Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer officially announced his retirement on the morning of Jan. 27, 2022. Breyer is currently the oldest on the Supreme Court at the age of 83. He was nominated and confirmed in 1994 by former President Bill Clinton and has served 28 years on the highest court.

Breyer’s exit will open up a new spot for nomination by President Joe Biden. Breyer is currently one of the three liberal-leaning judges, so his replacement will not tamper with the court’s current six conservative-leaning judges’ majority.

Breyer’s leaving was announced from the White House after a speech from both President Biden and Breyer himself. In Breyer’s speech, he eluded to the greater idea that the Democracy in which the United States resides is an experiment, and one we must keep going forward with.

“It’s an experiment. That experiment existed then because even the liberals in Europe, you know, they’re looking over here, and they’re saying that great idea in principle, but it’ll never work. But we’ll show them it does. That’s what Washington thought. And that’s what Lincoln thought. And that’s what people still think today.”

Breyer’s optimistic view for the future remains, as he believes the next generation will continue the experiment of liberty.

“you know who will see whether that experiment works? It’s you, my friend.

It’s you mister high school student.

It’s you, mister college student,

it’s you mister law school students.

It’s us, but it’s you.

It’s that next generation and the one after that. My grandchildren and their children. They’ll determine whether the experiment still works.

And of course, I am an optimist, and I’m pretty sure it will” said Breyer.