Biden Praises Retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer

WSJ WASHINGTON—President Biden praised retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer as a “model public servant” Thursday and reaffirmed his commitment to nominate a Black woman to fill his seat, pledging to make an announcement before the end of February.

“Stephen Breyer has been an exemplary justice, fair to the party before him, courteous to his colleagues, careful in his reasoning,” Mr. Biden said from the White House with Justice Breyer at his side. He added: “I will select a nominee worthy of Justice Breyer’s legacy of excellence and decency.”

Justice Breyer appeared with Mr. Biden shortly after formally telling the president that he intended to step down when the court’s annual term ends in June or July, as long as a successor is in place. His retirement will pave the way for Mr. Biden to keep a liberal in his seat and gives both parties an issue they could use to energize their voters ahead of midterm elections.

In brief remarks, Justice Breyer spoke about the importance of the rule of law, saying: “It’s a kind of miracle when you sit there and see all those people in front of you. People that are so different in what they think. And yet they’ve decided to help solve their major differences under law.”