Staff Reports
President Joe Biden claimed during a campaign speech in Philadelphia that if he is reelected, he intends to nominate two new Supreme Court justices over the next four years. He emphasized the potential impact of appointing such justices, stating that it could bring significant changes to people’s lives. However, the feasibility of this relies upon two current justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, who are both at least six years younger than Biden, deciding to retire during his potential second term in office.
With Thomas turning 76 in June and Alito having recently turned 74, both justices are considered to be a part of the conservative wing of the court. This suggests that they may be hesitant to retire while a Democratic president is in office. There has also been pressure on Justice Sonia Sotomayor to retire, but the other high court judges are still relatively young, with Chief Justice John Roberts being 69 and Justice Elena Kagan at 64.
Measuring the coffins, so to speak
Biden, 81, suggests two Supreme Court justices won’t outlast him https://t.co/afZ4C5GyO6 via @dcexaminer
— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) May 30, 2024
Biden’s statement in his campaign speech comes amidst his previous track record of appointing judges, surpassing former President Donald Trump in total appointments. He highlighted his recent nomination of Ketanji Brown-Jackson as the most recent Supreme Court justice, emphasizing his commitment to diversity and representation on the bench.
Throughout his speech, Biden also warned of the potential consequences if a Republican president were to appoint new justices, citing concerns over voting rights, the future of Roe v. Wade, and affirmative action. He called for support to prevent what he sees as detrimental changes that could occur with the appointment of “Trump justices.”
In summary, President Biden’s assertion of potentially appointing two new Supreme Court justices within the next four years reflects his commitment to shaping the direction of the court. However, the practicality of this goal remains uncertain given the current composition and age of the court’s justices.
