Which branch of government is responsible for appointing Supreme Court justices?

The branch of government responsible for appointing Supreme Court justices is the Executive branch. This branch is headed by the President of the United States, who has the authority to nominate individuals to fill vacancies on the Supreme Court. Once the President makes a nomination, it is then sent to the Senate, which must confirm the appointment through a voting process. This system reflects the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. Constitution, as it ensures that no single branch has unchecked power over the judiciary.

The other branches—Legislative and Judicial—play different roles in the governance of the country. The Legislative branch, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is responsible for making laws. The Judicial branch, which includes the Supreme Court itself, interprets those laws and applies them to individual cases. The Military is not a separate branch in terms of the appointment of justices; it operates under the authority of the Executive branch and is not involved in the judicial appointment process. This distinction emphasizes how appointments are firmly within the Executive's purview, aligning with the constitutional framework established by the founders.