Trump to Get Second SCOTUS Appointment?

[Cow Poke]

Big cases, retirement rumors as Supreme Court nears finish

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court enters its final week of work before a long summer hiatus with action expected on the Trump administration's travel ban and a decision due in a separation of church and state case that arises from a Missouri church playground.

The biggest news of all, though, would be if Justice Anthony Kennedy were to use the court's last public session on Monday to announce his retirement.

To be sure, Kennedy has given no public sign that he will retire this year and give President Donald Trump his second high court pick in the first months of his administration. Kennedy's departure would allow conservatives to take firm control of the court.

But Kennedy turns 81 next month and has been on the court for nearly 30 years. Several of his former law clerks have said they think he is contemplating stepping down in the next year or so. Kennedy and his clerks were gathering over the weekend for a reunion that was pushed up a year and helped spark talk he might be leaving the court.

[One Bad Pig]

Kennedy's certainly been mostly a disappointment to conservatives.

[Faber]

Too bad Ginsburger didn't keep her promise to move to New Zealand if Trump was elected. I'm sure she and Starbright would be good company.

[Cow Poke]

Too bad Ginsburger didn't keep her promise to move to New Zealand if Trump was elected. I'm sure she and Starbright would be good company.

Did ANY of those who promised to move actually vacate?

[ke7ejx]

Did ANY of those who promised to move actually vacate?

None that I know of, alas...

[Teallaura]

I think it's a bit premature - I suspect he'd have retired in the Obama admin if he were serious about retiring.

But who knows...

[JimL]

Big cases, retirement rumors as Supreme Court nears finish

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court enters its final week of work before a long summer hiatus with action expected on the Trump administration's travel ban and a decision due in a separation of church and state case that arises from a Missouri church playground.

The biggest news of all, though, would be if Justice Anthony Kennedy were to use the court's last public session on Monday to announce his retirement.

To be sure, Kennedy has given no public sign that he will retire this year and give President Donald Trump his second high court pick in the first months of his administration. Kennedy's departure would allow conservatives to take firm control of the court.

But Kennedy turns 81 next month and has been on the court for nearly 30 years. Several of his former law clerks have said they think he is contemplating stepping down in the next year or so. Kennedy and his clerks were gathering over the weekend for a reunion that was pushed up a year and helped spark talk he might be leaving the court.

Well, lets hope he doesn't step down until Trump is impeached.

[rogue06]

I think it's a bit premature - I suspect he'd have retired in the Obama admin if he were serious about retiring.

But who knows...

At this point it is nothing but a rumor. Still, keep in mind, he is in his 80s so any decision to retire might not be motivated by political considerations

[Terraceth]

Kennedy's certainly been mostly a disappointment to conservatives.

I'm pretty sure he votes with the conservatives more than with the liberals (in cases where the court is split down those lines). Considering him "mostly a disappointment" seems dubious when it seems it should be the opposite. Sure, he's not Scalia, but he's certainly not a Ginsburg either.

By the way, did you know that Scalia was confirmed 98-0, Kennedy 97-0, and Ginsburg 96-3?

[rogue06]

Kennedy's certainly been mostly a disappointment to conservatives.

His pushing the idea of using foreign laws as an aid in interpreting what is constitutional has always perplexed me.

[rogue06]

Well, lets hope he doesn't step down until Trump is impeached.

So you expect that he'll be immortal?

And you do realize that a President Pence is far, far more likely to nominate judges who are considerably more hard-line conservative than Trump would. IOW, be very, very careful what you wish for since it often has a habit of coming around and biting you in the butt.

[Cow Poke]

Well, lets hope he doesn't step down until Trump is impeached.

Jimmy, you really shouldn't torture yourself with such impossible dreams. And, IF, by some miracle, Trump were impeached, Pence would be the one to do the appointing.

[JimL]

Jimmy, you really shouldn't torture yourself with such impossible dreams. And, IF, by some miracle, Trump were impeached, Pence would be the one to do the appointing.

Don't be to sure, Pence has had to lawyer up as well.

[Sparko]

JimL, come back to the real world.

[Mountain Man]

Well, lets hope he doesn't step down until Trump is impeached.

So... never?