Souter will leave after the current court term recesses in June , source says . Souter 's replacement would be President Obama 's first Supreme Court appointment . 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 . Souter , 69 , was tapped by President George H.W . Bush , disappointed conservatives . He is a conservative who has written opinions that have been controversial on issues such as abortion and affirmative action.
Souter will leave after the current court term recesses in June , source says . Souter 's replacement would be President Obama 's first Supreme Court appointment . Souter , 69 , was tapped by President George H.W . Bush , disappointed conservatives . He is a conservative who has written opinions that have been controversial on issues such as abortion and affirmative action.