Representatives — percent of vote by party — NA; seats by party — independents 20; Senate — percent of vote by party — NA; seats by party — independents 18. Note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives. The most recent election was held on 8 November 2022, with Amata Coleman Radewagen (Republican) reelected to serve as the territory's delegate to the US Congress.
Constitution: ratified 1966, in effect 1967
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National Holiday: Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
International Organization Participation: Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (territory of the US)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (territory of the US)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Pago Pago (pronounced pahn-go pahn-go)
Location: 14 16 S, 170 42 W
Time Difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: is blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club. The eagle present on the flag represents the nation's relationship with the United States. The eagle holds traditional symbols of power among Samoan chiefs in its claws. The fue, or fly switch, the Samoan chief's attribute and symbol of wisdom, and a nifo oti. a Samoan dancing knife.
Date of Adoption: 24 Apr 1960

National Anthem

Anthem Lyrics: Amerika Samoa Lo’u Atunu’u pele ‘oe Oute tiu I lou igoa O ‘oe o lo’u fa’amoemoe O ‘oe ole Penina ole Pasefika E mo’omia e motu e lima E ua ta’uta’ua au aga I fanua Ma ou tala mai anamua Tutuila ma Manu’a Ala mai ia tu I luga Tautua ma punou I lou Malo Ia manuia ia ulu ola Amerika Samoa Ole Malo ole sa’olotoga Tautua ma punou I lou Malo Ia manuia ia ulu ola Amerika Samoa Ole Malo ole sa’olotoga Soifua ma ia manuia, Teine Samoa Tautua ma punou I lou Malo Ia manuia ia ulu ola Amerika Samoa Ole Malo ole sa’olotoga Soifua ma ia manuia, Teine Samoa
Anthem History: American Samoa is like other American territories (and states) in that the official anthem is the one of the parent country (the United States), but there is an official territorial anthem as well, entitled "Amerika Samoa". The words are by Mariota Tiumalu Tuiasosopo It has been in use since 1950 The music is by Napoleon Andrew Tuiteleleapaga

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