Who appoints federal judges?

The appointment of federal judges is a power vested in the President of the United States, as outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution. This section explicitly states that the President has the authority to nominate judges for the Supreme Court and all inferior courts, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. This process is designed to ensure a system of checks and balances, whereby the executive branch nominates judges, but the legislative branch has the power to confirm or reject those nominations.

Understanding this helps clarify the role of the President in shaping the judiciary and the careful consideration that goes into judicial appointments. The choices that involve a Governor, the Presidential Cabinet, or the Chief Justice do not have any constitutional basis for appointing federal judges, highlighting the significance of the President's role in maintaining the independence and integrity of the judicial system.