Tipsheet

Oh, So That’s Who Leaked Justice Breyer’s Retirement

Last week news broke Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer was retiring. But the news didn't come from the Court or from Breyer himself, prompting anger and frustration. 

One day later, Breyer joined President Joe Biden at the White House to officially announce his retirement.

The news leaked and immediately raised questions about who revealed the decision without Breyer's permission. Now we know White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain reportedly shared the news with a number of Democratic Senators on Capitol Hill, eventually making it to the media. 

"So I think it must have been Wednesday morning when I received a surprise call at 9:30 a.m. from Ron Klain, not a usual person to call me. I think the first time he's ever called me. He said the president wanted me to know that Stephen Breyer was about to announce his retirement from the court and they were telling a limited number of people and that I should keep it confidential," Sen. Dick Durbin told reporters Monday. "That’s what confidential on Capitol Hill leads to, I guess."

Meanwhile as President Joe Biden's approval rating continues to tank, Klain's future at the White House is uncertain.