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Souter notifies White House of retirement plans
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Contributor | Monsieur |
Last Edited | Monsieur May 01, 2009 04:43pm |
Category | News |
News Date | May 01, 2009 04:00pm |
Description | WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Justice David Souter informed the White House on Friday he will retire from the Supreme Court, and President Obama said he hopes to have a replacement on the bench by the time the court reconvenes in October.
Obama interrupted the daily White House news conference to announce that he had just ended a phone call with Souter, who, in a brief letter to the president, said, "When the Supreme Court rises for the summer recess this year, I intend to retire from active service as a justice."
The current term is expected to end in late June.
Obama thanked Souter, 69, for his more than 18 years of service, and said he will choose as his replacement someone who understands "the realities" people go through every day, and someone who understands "the rule of law."
In addition, the president said he will seek "somebody with a sharp, independent mind and a record of excellence and integrity." That person must honor traditions, respect the judicial process and share Obama's grasp of constitutional values, he said. |
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