Ginsburg: Retirement?

Ginsburg: Retirement?

An important topic in politics right now is the appointment of Supreme Court Justices. As many of you know Judge Gorsuch was nominated in 2017 by current President Donald Trump, and appointed not long afterward. Recently Judge Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement, and President Trump jumped at the chance for another GOP seat in the house, picking heavily conservative Brett Kavanaugh to fill it, thus swaying the vote 5-4, 5 conservative, and 4 liberal Justices, (if Kavanaugh is appointed). Whilst all of this is stirring in the conservative world, Democrats have had enough, and do not want another conservative Judge.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who is known for her moderately liberal perspectives is has been a member of the Court for over 25 years and is speaking out against President Trump’s ultra conservative choices. As the oldest Justice on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg is frequently asked the question “when will you retire?” a question that is probably more relevant now than ever, since President Trump is on his way to appointing two conservative Justices on the Supreme Court. Ginsburg recently told the press she hopes to stay on the Supreme Court for “at least five more years” (CNN). Five years ahead will put us in 2023 where, if Trump is elected for a second term, he’ll be on his last year, but Ginsburg said she’d hope to stay at least five more years, so possibly until Trump is out of the White House. If Ginsburg is successful in staying until 2024 (keeping in mind she is 85 years old)  she may witness another liberal Justice take her seat in the Supreme Court.

Discussion Questions:

1. Should President Trump be looking for more of a centrist/wild card Judge (similar to Kennedy), rather than another moderate conservative?
2. Do you think Ginsburg will be successful in lasting five more years? (considering she’s 85)
3. Do you agree that there should be more conservative Justices? Liberal? Why?

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2018/07/30/the-suspicious-political-timing-of-ruth-bader-ginsburgs-retirement-comments/?utm_term=.6465077af627

https://www.cleveland.com/darcy/index.ssf/2018/07/ginsburg_will_wait_out_trump_d.html

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/29/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-scalia-new-york/index.html

I chose to write about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s possible retirement because I enjoy learning about the Supreme Court. I am excited to see what happens next with Kavanaugh and whether or not he will be appointed. I am also eager to find out who will replace Ginsburg when she retires.