Why did the Framers of the US Constitution provide for life tenure for federal judges?

Answer 1

The Judicial Branch of government is covered in Article III of the U.S. Constitution. Certain judges, such as Supreme Court Judstices, are given life terms in order to insulate them from the politics and influences of being elected.

Answer 2

The Founding Founders wanted the courts to be isolated from political influence, topical social trends (e.g., eugenics in the 1920's and 30's) and passing majority whims (e.g., Irish, Italians and African-Americans were less desirable elements not worthy of legal protections).

The Founders did not come up with a perfect system, but they knew what they didn't want - a judiciary beholding to popular elections, political influence and pressure, and passing societal fancies.

The Founders' problem was how to get around the politics of appointment. After much debate, the Founders concluded there isn't any way to fully remove politics and popular opinion from selection. All any system can do is try to mitigate the "damage" of those influences on judicial appointments.

After much debate, the Founders decided to subject justices to Senate confirmation as a check on blatant political pandering and influence. Lifetime tenure without the possibility of removal, except for a very limited number of circumstances, was also implemented. The Founders theory (and hope) was that once a justice was sworn in, the impossibility of dismissal by political forces (whether legislative or executive) would give the justices freedom to interpret the laws as intended, not according to societal fad, political threat or influence.

The system has generally worked as hoped by the Founders. They gambled on a theory and won. Political influence in justices hasn't been eliminated (Presidents tend to appoint justices that reflect their legal or political philosophies). But, there is ample evidence that any raw political influence and societal preconceptions in judicial decision-making in a newly appointed justice tends to wane over time.

Answer 3

So that they would not, supposedly, be subject to the political pressure, winds of change and opinions- of the-moment.

Answer 4

So that their decisions aren't affected by the possibility of unemployment.

Answer 5

The Constitution declared they should as long as their behavior was good or until their retirement. This is stated in Article III, Section 1.

Answer 6

So that they would not be tempted to put personal issues before their work.