Summary
Retired Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has written a book called "Life, Law, & Liberty" where he shares insights about his time on the court, especially his role as a "swing justice." He discusses the changing climate of the court and expresses concerns about the state of American democracy and the tone of recent judicial opinions.
Key Facts
- Anthony Kennedy served on the Supreme Court for 30 years and was often the decisive vote in controversial cases.
- He is known as a "swing justice," meaning his vote often decided key cases on issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, and campaign finance.
- Kennedy wrote major decisions on gay rights, including the 2015 ruling making same-sex marriage legal nationwide.
- He expressed worry about the increasing partisanship and confrontational discourse in America today.
- Kennedy was appointed to the court by President Ronald Reagan and initially shared conservative views.
- He retired in 2018, confident that major court decisions would remain stable, but now seems less certain of that.
- His book is scheduled for release on October 14 and offers personal insights into his judicial philosophy and decisions.
