WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After more than 18 years on the nation's highest court, Supreme Court Justice David Souter is retiring, a source close to Souter told CNN Thursday.
Souter will leave after the current court term recesses in June, the source said.
Filling Souter's seat would be President Barack Obama's first Supreme Court appointment -- and the first since George W. Bush's picks of Samuel Alito in 2006 and Chief Justice John Roberts in 2005.
Souter, 69, was tapped for the court by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, but disappointed many conservatives when he turned out to be a typical old-fashioned Yankee Republican -- a moderate, with an independent, even quirky streak.
And abortion debate in 3... 2... 1... ! Get ready for more drama, invective, and empty partisan rhetoric. Things are about to get interesting (by which I mean, things are about to stay boring and predictable). And Mr. President, make sure your nominee paid his (or probably her) taxes! In the meantime, here's a little Supreme Court humor for you.
Family Guy Supreme Court Video Clip:
What Justice David Souter had to do to get on the Supreme Court.
Cherry! Cherry! Cherry!
What's the hazing policy in Article III of the Constitution?
