William Rehnquist

Succession as Chief Justice

The vacancy left by Rehnquist's death came just over two months after Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's July 1, 2005, announcement that she would retire from the Court, leaving two vacancies to be filled by President George W. Bush (though O'Connor will remain on the bench until the confirmation of her successor).

Related Topics:
July 1 - 2005

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On September 5, 2005, Judge John Roberts of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, previously nominated for an Associate Justice position on the Supreme Court, was nominated by President George W. Bush to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. Roberts was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in as the new Chief Justice on September 29, 2005. Roberts had clerked for Rehnquist from 1980 to 1981 and was a pallbearer at Rehnquist's Washington, D.C. funeral.

Related Topics:
September 5 - 2005 - John Roberts - D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals - Nominated - George W. Bush - U.S. Senate - September 29 - Clerked

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