Byron White to come out of retirement, rejoin Supreme Court next session (revised)

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DENVER--Former Supreme Court Justice Byron White will come out of retirement and return to the Supreme Court next session, he announced in a press conference Sunday. The announcement came after weeks of speculation that White was becoming bored with retirement and was looking to rejoin the court.

“I just needed a break in '93," White said of his retirement. "I was completely exhausted. I was drained and I started questioning whether presiding over the highest court in the nation was worth the physical stress, not to mention the emotional toll. I was away from my family all session. I just needed some time off." White insisted he had always wanted to be a part of the judicial branch of government, even after his retirement.

"I never wanted to leave the game forever," he said. "I tried commentary but it wasn't the same. I need to be out there on the bench making rulings, writing dissenting opinions, and being out there every night doing what I love to do." White, originally nominated to the bench by Dwight Eisenhower, said he was not worried about the age issue. "I know my body and I know I'm capable of getting out there every day and doing my job."

It is not known whether White will be able to shoulder the same load on the bench as he was before his retirement. “Of course a legend like [White] will always have the President’s respect,” said White House spokesman Scott McClellan the day after the announcement. “The question will be can he get out there and put out the kind of performance that he was known for in his prime. White will need to earn his ruling time just like anyone else on the court.”

Supreme Court watcher Jon Blane felt confident that White could do the job. "I know he's old, but White is still capable of going out there and giving 100% every night. Some of the younger players will have to go out there and earn their judicial time." Blane specifically said that Clinton appointees Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg would be the first to feel the heat from White's return. "Ginsburg has gone out there and made a name for herself. She may be a liberal under a conservative President, but she still sells tickets. Breyer has to watch out or he'll be on the bench soon."

Blane later clarified that he didn't mean the bench of the Supreme Court, but was simply making a sports metaphor.

Fans of the court had mixed reactions about the ruling. Murray Winslow expressed trepidation at the announcement. “Obviously, White could get it done back in the day, but the game has changed since then. I don’t know how he’ll be able to handle with the quicker pace of ruling today. He’s going to have to train if he wants to get back to his peak form.” Winslow, who had been attending Supreme Court cases since his father used to take him as a little boy, said he worried White would “tarnish [his] legacy.”

Washington resident Stephen Westie was much more optimistic. “I know White can get out there and make the Supreme Court proud.” Westie said he had been a White fan for years and said “I’m so excited I’ll be able to take my son to see White in person. That’s something we’ll always have.”