They’re losing their minds.
Democrats are now calling for a Supreme Court Justice to step down so they can appoint a new justice. She’s telling them to get bent.
Despite a growing conversation in some liberal circles about the idea of Justice Sonia Sotomayor stepping down, sources close to her say she has no plans to leave the Supreme Court anytime soon.
With Democrats concerned about the balance of the Court in light of recent election results and the conservative majority, there’s been some discussion about whether it would be beneficial for Sotomayor, 70, to consider retirement. But those close to her report she’s still fully committed to her role, describing her as in good health and engaged as ever.
Sotomayor’s presence on the bench is more than symbolic; as the first Latina and one of the most vocal counterpoints to the conservative justices, she’s embraced her position as a leading voice on the liberal side. While she has openly shared how the weight of recent Court losses affects her emotionally, Sotomayor has repeatedly said she remains energized for the challenges ahead. In a candid speech at Harvard earlier this year, she admitted the setbacks were often painful but affirmed her resilience, saying, “You have to shed the tears, and then you have to wipe them and get up and fight some more.”
Publicly pressuring justices to step aside has historically been frowned upon, as it risks politicizing what is intended to be an impartial institution. Sotomayor’s decision to remain reflects both her commitment to the Court’s work and her determination to keep her voice present in the face of an increasingly conservative judicial landscape. With her role secure, it’s clear she still has more to say—and more to fight for.
