Twitter Reactions To Justice Kennedy's Retirement

Fun fact: By the fall, four Supreme Court justices — almost half the Court — will have been picked by Presidents who entered office after losing the popular vote. pic.twitter.com/5LRrY1erYj

— Joe Patrice (@JosephPatrice) June 27, 2018

i always vowed i'd only do one of these in truly dire circumstances pic.twitter.com/nV3plON3KL

— Alan Scherstuhl (@studiesincrap) June 27, 2018

“The Supreme Court will now fall to chaos”: Joshua Matz has this essay online at The Washington Post. https://t.co/0eYRiD2LGQ

— Howard Bashman (@howappealing) June 27, 2018

Anthony Kennedy has now cemented his legacy. Not as a “centrist” or “swing vote.” As a partisan Republican who single-handedly blew up the campaign finance system, dissembled about his desire to deal with partisan gerrymandering. And, as dessert, devastated the Voting Rights Act.

— Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) June 27, 2018

Reposting my piece on court packing. Seems timely. https://t.co/m9dGSEWC3x

— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) June 27, 2018

Meet the “orphaned” #SCOTUS clerks hired by Justice Kennedy for 2018-2019 (& don’t feel too bad for them; this post explains what will likely happen to them). Note that this post was from December 2017. #AppellateTwitter – https://t.co/E0eaZaeWVR

— David Lat (@DavidLat) June 27, 2018

One piece of news (albeit expected news) already: Federalist Society EVP Leonard Leo will once again be serving as an outside advisor to Trump on the #SCOTUS seat, a role he played last year for Gorsuch; he's taking a leave of absence from FedSoc https://t.co/o9kMhjwUwh

— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) June 27, 2018

DO YOU WANT TO BE A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE? pic.twitter.com/CNDLtiH8hF

— Forum Non (@ForumNon) June 27, 2018

How’s this for a totally uninformed, irresponsible prediction:

Sixth Circuit Judge Amul Thapar will be President Trump’s nominee to replace Justice Kennedy.

— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) June 27, 2018

A woman on the street just yelled “SHIT!!!” then looked up from her phone and said “that wasn’t directed at you. It’s just, the Supreme Court…" and a woman standing next to her simply nodded.

— Isaac Fitzgerald (@IsaacFitzgerald) June 27, 2018

There is a very real chance that Anthony Kennedy's retirement will allow the Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality, dashing the centerpiece of his legacy: https://t.co/TQ3oBrZJBK @Slate

— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) June 27, 2018

Yes, Masterpiece and retiring now are a weird coda, but Justice Kennedy is going to be remembered for expanding #LGBT rights (Windsor and Obergefell, and Lawrence before that). #SCOTUS

— Michelle Olsen (@AppellateDaily) June 27, 2018

I guess we are going to finally test that old theory that if Roe v. Wade were overturned, it would lead to a profound political mobilization of women that will pass stronger, more durable legislation protecting reproductive rights.

— Adam Winkler (@adamwinkler) June 27, 2018

Call me skeptical.

— Adam Winkler (@adamwinkler) June 27, 2018

Yeah we have a LOT to discuss https://t.co/TdueWOAIux

— Rick Hasen (@rickhasen) June 27, 2018

Yes – with filibusters and blue slips gone and a Senate majority, Republicans can’t be “Garlanded.” (Also Dems can’t flee D.C. to deny quorum, just 51 votes needed.) #SCOTUS #AppellateTwitter https://t.co/uQgeaEVBla

— David Lat (@DavidLat) June 27, 2018

My @SenateGOP colleagues should follow the rule they set in 2016 not to consider a SCOTUS nominee in an election year. Sen McConnell would tell anyone who listened that the Senate had the right to advise & consent, & that was every bit as important as POTUS’ right to nominate.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 27, 2018