Democrats are getting good at pushing their own people out of things. First they pushed Joe Biden out of the 2024 election, but watched Kamala Harris get destroyed by Donald Trump in an overwhelming victory for the Republicans. Now political news reports say Democrats are discussing what to do with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and if they want to push her towards an early retirement. Sotomayor is only 70, so it’s not like she’s in her 80s or 90s, and she should retire when she wants to, not when she’s told to.
Democrats seem worried that Sotomayor could retire when Trump is president, meaning he would get to replace her with someone of his choice. This is the Democrats showing how they’re really only interested in retaining power for themselves, not what’s best for their own people – or anyone, really.
But is there time for Democrats to have Sotomayor retire and be replaced before Trump takes office in a few months? That remains to be seen. Will Democrats bully Sotomayor into it, or will Sotomayor tell them to shove it and do what she thinks is best for herself and her country? Fox News reported on the situation with Democrats and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor:
“She can sort of resign conditionally on someone being appointed to replace her,” a Democratic senator told Politico Playbook. “But she can’t resign conditioned on a specific person. What happens if she resigns and the nominee to replace her isn’t confirmed, and the next president fills the vacancy?”
The Democrat also told the outlet that there remain two top concerns about the idea: confirming a new justice under Congress’ already packed schedule and whether any members would be willing to go on the record against Sotomayor.
Proponents of the idea would have to guarantee enough Senate votes to ensure a quick confirmation before Trump takes office, which, one source told Playbook, could face a potential roadblock from members such as retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., if they do not support the replacement.