Staff Reports
Democrats have been in a tizzy ever since President-elect Donald Trump’s unexpected victory catapulted him back into the political spotlight. As they scurry about, trying to maintain control, one topic looms large: the Supreme Court. With fears of Trump being able to stack the court with conservative justices, a peculiar suggestion has arisen. The idea? Retire Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who just turned 70, so that President Joe Biden can appoint a younger liberal successor before the Trump era officially kicks off.
Amidst the chaos, Bernie Sanders seems to be the lone voice of reason—or perhaps just a reflection of his own political strategy. During his appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Sanders dismissed the calls for Sotomayor to step down faster than most politicians can dodge a tough question. He indicated that he doesn’t believe shuffling off the court is a sensible approach. It’s a rosy statement in light of the situation; clearly, Sanders is not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
Sanders didn’t provide much other than a lukewarm acknowledgment of the chatter regarding Sotomayor’s retirement. One can imagine him, seated comfortably in his rocking chair, bemused by the notion that Democrats might start jumping ship. After all, losing Sotomayor would mean handing Trump the opportunity to solidify a conservative supermajority of 6-3 on the court, something that keeps that left-leaning corner of America awake at night.
Sanders pushes back on plans for Sotomayor to retire during Biden’s final days https://t.co/dHLe3t6BVB
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 11, 2024
Close sources to Sotomayor have made it clear that she has no plans to retire, and one source even praised her for taking better care of herself than most. This sounds suspiciously like an attempt to rally the troops around Sotomayor, as leftists cling to her as their last bastion of liberal hope on the Supreme Court. It’s as if they believe her mere presence can keep Trump’s ambitions in check—a sentiment likely shared by the increasingly nervous Democratic party.
For those keeping track, Sotomayor was originally appointed by Barack Obama back in 2009, and ever since, she has contributed her liberal stamp on some of the most pivotal rulings. As the oldest liberal on the court, she remains a powerful player, but whether she can fend off the looming conservative tide remains a question that has Democrats scratching their heads. Each day brings new paranoia that Trump will not just reshape the landscape but could very well solidify a conservative grip that might last well beyond his time in office. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and everyone knows it—especially those on the left who are scrambling to protect their dwindling influence.
