Which judicial power belongs to the president?

• A. Determining the Supreme Court's docket
• B. Nominating federal judges
• C. Establishing the jurisdiction of the federal courts
• D. Determining the constitutionality of judicial acts

Answer: (B)

The president’s power in this area is to nominate federal judges. The Constitution gives the president the authority to nominate and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint judges to the federal courts, including the Supreme Court. This is how the executive branch influences the judiciary while the Senate provides a check and balance. The other options describe powers that belong to other branches or the courts: deciding the Supreme Court’s docket is a Court prerogative; establishing federal court jurisdiction is Congress’s job; and determining the constitutionality of judicial acts is a function of the judiciary itself through judicial review.