Breyer Says White House Could Shape Supreme Court Retirements as Trust Nears 50-Year Low
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jul 1
Breyer Says White House Could Shape Supreme Court Retirements as Trust Nears 50-Year Low
1 articles · Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jul 1
Summary
Stephen Breyer said in a June 29 podcast interview that the White House occupant could factor into a justice’s retirement decision, though he described leaving the court as a personal choice shaped by family, age and future plans.
Breyer retired in 2022 at nearly 83 under President Joe Biden, who replaced him with Ketanji Brown Jackson, after progressive pressure for him to step aside so a Democratic president could name his successor.
No retirement announcement came as the court ended its term, despite speculation that Samuel Alito might leave before midterm elections that could jeopardize Republicans’ Senate control.
Breyer also pushed back on claims the court is driven by politics even as public trust sits near Gallup’s 50-year low, warning the bigger long-run risk is Americans disengaging from the institution.