2025 civics test · Question 45 · System of Government
Who appoints federal judges?
Official answer
- The President (of the United States)
What this means
The President appoints federal judges.
When there is an opening on a federal court, including the Supreme Court, the president nominates someone to fill it. But the president cannot act alone: the Senate must approve, or confirm, the nomination before the judge takes office.
Because federal judges serve for life, these appointments can shape the courts for decades, which is why both the president and the Senate have a say.
Answer: the President (with the Senate’s approval).
Why this is on the test
This 2025 question shows how the executive and legislative branches both shape the courts, another piece of checks and balances.
How this question is asked
On the 2025 civics test, the officer asks up to 20 of the 128 questions out loud and you pass by answering 12 correctly. You answer in your own words. There is no multiple choice and nothing to write down for the civics portion.
Related questions
More from System of Government.
- 16 Name the three branches of government.
- 17 The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
- 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.
- 21 How many U.S. senators are there?