SCOTUS justices honor retiring Stephen Breyer in heartfelt statements: 'An absolute joy'


Among other positives, leaving one's longtime post is a surefire way to hear from those you love and respect most what they most love and respect about you — and of course, Justice Stephen Breyer's retirement from the Supreme Court is no exception.
In brief statements of their own, the court's eight other justices on Thursday commemorated and congratulated their departing colleague, with nothing but nice things to say.
"Justice Stephen G. Breyer is an energetic jurist and dear friend," wrote Chief Justice John Roberts. "He is also a reliable antidote to dead airtime at our lunches, moving seamlessly from modern architecture to French cinema, to old radio shows to a surprisingly comprehensive collection of riddles and knock-knock jokes."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Justice Clarence Thomas, who sat next to Breyer for most of their time together, said it's been "an absolute joy" to spend time with Breyer and his wife Joanna, and he will "continue to hold fast to the countless memories we have already accumulated over these many years."
Justice Samuel Alito also brought up Breyer's "amusing observations at lunch," calling him a "brilliant, erudite, good-natured, and funny" colleague; Sonia Sotomayor said he is "funny, optimistic and giving."
"We all will miss his commitment to seeking consensus and ensuring collegiality in all we do," she added.
Justice Elena Kagan mused that she will miss Breyer "every day," and she can "hardly imagine the court without him."
"His good humor is legendary. I will very much miss his wisdom — and his wit — at our conference table," said Justice Neil Gorsuch.
"He has made the court and America better," wrote Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Added Justice Amy Coney Barrett: "Both in print and in person, Steve aims to persuade through exuberance rather than bite."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Rubio says US brokered end to Syria conflict
Speed Read Syria's defense ministry was targeted in Israeli attacks on the capital
-
Trump threatens Russia with 'severe tariffs'
speed read The president also agreed to sell NATO advanced arms for Ukraine
-
IDF blames 'error' for strike on Gaza water line
Speed Read Israeli forces attack Palestinians, including children, collecting water in central Gaza
-
Iran still has enriched uranium, Israeli official says
Speed Read It remains unclear how long it would take Iran to rebuild its nuclear program following US and Israeli attacks
-
Trump U-turns on weapons to Ukraine
Speed Read Unhappy with Putin, Trump decides the US will go back to arming Ukraine against Russia's attacks
-
Ukraine scrambles as Trump cuts weapons deliveries
Speed Read The halting of weapons shipments was driven by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, a Ukraine funding skeptic
-
IAEA: Iran could enrich uranium 'within months'
Speed Read The chief United Nations nuclear inspector, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could be enriching uranium again soon
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024