Fact Check: "Supreme Court justices serve lifetime appointments unless they resign or are impeached."
What We Know
The claim that Supreme Court justices serve lifetime appointments unless they resign or are impeached is rooted in the U.S. Constitution. Article III, Section 1 states, "The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour." This has been interpreted to mean that justices can serve for life unless they choose to resign, retire, or are removed through impeachment (U.S. Constitution, Article III, Section 1).
Historically, only a few justices have been impeached, and even fewer have been removed from office. For instance, Justice Samuel Chase was impeached in 1804 but acquitted by the Senate and thus remained in office (National Archives). This reinforces the notion that while lifetime appointments are a constitutional provision, the practical application of impeachment is rare.
Analysis
The claim is fundamentally accurate as it reflects the constitutional framework governing the tenure of Supreme Court justices. The Constitution does not specify a term limit, which has led to the common understanding that justices serve for life, barring resignation or impeachment. However, the phrase "during good Behaviour" introduces a level of subjectivity, as it could theoretically allow for removal under various circumstances, although this has not been the case in practice.
The reliability of the sources supporting this claim is high, given that they are based on constitutional law and historical precedent. The National Archives, for instance, is a credible source for historical documentation regarding the impeachment of justices (National Archives). However, it is important to note that while the claim is accurate, it lacks nuance regarding the conditions under which a justice might be removed, which are not clearly defined in the Constitution.
Conclusion
Verdict: Unverified
While the claim that Supreme Court justices serve lifetime appointments unless they resign or are impeached is fundamentally accurate according to the Constitution, the practical implications and historical context surrounding this claim warrant a more nuanced understanding. The rarity of impeachment and the subjective nature of "good Behaviour" suggest that while lifetime appointments are the norm, the potential for removal exists, albeit infrequently.
