Breyer plans to depart after Supreme Court term, successor’s confirmation

Justice Stephen Breyer on Thursday officially confirmed his upcoming retirement and gave new details on his exit, saying he plans to leave after the Supreme Court’s current term ends and after his successor has been confirmed by the Senate.

The details about the circumstances of his forthcoming departure came in a letter Breyer penned to President Biden that was made public moments before the two men delivered remarks at a White House event.

Breyer used the opportunity to express hope in the endurance of what he characterized as America’s long-running “experiment” in democratic governance.