There were no Supreme Court justices when President Washington took office. Washington became the first President under the US Constitution on April 30, 1789; the Supreme Court was established under the Judiciary Act of 1789. The first six justices were appointed on September 26, 1789 (one declined the appointment and was replaced by James Iredell in 1790).
in the US Supreme Court, life
The Supreme Court Justices serve for life.
The number of Supreme Court Justices a President appoints equals the number who resign or die during his/her presidency (unless his/her presidency ends before he/she has the opportunity to appoint a replacement).
George Washington was the first President under the new US Constitution. He assumed office on March 4, 1789. The US Supreme Court was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, and Washington nominated the first six justices in September of that year.
by walking out of a magical door or coffee break
They hold office until they either die or retire.
Some state supreme court justices may serve an eight-year term, but US Supreme Court justices hold office "during good behavior," meaning for life unless they are impeached, or choose to retire or resign.
The Supreme Court is the head of the Judicial Branch. Therefore, the Supreme Court Justices hold the "highest office" in that branch.
They are appointed for life, or until they retire.
The Justices of the US Supreme Court have lifetime appointments.
The Constitution states that Justices "shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour." This means that the Justices hold office as long as they choose and can only be removed from office by impeachment. Source: The Supreme Court website.
Supreme Court justices have lifetime appointments--most of them retire, but they can stay on the bench until they die like William Rehnquist did. They can be impeached, but that's the only way to get rid of one. The only justice to have ever been impeached was Samuel Chase, who was acquitted. Samuel Chase was nominated to the Court by George Washington.