Civics question 45 of 128
Who appoints federal judges?
Official answer
- The President (of the United States)
Source: official USCIS question list for the 2025 version of the civics test. This site is independent and not affiliated with USCIS.
Background
The President of the United States appoints federal judges. The power is shared: the president nominates and the Senate confirms by majority vote, so neither branch fills the courts alone. Once seated, judges of the Supreme Court, the courts of appeals, and the district courts hold office during good behavior, which in practice means for life, and their salaries cannot be reduced. That combination is what makes the judiciary independent of the administration that nominated it and of the Senate that confirmed it. Removal requires impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate, which has succeeded only a handful of times. Some judges, including bankruptcy and magistrate judges, are instead chosen by other courts for fixed terms, which is why the question is framed around federal judges generally.
This background section is written by US Citizenship Test Practice to explain the civics fact. It is not part of the USCIS question list, and the official answer above is the one to give at the interview.
Where this question sits
It is part of System of Government, inside the American Government section of the test.
Related questions
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- 16. Name the three branches of government.
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- 18. What part of the federal government writes laws?
- 19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
- 20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.