US News
US Supreme Court justice retires after 19 years (Roundup)
May 1, 2009, 19:50 GMT
Washington - US Supreme Court Justice David Souter has sent a letter to President Barack Obama stating he intends to retire after 19 years on the bench.
Obama announced at the White House Friday that he had received the letter from the 69-year-old Souter and will name his replacement before the Supreme Court begins hearing new cases in the fall.
The departure of the justice from New Hampshire would create an opening for Obama to make his first appointment to the Supreme Court since taking office in January.
Obama pledged to choose a candidate who has displayed 'excellence and integrity' and to consult Democrats and Republicans before making a decision.
Former president George W Bush, a conservative Republican, named Souter to the court in 1990. But the justice went on to side with the left-liberal wing of the nine-member bench.
If confirmed by the US Senate, where Democrats hold a wide majority, a successor to Souter would likely not sharply change the ideological balance on the court but would install a younger, left- leaning judge with a lifetime appointment.
Obama praised Souter as a judge who 'never sought to promote a political agenda.'
'I am incredibly grateful for his dedicated service,' he said.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in US
- 1. Mitt Romney Addresses Tea Party Summit Pictures
- 2. Seven injured as US Navy plane crashes into apartments
- 3. At least three injured in US Navy plane crash
- 4. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, others to face death penalty trial
- 5. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, four others to face death penalty trial
Older Talkback
