Justice Breyer to retire, giving Biden first court pick

By MARK SHERMAN and MICHAEL BALSAMO
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring, giving President Joe Biden an opening he has pledged to fill by naming the first Black woman to the high court. Biden and Breyer are expected to hold an event at the White House Thursday to formally announce Breyer’s plans to retire, according to a person briefed on the planning who was not authorized to publicly discuss it in advance. The 83-year-old Breyer’s departure won’t change the 6-3 conservative advantage on the court. But nomination of a Black woman could help Biden politically among critics who fault him for failing to persuade the Senate to pass legislation shoring up voting rights.