Supreme Court justices take two oaths before assuming the bench. In recent years, several justices took one of the oaths at the White House with the president in attendance.

Stevens, who is the oldest sitting justice, called that "inappropriate symbolism." Justices are supposed to be independent of politics and the White House.

He says that is why he refuses to attend Supreme Court ceremonies at the White House. He called on future nominees and future presidents to end the modern practice of having taking one of oaths done at the White House.