How are Supreme Court justices selected?

Supreme Court justices are selected through a process in which they are appointed by the President of the United States and must then be confirmed by the Senate. This method ensures that there is a system of checks and balances, as it requires both the executive and legislative branches of government to be involved in the selection of members of the judiciary.

The President uses this power to nominate justices, often considering individuals with significant legal experience and ideological alignment with their own views. After a nomination, the Senate Judiciary Committee typically conducts hearings where they evaluate the nominee's qualifications, conduct, and judicial philosophy. Following the hearings, the full Senate votes to confirm or reject the nominee, requiring a simple majority for confirmation.

This appointment and confirmation process emphasizes the importance of the judiciary and ensures that justices are sufficiently vetted before taking on the critical role of interpreting the law and the Constitution.