Under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the president is given the authority to nominate federal judges to district courts, courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court by and with the consent of the Senate. In the American system of checks and balances, this provides the Senate with a check on presidential power, and both the president and Senate have a check on the courts.

All federal judgeships carry a lifetime tenure (with good behavior), making judicial appointments critical resources and important decisions for presidents. While presidents serve 4 to 8 years in the White House, their appointed judges and justices can serve for decades and continue their influence well beyond the terms of their presidencies. Over time, filling vacancies on the federal courts allows the ...