- According to media reports, Stephen Breyer, US Supreme Court Justice, wants to resign early to make room for a seat on the politically contested Supreme Court to be filled.
- For the first time in his term, US President Joe Biden would have the opportunity to fill one of the nine most influential seats on the court.
Several US media, including the broadcasters NBC and CNN, reported, citing Breyer’s environment, that the 83-year-old had decided to retire.
CNN reports that a public announcement may be expected as early as Thursday – along with Biden. The White House responded immediately to the reports, but without going into detail. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki wrote on Twitter that it has always been the decision of each Supreme Court judge whether and when to retire and how to announce it. That also applies today.
For the time being, there is no official statement from Breyer himself. However, various high-ranking politicians have already reacted to his resignation and thanked him for his services at the US Supreme Court. Biden himself said on the sidelines of an appearance in the White House that he would only comment on the matter once Breyer had made a statement.
With its decisions on particularly controversial issues such as abortion, immigration or same-sex marriages, the US Supreme Court repeatedly sets the course for society. The nine judges are appointed for life. Their selection is therefore a highly competitive political process. Ex-President Donald Trump and his Senate Republicans were able to place three judges on the Supreme Court during Trump’s tenure, which is why six of the nine judges are currently considered conservative.
Breyer – currently the oldest of the nine judges – is attributed to the liberal camp. He appreciates the compromise, is considered a moderate mediator, but leans more to the left. He was once nominated by Democratic President Bill Clinton.
No changes to the balance of power
The replacement of Breyer’s seat under Democratic President Biden will not change the balance of power between conservatives and liberals on the court. But progressive activists had been urging Breyer to step down early to ensure the replacement falls within Biden’s tenure — before Democrats could potentially lose their Senate majority in the fall congressional election.
Legend:
Stephen Breyer is currently the oldest of the nine justices on the Washington Supreme Court. He is considered a moderate mediator and tends to the left.
Reuters / Archive
Justices for the Supreme Court are nominated by the President but appointed by the Senate. There, the Democrats currently only have a wafer-thin majority, which they could lose in the congressional elections in November. So time is of the essence for them.
The Democratic Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, announced that as soon as Biden was nominated, the Judiciary Committee would hold a hearing “immediately” and the entire chamber would review and confirm the personnel at the appropriate pace.