Former Supreme Court Justice Weighs In on Sotomayor Retirement Calls
Washington D.C. – Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has recently made headlines after speaking out against calls for fellow Justice Sonia Sotomayor to retire. Breyer described Sotomayor as a “spring chicken” compared to himself.
Justice Breyer Disagrees with Retirement Calls
In an interview with LA News Center, Breyer expressed his opposition to the retirement calls, stating, “Anybody can say what they want. Justice Sotomayor is not old; she is a spring chicken.”
Breyer’s comments come amid growing pressure from liberal pundits and academics urging Sotomayor to retire under the Biden administration. Those in favor of her retirement argue that if she remains on the bench beyond the next presidential election, the Republican party could potentially gain control of the White House and Senate, potentially leading to the appointment of a conservative justice to fill her seat.
Breyer’s Perspective on Retirement
Breyer reflected on his own decision to retire at 83 years old, stating that the decision to retire is ultimately up to each individual Justice. He advised, “People can say what they want, but the decision about what to do is up to the judge.”
Friendship and Intellectual Differences
Breyer also highlighted his close friendship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia, despite their vastly different legal philosophies. He emphasized the value of maintaining relationships despite ideological disagreements.
Breyer recalled a visit he and Scalia made to Lubbock, Texas, where they engaged in a lively debate on legal philosophies while emphasizing their friendship to their audience.
Breyer’s Pragmatism Versus Scalia’s Textualism
Breyer is a pragmatist, believing that laws are shaped by social contexts. Scalia, on the other hand, was a textualist, interpreting legal documents based on their plain meaning. Breyer’s pragmatism has led him to question the application of the Constitution across various historical and technological changes.
Despite their contrasting approaches, Breyer honored Scalia’s intelligence, stating, “Nino knew that. But then I say to him, ‘If we follow your approach, we’ll have a Constitution that no one would want’.”
Conclusion
Stephen Breyer’s comments provide a unique perspective on retirement calls for Supreme Court Justices and highlight the importance of friendship and intellectual discourse despite differing ideologies. As discussions surrounding potential retirements and judicial appointments continue, Breyer’s reflections offer a valuable perspective on the complexities of the legal system.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
