ACLJ:  Justice Souter’s Reported Retirement Signals Beginning of Obama Reshaping Federal Judiciary

Supreme Court Expected to Shift Left with Obama’s First Appointment

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2009—The reported retirement of Supreme Court Justice David Souter will give President Barack Obama his first chance to put his stamp on the nation’s highest court.   As a result, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is bracing for a significantly more liberal court. 

“The reported retirement of Justice Souter marks the beginning of President Obama’s legal legacy - a legacy that will move this country dramatically to the left,” said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.  “With reports that Justice Souter will step down at the end of the term, President Obama now has a green light to begin reshaping the federal judiciary.  Based on the appointments at the Department of Justice, it’s clear that President Obama will name a Supreme Court nominee who will embrace an extremely liberal judicial philosophy.  Once a nominee is named and the confirmation process begins, it’s important that the nominee faces full and detailed hearings - with specific focus on the nominee’s judicial philosophy including how the nominee views the constitution and the rule of law.  The American people deserve nothing less.”

To schedule an interview with Jay Sekulow about the pending retirement of Justice Souter, contact Christy Lynn Wilson or Kelly Wells at (770)-813-0000.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.  The ACLJ’s online newsroom - with high-resolution, downloadable graphics, principal bios, ACLJ fact sheets, etc. - can be accessed at www.DeMossNews.com/aclj.

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