Biden to nominate first Black woman to sit on supreme court by end of February

US president announced plans for court at White House event marking retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer

Joe Biden intends to announce his nominee to become the first Black woman to sit on the US supreme court by the end of February, the president said on Thursday at a formal White House event to mark the retirement of the liberal-leaning justice Stephen Breyer.

Lauding the retiring justice as a beacon of wisdom" and a model public servant at a time of great division in this country", Biden pledged to replace him with someone worthy of Breyer's legacy of excellence and decency". He said the nominee would have extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity, and that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States supreme court."