After nearly three decades on the Supreme Court bench, retiring Justice Stephen Breyer sat through his final oral argument April 27.
At the end of a case over tribal authority in criminal cases on Native American lands, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts paid tribute to his benchmate of many years.
“For 28 years, this has been his arena for remarks profound and moving, questions challenging and insightful, and hypotheticals downright silly,” said Roberts, whose voice appeared to crack.
Breyer, 83, announced his retirement in January. In April, the Senate confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, as his replacement — the first Black woman to serve on the high court.
Breyer has heard more than 2,000 arguments since joining the bench in 1994 under former President Bill Clinton.
“Now, at the appropriate time, we will in accordance with tradition and practice, read and enter into the record an exchange of letters between the court and Justice Breyer marking his retirement,” Roberts said. “For now, we leave the courtroom with deep appreciation of sharing this bench with him.”
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