What characterizes the role of federal judges in relation to their office duration?

Federal judges serve for life unless they are impeached, which is a fundamental characteristic of their role as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. This lifetime tenure allows judges to make decisions free from the pressures of political influence, ensuring independence and stability within the judiciary. The provision for impeachment serves as a check and balance, allowing Congress to remove judges for misconduct while maintaining judicial independence by not allowing for arbitrary removal.

The other options highlight inaccuracies regarding the nature of federal judges' terms. Federal judges are not subjected to continuous removal at will, nor do they have fixed terms of 14 years; such fixed terms apply to certain state judges or positions. While there are retirement provisions for federal judges, there is no mandated retirement age of 70 in the Constitution. Instead, federal judges can continue to serve as long as they maintain good behavior. This lifetime appointment underscores the importance of an independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law.