The US television channels NBC and CNN reported on Wednesday, citing those close to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, that the 83-year-old had decided to retire. This would give US President Joe Biden the opportunity to fill one of the nine most influential seats on the country’s highest court. During the election campaign, Biden had promised to nominate a black woman as a judge on the Supreme Court for the first time in US history in the event of a vacancy.
CNN reported that a public announcement could be expected as early as Thursday – along with Biden. The White House responded immediately to the reports. 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. The White House has no further details or information.
With its decisions on particularly controversial issues such as abortion, immigration or same-sex marriages, the US Supreme Court repeatedly sets the course for American society. The nine judges are appointed for life. Their selection is 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. (SDA)