Souter retiring from Supreme Court

BREAKING NEWS: WASHINGTON (AP) — A source says Justice David Souter has told the White House that he will retire from the Supreme Court at the end of the court’s term in June. The source spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for Souter.

Speculation that the 69-year-old justice will be stepping down has been fueled by his failure to appoint law clerks from the fall term.

National Public Radio reported that Souter will remain on the bench until a successor is confirmed.

The Supreme Court declined to comment on the report.

Souter’s retirement would give President Barack Obama his first pick for the high court. Court watchers expect him to choose a woman to join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the only woman on the Supreme Court.

Souter has never made any secret of his dislike for Washington, once telling acquaintances he had “the world’s best job in the world’s worst city.” When the court finishes its work for the summer, he quickly departs for his beloved New Hampshire.

He has been on the court since 1990, when he was an obscure federal appeals court judge until President George H.W. Bush tapped him for the Supreme Court.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The case of the missing law clerks is this spring’s most-watched mystery at the Supreme Court.

It could be, to borrow a page from Sherlock Holmes, the court’s dog that didn’t bark, offering a clue as to the retirement plans of Justice David Souter.

Or perhaps Souter, known for his wry humor, is having a little chuckle at our expense.

He isn’t saying, declining through a court spokeswoman to put the issue to rest.

Either way, eight justices are known to have hired the four law clerks who will work with them in the Supreme Court term that begins in October. Souter appears to be the lone holdout.

Officials at the highest levels of government have taken notice, while the court’s press corps is consumed with anxiety.

Why does this matter? Under the scenario that counts, Souter, 69, would not be hiring clerks because he isn’t planning to be in Washington in the fall. A retirement would give President Barack Obama his first chance to nominate a justice and the next few months would bring Senate confirmation hearings.

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