safe. it was a simple question for this top doctor wouldn t answer. why democrats walked out of his confirmation hearing and refused to vote. good morning, everyone. it is thursday, january 27th. it is 5:00 a.m. here in new york. thank you for getting an early start with us. i m laura jarrett. i m christine romans. good morning, everyone. welcome to our viewers in the united states and around the world. we begin here with a thunderbolt in washington, d.c. the retirement of supreme court justice stephen breyer. the liberal justice is expected to formally announce his decision at a white house event with president biden as early as today. more on that in just a moment. now, as for his replacement, the president has promised to make history here, naming the first black woman to the high court. such a move could serve as a political lifeline for democrats hoping to motivate the base before midterm elections this fall. but for now, many in the party are breathing a sigh