Final answer:
The President nominates federal judges based on the advice of the Senate and practices like senatorial courtesy. The ideology of the President often influences these lifetime appointments, underscored by recent nominations by Presidents Obama and Trump.
Step-by-step explanation:
For most Federal judge nominations, the President bases his decision on the advice of the Senate, as well as consultations with certain influential figures. When a federal judgeship vacancy occurs, the President will choose a nominee who reflects his or her own ideological stance and must seek the 'advice and consent' of the Senate for confirmation. The process includes consulting with senators, particularly those from the nominee's home state and of the same party affiliation, a custom referred to as senatorial courtesy. The Senate Judiciary Committee plays a pivotal role in discussing and debating the nominee's qualifications and viewpoints, especially on controversial issues.
The president may also consider recommendations from professional organizations like the American Bar Association. Nominations for high-profile positions, such as Supreme Court justices, often involve public hearings to scrutinize the nominees' beliefs. Ultimately, confirmed nominees are appointed for life, significantly extending a president's ideological influence through the judiciary. Recent Presidents like Obama and Trump have nominated judges whose rulings aligned with their respective political ideologies, demonstrating the impact of these lifetime appointments on U.S. law and society.