Who appoints federal judges?

Federal judges are appointed by the President of the United States. This process is established in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which empowers the President to nominate judges to the federal judiciary, including Supreme Court justices, circuit court judges, and district court judges. After the President selects a nominee, the Senate must then confirm the appointment through a majority vote. This appointment process balances the executive branch's power to select judges with the legislative branch's role in confirmation, ensuring a system of checks and balances within the federal government.

The other options, while they hold significant roles in the judiciary and legal system, do not have the authority to directly appoint federal judges. The Senate plays a crucial role in the confirmation process after the nomination, but it does not initiate the appointment. The Chief Justice and the Attorney General do not have the authority to appoint judges; instead, their roles are more focused on judicial administration and enforcement of law, respectively. Therefore, recognizing that the President holds the power to appoint federal judges is key to understanding the structure and function of the federal judiciary.