Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer joined President Joe Biden at the White House Thursday to formally announce his retirement, kicking off a rush to confirm a new member of the court to replace the oldest serving justice (article available here). Previous coverage available here.
President Biden called the announcement by the long-serving justice "a bittersweet day."
In a letter to Biden dated Thursday, Justice Breyer said his retirement would take effect when the Supreme Court breaks for summer recess, which typically occurs in late June or early July, contingent upon the confirmation of his successor.
Justice Breyer's departure after nearly three decades on the bench gives Biden a chance to fulfill his pledge to nominate the first Black woman to the court and build on his administration's success in rapidly confirming federal judges to lower courts.