U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced Wednesday he plans to retire, giving President Donald Trump a coveted opportunity to replace him with a more conservative judge and fundamentally change the makeup of the nation’s highest court.

Kennedy has served on the court for 30 years and has often cast the decisive vote on significant cases, including those involving abortion, gun control, and voting rights.

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A Trump appointee would very likely create a solid five-member conservative majority. Without him, the court will be split between four liberal justices who were appointed by Democratic presidents and four conservatives who were named by Republicans.

Minutes after Kennedy’s retirement was announced, Trump said he will “immediately” begin the search for a replacement and said Kennedy was a man of “tremendous vision.”

Kennedy said his retirement would become effective at the end of July.
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