Chief Justice Burger retiring, Reagan names Rehnquist as replacement 30 years ago this hour (June 17 1986)

1980s, U.S. Presidents

(Tuesday, June 17, 1986, 2:00 p.m. EDT) — President Ronald Reagan today announced the retirement of Warren Earl Burger as Chief Justice of the United States after 17 years and the intention to nominate Associate Justice William Hubbs Rehnquist to replace him.

Reagan also announced that, upon Justice Rehnquist’s confirmation as Chief Justice by the Senate, he would nominate Judge Antonin Scalia, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to the Supreme Court.