In the context of the United States government, who is considered to be part of the judicial branch of government?

Introduction / Context:
The United States Constitution separates the powers of the federal government into three branches: the legislative, the executive and the judicial. Each branch has its own distinct role in order to prevent the concentration of power. This question focuses on the judicial branch, which interprets laws and ensures that they are applied fairly and in accordance with the Constitution. Understanding who belongs to the judicial branch is a basic but very important part of civics and political science.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the judicial branch of the United States federal government.
• We assume the standard separation of powers into legislative, executive and judicial branches.
• We are concerned with official positions that exercise judicial power at the federal level.
• The options mention different offices such as the President, Congress, judges and state level officials.

Concept / Approach:
In the United States system, the legislative branch is made up of Congress, the executive branch is headed by the President and the judicial branch is made up of courts and judges. The highest court is the Supreme Court, and below it are various federal courts such as courts of appeals and district courts. Judges who sit in these courts are part of the judicial branch. The President, Vice President, governors and legislators are not members of the judicial branch, even though they may sometimes have roles in appointing judges or approving nominations. Therefore, the correct option must clearly identify judges in the court system.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets laws. Step 2: Recognise that the judicial branch consists of courts and judges, including the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. Step 3: Examine option C, which mentions judges of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. This matches the definition of the judicial branch. Step 4: Option A lists the President and Vice President, who are part of the executive branch, not the judicial branch. Step 5: Option B mentions members of Congress in the Senate and House, who belong to the legislative branch. Step 6: Option D describes state governors and their cabinets, which are part of state level executive branches, not the federal judicial branch. Step 7: Therefore, option C is the only correct answer that fits the definition of the judicial branch.

Verification / Alternative check:
A simple way to verify the answer is to think of famous Supreme Court cases. When a major case is decided, news reports say that the Supreme Court issued a ruling and that the justices voted for or against a position. These justices are clearly described as part of the judicial branch. By contrast, when laws are passed, it is Congress that acts, and when policies or executive orders are issued, it is the President who acts. Textbooks and diagrams of the United States government consistently place the Supreme Court and other federal courts under the heading judicial branch, which confirms that judges are the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A is wrong because the President and Vice President lead the executive branch, which carries out laws instead of interpreting them in court proceedings.
Option B is wrong because members of the Senate and House of Representatives together form Congress, which is the legislative branch responsible for making federal laws.
Option D is wrong because state governors and their cabinets belong to state executive governments and do not form part of the federal judicial branch.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse the branches because high profile political leaders are in the news more often than judges. For example, some may assume that because the President can nominate judges, the President must be part of the judicial branch. Others may think that courts simply follow what the legislature says and therefore treat judges as part of the law making branch. To avoid these mistakes, it helps to remember a simple association: Congress equals legislative branch, the President equals executive branch and courts and judges equal judicial branch. Keeping this in mind will help you answer many basic civics questions correctly.

Final Answer:
Judges of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.