June 21, 1788constitutionaljudicial independenceconstitutional lawSenate confirmationfoundational lawconstitutional provision
Article III of U.S. Constitution ratified, establishing judicial independence through life tenure
The U.S. Constitution is ratified with Article III providing that federal judges shall hold their offices during good behavior, granting federal judges life tenure unless they voluntarily resign or are impeached and convicted. This provision insulates the judiciary from shifts in public consensus and political pressure. (Senate.gov, May 2, 2026)