Chief Justice John Roberts just told retirement rumors to take a hike. Speaking in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 7, 2025, the 70-year-old Supreme Court leader swatted away health concerns with a quip: He’s leaving “feet first.” Looks like the left’s hopes for a vacancy just got a reality check.
The Hill reported that at a fireside chat celebrating the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, Roberts declared he’s not eyeing the exit, despite being nearly two decades into his tenure and younger than three colleagues—Justices Thomas, Alito, and Sotomayor.
“I’m going out feet first,” Roberts said, tossing in some humor to underline his resolve. Sorry, progressives, no open seat for your woke agenda anytime soon. The man’s got stamina and a plan.
Roberts isn’t naive about aging on the bench. He’s enlisted two longtime friends to monitor his health and give him the hard truth if he starts slipping. That’s called responsibility, not clinging to power.
“I want the two of you to tell me if it’s time to go,” he told his pals, only for them to jokingly reply, “It’s time to go.” Roberts laughed it off, proving he’s still sharp enough to know a jest from a judgment. Nice try, but he’s not budging.
If his health tanks and he becomes a burden to the Court, Roberts said he’d reconsider. That’s a far cry from the left’s caricature of justices as power-hungry dinosaurs. Accountability isn’t a word they teach in woke law school.
Age is the left’s latest cudgel, with Biden, McConnell, and a 97-year-old D.C. judge dragged into their narrative. Roberts, however, says age isn’t a crisis at the Supreme Court. It’s only been a problem “a handful of times,” and colleagues have always stepped in to resolve it.
“It’s always really worked out,” Roberts noted, suggesting the Court’s self-policing works just fine. No need for activist-led witch hunts or impeachment tantrums. The system isn’t broken, no matter how loudly the left screams.
Roberts feels “pretty healthy” and isn’t sweating his 70 years. Compare that to the panic over Biden’s campaign stumbles or McConnell’s freezes. The Chief Justice is holding the line while others falter.
When asked about impeaching judges over Trump-era rulings, Roberts didn’t mince words. “Impeachment is not how you register disagreement with decisions,” he said. That’s a polite smackdown to the left’s vendetta against justices who don’t bow to their ideology.
The crowd in Buffalo got a glimpse of Roberts’ roots, too. He reminisced about his childhood there, even swinging by his old home before the event. Grounded, not grandiose—unlike certain politicians fishing for applause.
Speculation about Justices Thomas and Alito retiring has been swirling, but Roberts’ stance steals the spotlight. Neither Thomas nor Alito has signaled they’re stepping down, so the left’s dream of reshaping the Court remains just that—a dream. Tough luck.
“If you recognize that you’re a burden to the court rather than part of an assist, then it’ll be time to go,” Roberts said, showing he’s got a clear-eyed view of duty. That’s leadership, not obstinacy. Woke critics might learn a thing or two.
The Supreme Court isn’t a playground for age-based purges or ideological coups. Roberts’ colleagues have handled rare overstay issues internally, no drama needed. Contrast that with Congress’s endless grandstanding.
Roberts’ “feet first” vow is a middle finger to those itching for his seat. He’s healthy, focused, and not here for the left’s impeachment games. The Court’s in steady hands, and that’s a win for sanity.