Rumors in June 2003 predicting Chief Justice William Rehnquist would soon retire from the U.S. Supreme Court were multiplying so fast that then-White House official Brett Kavanaugh circulated a draft statement wishing Rehnquist well.

“Chief Justice Rehnquist’s vision, leadership and opinions have had an enormous and enduring impact on American life and American law” according to the statement Kavanaugh sent to another White House official.