Who is next Supreme Court Justice to retire? This question has been on the minds of many legal experts and political observers in recent years. The Supreme Court, as the highest judicial authority in the United States, plays a crucial role in shaping the nation’s legal landscape. With the average age of the current justices being well above 70, speculation about potential retirements has intensified. This article will explore the possible candidates for the next Supreme Court Justice to retire and the potential implications of their departure.
The Supreme Court currently consists of nine justices, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Among these justices, Stephen Breyer and Clarence Thomas are the oldest, with Breyer turning 83 in August 2021 and Thomas turning 74 in June 2021. As both justices have served on the Court for several decades, their retirement could significantly impact the balance of power on the bench.
Stephen Breyer, a liberal justice appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, has been a prominent figure on the Supreme Court. His retirement would likely lead to a battle over the replacement, as President Biden would seek to appoint a progressive justice to maintain the Court’s liberal majority. Breyer’s replacement could potentially shift the Court’s stance on key issues such as voting rights, healthcare, and environmental regulations.
Clarence Thomas, a conservative justice appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1991, has also been a subject of speculation regarding his retirement. Although Thomas has expressed his desire to serve on the Court for many more years, political observers have noted that his age and the physical demands of the job could lead to his eventual departure. If Thomas were to retire, President Biden would likely face similar pressure to appoint a progressive justice to counterbalance the conservative majority.
In addition to Breyer and Thomas, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010, has also been mentioned as a potential retiree. Kagan, who is 70 years old, has been a key player in the Court’s decisions on issues such as same-sex marriage and the Affordable Care Act. Her retirement would provide President Biden with another opportunity to shape the Court’s composition.
The retirement of any of these justices would have profound implications for the Supreme Court and the nation as a whole. With the current political climate and the highly polarized nature of the Court, the replacement of even one justice could lead to significant changes in the Court’s direction. As such, the question of who is next Supreme Court Justice to retire remains a critical issue for legal scholars, political strategists, and the American public alike.
