Final answer:
The President appoints Supreme Court justices to serve lifetime terms, reflecting the intent of the U.S. Constitution to allow justices to work without fear of political retribution, thereby shaping the judiciary for decades.
Step-by-step explanation:
The President of the United States is responsible for nominating Supreme Court justices, and these justices serve for lifetime terms once confirmed by the Senate. This lifetime appointment means they serve indefinitely, until they choose to retire, pass away, or are impeached. Such appointments allow a president to have a long-lasting impact on the judiciary system, reflecting their own ideological positions through the justices they appoint.
As seen in historical context, these appointments have been crucial for shaping the legal landscape of the nation. For instance, President George W. Bush appointed Samuel Alito in 2006, and President Donald Trump made three appointments during his term: Neil Gorsuch in 2017, Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, and Amy Coney Barrett in 2020. These justices' rulings often mirror the ideological leanings of the appointing president and can endure for decades, influencing a myriad of pivotal legal decisions.