Who can appoint federal judges?

• A. The President has the sole authority to appoint federal judges.
• B. The Senate has sole authority to appoint federal judges.
• C. The President appoints judges, with Senate confirmation.
• D. The Supreme Court appoints federal judges.

Answer: (C)

Federal judges are chosen through a two-step process that involves both the executive and legislative branches. The President has the authority to nominate individuals for federal judgeships. After a nomination is made, the Senate must review and vote to confirm the candidate. A majority vote in the Senate is typically required for confirmation. This setup—nominations by the President followed by Senate confirmation—creates a system of checks and balances, ensuring that a judge is acceptable to both the executive branch and the legislative branch before taking the bench. The President alone does not appoint, and the Senate alone cannot appoint, and the Supreme Court does not appoint judges.