Economist Podcasts On the edge of his seat: Stephen Breyer
Jan 27, 2022
Stephen Macy, Supreme Court correspondent for The Economist, offers insights into Justice Breyer's retirement and President Biden's urgent nomination decisions. Kinley Semon, Africa correspondent, discusses the troubling coup in Burkina Faso and its impacts on regional jihadism. The conversation reveals the intricacies of judicial appointments in a politically charged atmosphere and sheds light on how military rule is shaping public perception and governance in West Africa.
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Breyer's Retirement
- Justice Stephen Breyer, a liberal justice nominated by Bill Clinton, is retiring.
- This allows President Biden to nominate a replacement, potentially impacting the court's dynamics.
Strategic Retirement
- Breyer's retirement is likely influenced by the 2016 Scalia vacancy and Garland's blocked nomination.
- He aims to ensure a like-minded successor before potential Republican Senate control.
Jackson's Background
- Ketanji Brown Jackson, a potential nominee, clerked for Breyer and has a diverse legal background.
- As a public defender, she worked on sentencing guidelines impacting African Americans.