Who has the authority to appoint Supreme Court justices?

The authority to appoint Supreme Court justices is vested in the President of the United States. This power is outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which states that the President nominates judges for the Supreme Court, and these nominations must then be confirmed by the Senate. This system ensures a check and balance between the executive and legislative branches of government, as while the President nominates justices, they cannot fully appoint them without Senate approval.

Understanding this process is crucial to grasping how the judicial branch functions and the importance of the Supreme Court's role in interpreting law and the Constitution. In this context, the President's ability to nominate justices can significantly influence the ideological balance of the Court, shaping judicial decisions for years to come.