The judicial branch of the United States plays a pivotal role in interpreting laws and evaluating executive and legislative actions. One of the critical questions that arise within this context is the ability of the Supreme Court to operate independently of the executive branch, particularly in matters related to judicial appointments. Judicial appointments are often influenced by the political climate and the balance of power between the branches of government. In this scenario, consider the following question regarding the impact of judicial appointments on the independence of the judiciary.