Friday
Apr092010
Supreme Court Justice Stevens Will Retire This Summer
Friday, April 9, 2010 at 11:06AM
Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens announced Friday that he will step down down from the bench this summer.
"Having concluded that it would be in the best interests of the Court to have my successor appointed and confirmed well in advance of the commencement of the Court's next term, I shall retire from regular service," said Stevens in a letter sent to the White House.
Stevens, who will turn 90 this month, was the Court's oldest justice and generally considered to be the leader of the Court's liberal wing. He joined the Court in late 1975.
Chief Justice John Roberts applauded Stevens' long legal career.
"Associate Justice John Paul Stevens has earned the gratitude and admiration of the American people," Stevens said in a written statement. "He has enriched the lives of everyone at the Court through his intellect, independence, and warm grace."
Current Solicitor General Elena Kagan has been rumored as a possible replacement for Stevens.
This will be the second vacancy in the Court since President Barack Obama took office. In 2009, Justice David Souter announced his retirement. His seat was filled by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
"Having concluded that it would be in the best interests of the Court to have my successor appointed and confirmed well in advance of the commencement of the Court's next term, I shall retire from regular service," said Stevens in a letter sent to the White House.
Stevens, who will turn 90 this month, was the Court's oldest justice and generally considered to be the leader of the Court's liberal wing. He joined the Court in late 1975.
Chief Justice John Roberts applauded Stevens' long legal career.
"Associate Justice John Paul Stevens has earned the gratitude and admiration of the American people," Stevens said in a written statement. "He has enriched the lives of everyone at the Court through his intellect, independence, and warm grace."
Current Solicitor General Elena Kagan has been rumored as a possible replacement for Stevens.
This will be the second vacancy in the Court since President Barack Obama took office. In 2009, Justice David Souter announced his retirement. His seat was filled by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Reader Comments