On Thursday, President Joe Biden confirmed that he will make his decision on his nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Breyer by the end of February.
Biden said the nominee will be a black woman.
President Joe Biden said he plans to name a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer by the end of February and reiterated his intention to nominate a Black woman for the first time to serve on the highest U.S. judicial body https://t.co/BQOEeAlPvM pic.twitter.com/pvV5mo6zmg
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 27, 2022
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Biden Sets End Of February Deadline
Biden spoke in the White House’s Roosevelt Room alongside outgoing Associate Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer on Thursday.
“Our process is going to be rigorous,” Biden said on choosing Breyer’s successor. “I will select the nominee worthy of Justice Breyer’s legacy of excellence and decency.”
“While I’ve been studying candidates’ backgrounds and writings, I’ve made no decision except one,” Biden continued. “The person I will nominate will be someone of extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity, and that person will be the first black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court.”
“It’s long overdue, in my opinion,” the president added.
One of the big questions is whether the Republican Party will oppose Biden’s nominee, sure to be someone far left of the mainstream, or if they will acquiesce without a fight.
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Biden said that he’s going to lean on Vice President Kamala Harris to help him decide.
“I will listen carefully to all the advice I’m given, and I’ll study the records and former cases carefully,” Biden said, noting that he plans to invite Harris as well as senators from both parties in for the review process.
Biden said, “In the end, I will nominate a historic candidate, someone who is worthy of Justice Breyer’s legacy, and someone who, like Justice Breyer, will provide incredible service on the United States Supreme Court.”
President @JoeBiden, flanked by Breyer, told the nation in televised remarks that he would make his pick by the end of February.
He promised the nominee will be "worthy of Justice Breyer's legacy and excellence and decency."
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 27, 2022
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Breyer Formally Announced His Retirement Thursday
Breyer formally announced his retirement in a letter to the president on Thursday, but the news of him leaving the court broke on Wednesday.
Breyer said he appreciates “the privilege of serving as part of the federal judicial system” and found his work to be “challenging and meaningful.”
“My relations with each of my colleagues have been warm and friendly,” Breyer added.