Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer suggested on NBC News Sunday that term limits applied to the court are fine as long as he remains in office long enough.
Breyer appeared on “Meet the Press” to talk about his upcoming book on the Constitution and why he leans more toward pragmatism than textualism. When NBC host Kristen Welker asked the former justice about the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision, she asked Breyer about his thoughts on age limits that could change the outcome. (Related: ‘My friend’: Former Judge Breyer says Clarence Thomas is ‘a man of integrity’)
“The Dobbs incident was clearly due in part to Amy Coney Barrett standing on the court in place of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died while she was still on the bench. There is no age limit on the Supreme Court. Do you think there should be one?” Welker asked.
Breyer said he doesn’t think it would be “detrimental,” but that he would suggest longer terms, such as 20 or 18 years, to prevent the person who takes the position from “thinking” about their next job. Stated.
“I’ve said it, and I think it’s true, but I don’t think it’s harmful. For example, if there’s a long term, it has to be long. Why long? Supreme Court Because I don’t want people appointed to think about their next job. I mean, a 20-year term, I don’t know, an 18-year term, okay, okay. I don’t think that’s detrimental. I think it helped in my case. It would have prevented me from having to make a difficult decision when you retire. When is the right time and I’m okay with that,” Breyer said. Ta.
Welker continued to press Breyer about his decision to come off the bench in 2022, asking if it was a “difficult” decision and if he missed out on the position.
“How difficult was it for you to decide to retire?” Welker asked.
“That’s difficult,” Breyer said.
“Do you miss being on the Supreme Court?” Welker Pressed
“Of course, yes. But you know, human life is tough, and it gets worse as you get older. I’m 85, 83. So you’ve been there for quite a while. I’m sure other people have the opportunity, too, because at some point in your career you just can’t do it.I think I can do it, but I’m still wondering when the right time is. There comes a time when you have to make a decision. There are a lot of things to consider,” Breyer said.
Breyer officially retired from the court on June 30, 2022, at the age of 83, and was replaced by then-Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, nominated by President Joe Biden.
