Supreme Court Retirements 2025-Style
No, I don't have any inside information. But I do have an observation. In the past, Justices often announced their retirements effective in July. For example, Justice Kennedy's retirement letter announced that he would take senior status on July 31st. Justice Stevens retired "the day after the Court rises for its summer recess," which basically meant July 1.Those were the days. This year there will be no summer recess of the emergency docket. From now on, Justices are therefore more likely to follow the example of Justice Breyer and retire upon confirmation of their successor. Otherwise, the Court could face several 4-4 deadlocks during the summer on big issues.
No, I don't have any inside information. But I do have an observation.
In the past, Justices often announced their retirements effective in July. For example, Justice Kennedy's retirement letter announced that he would take senior status on July 31st. Justice Stevens retired "the day after the Court rises for its summer recess," which basically meant July 1.
Those were the days. This year there will be no summer recess of the emergency docket. From now on, Justices are therefore more likely to follow the example of Justice Breyer and retire upon confirmation of their successor. Otherwise, the Court could face several 4-4 deadlocks during the summer on big issues.
