Stephen Breyer, former Supreme Court justice: Every judge is aware of the climate of the year'

"Retired Supreme Court judge Stephen Breyer carries around a worn copy of the Constitution in his pocket. Somebody might ask me a question. I don't know the answer, I'll look it up, he says. Never mind that he stepped down in 2022, 28 years after Bill Clinton appointed him as one of the nine magistrates of the Supreme Court. Once a judge, always a judge."

"And this Boston son, former collaborator of Senator Ted Kennedy, is clear on his continuing responsibilities: at 87 years of age, he is still a teacher, giving talks to young people on the importance of the juridical system as a pillar of democracy. His office, with its wooden coffered ceiling in the imposing Supreme Court, provides its own course in U.S. history."

"Before beginning the conversation, he specifies that he is unable to talk about pending Supreme Court cases, or expand on what is already known about past cases. Nor is he able to speak about politics. Question. The Supreme Court's new term began on Monday and the justices have before them an enormous amount of cases that are fundamental to U.S. democracy. A huge responsibility, given the polarization of the country. How does a judge approach that? Answer."

Stephen Breyer carries a worn Constitution and consults it when uncertain about legal matters. He retired from the Supreme Court in 2022 after 28 years of service following appointment by Bill Clinton. He continues to teach and give talks to young people about the juridical system as a pillar of democracy. His Supreme Court office contains photographs from each year he served, paintings from national museums, inherited antique books, and a frequently lit fireplace. He declines to comment on pending cases or political matters. He emphasizes that judges must not decide cases based on the political temperature of the day.

Read at english.elpais.com