On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that Justice Anthony Kennedy will be retiring from his seat on the nation’s highest court. The announcement came hours after the nine Justices delivered two final decisions of the 2018 term. Justice Kennedy’s retirement will be effective on July 31, 2018.

In the coming months, the confirmation process for the next Justice to the Supreme Court will consume national headlines. The high court has decided several critical issues in recent years, often on 5-4 votes. Both sides will battle to influence what has been viewed as an evenly divided court.

Experts, pundits and official Twitter accounts offered a range of views. They discuss the retirement of Justice Kennedy, the process moving forward and what’s at stake.

What Was Announced

The media quickly picked up a letter Justice Anthony Kennedy sent today to President Trump.

#SCOTUS Justice Anthony Kennedy's letter to President Trump, announcing his decision to retire from the Supreme Court after 30 years on the bench: pic.twitter.com/X3wQljyTel

— Julie Percha (@juliepercha) June 27, 2018

Following a meeting with the President of the Portuguese Republic, President Trump answered reporters’ questions.

President Trump reaction to Justice Anthony Kennedy retirement: "He's been a great Justice of the Supreme Court." #SCOTUS pic.twitter.com/oFJ7TJ31Jn

— CSPAN (@cspan) June 27, 2018

Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman @ChuckGrassley Statement on the Retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy #SCOTUS https://t.co/0KFhbrpE9l pic.twitter.com/aa9nogx1r9

— Senate Judiciary (@senjudiciary) June 27, 2018

The Process Moving Forward

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., made a statement within hours. “We will vote to confirm Justice Kennedy’s successor this fall,” he said.

My full remarks: pic.twitter.com/PUiahqy0Ej

— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) June 27, 2018

President Trump re-stated he would choose from one of 25 names on a previously released list. The list of names was updated on November 17, 2017.

Pres. Trump says potential nominee to replace Justice Kennedy will come from a previously released list of 25 names, including judges, retired judges, and a member of Congress. https://t.co/gEla8F1aDC pic.twitter.com/XiWWCbfH6E

— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) June 27, 2018

Chris Wallace, host of Fox News Sunday, offered his expert analysis within minutes of the news breaking.

Chris Wallace on Justice Kennedy's retirement and the next Supreme Court pick: "I think this is the biggest moment of the Trump presidency so far." @ShepNewsTeam pic.twitter.com/C5mWlzMmh1

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 27, 2018

A former clerk for the late Justice Scalia, Ed Whelan predicted a vote on the next Justice by late September.

Prediction:

President Trump's nominee to replace Justice Kennedy will win all R votes and two or three Ds. Will be confirmed in mid- or late September.

— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) June 27, 2018

Issues and Names Being Hotly Discussed

Closed-door meetings on Capitol Hill about the next nominee began Wednesday. Some reporters received tips on which names to watch.

Sources indicated to Fox News six federal appeals court judges — Thomas Hardiman, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Amul Thapar, Joan Larsen and Raymond Kethledge — are considered early frontrunners https://t.co/lPZsfeJML4

— Alex Pappas (@AlexPappas) June 27, 2018

Many voices on both the left and right pointed to the issue of abortion as central. The media highlighted what President Trump said in a 2016 debate.

FLASHBACK to October 2016 debate: Trump said if he puts 2 or 3 justices on the Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade will be overturned and states may outlaw abortion. pic.twitter.com/hnqTfCIjKo

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) June 27, 2018

Susan B. Anthony List pointed to a statement made Tuesday by Ilyse Hogue of NARAL. The pro-choice activist noted the NIFLA case hinged on one vote.

YESTERDAY:
"One vote made all the difference today, and it could also be the only thing between upholding Roe or outlawing legal abortion in America."
– @ilyseh, @NARAL president

TODAY:
Justice Kennedy announces retirement, opening a #SCOTUS seat for that one pivotal vote.

— Susan B Anthony List (@SBAList) June 27, 2018

Yet the overturn of Roe v. Wade would be no easy task. Ed Whelan of Ethics and Public Policy Center wrote in a series of tweets:

On the scaremongering over Roe v. Wade:

1. I sure hope that Roe v. Wade is overturned and that abortion policy is restored to the democratic processes (which, of course, is all that overturning of Roe would mean). All should welcome that. pic.twitter.com/IP4RJjkMJs

— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) June 27, 2018

2. But there is only one Justice on the Court (Thomas) who is on the record against Roe. Quite a leap to jump from one to five.

3. Numerous learned Court watchers doubt that Chief will vote to overturn Roe. I hope and think they’re wrong, but I don’t know more than they do.

— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) June 27, 2018

4. How many presidential elections has the Left lost because of its slavish devotion to Roe?

— Ed Whelan (@EdWhelanEPPC) June 27, 2018

Responses From Elected Officials

Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., serves as Democratic Whip and a prominent voice on the Judiciary Committee. He noted his party will press for a January vote on the nominee.

My full statement on Justice Kennedy's retirement: pic.twitter.com/f7T8g2UuAF

— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) June 27, 2018

Also on that all-important committee, Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, pushed back on the proposed delayed timing.

Our Democrat colleagues entire strategy seems to be premised on the assumption that the American people don't understand the difference between a Presidential election and a midterm election.

They understand. https://t.co/ntnqWJDwfY #utpol

— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) June 27, 2018

The newest Senator, Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., noted her support of a vote this fall.

I thank Justice Kennedy for his service and wish him well. I also look forward to voting before the end of the year on a new conservative justice to defend the Constitution. #SCOTUS https://t.co/pwQ74jPbi2

— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) June 27, 2018

After a week of big Supreme Court news, Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., offered his summary.

Wow, the Supreme Court this week:

– Deeming @realDonaldTrump's travel ban Constitutional
– Siding w/ the 1st Amendment, so pro-life centers are not forced to promote abortions
– Siding with workers who do not wish to join unions
– the retirement announcement of Justice Kennedy

— Ralph Norman (@RepRalphNorman) June 27, 2018

 

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