What was already in place when Washington took office?

When George Washington took office in 1789, the United States had a functioning federal government established by the Constitution, which had been ratified by the states. The Executive Departments, such as the Department of State and the Department of Treasury, were created to help manage the new government. Additionally, the Bill of Rights was in the process of being drafted, reflecting a commitment to protecting individual liberties. However, the nation faced significant challenges, including economic instability and political factionalism.