Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has made it clear that she has no intention of stepping down, as confirmed by sources close to her. Despite calls from some on the left for her to retire so that President Joe Biden could appoint a successor before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, Justice Sotomayor remains committed to her role on the court.
One individual close to Justice Sotomayor emphasized her excellent health and the crucial need for her presence on the court during these challenging times. As the court's senior liberal justice, some progressives have suggested that her retirement would allow Biden to nominate a replacement and maintain a reliable liberal vote on the bench. However, discussions about Justice Sotomayor stepping down have not progressed.
The process of nominating and confirming a Supreme Court justice is time-consuming, often taking several months. Given the limited timeframe before the GOP assumes control of the Senate in early January, it is unlikely that Biden would be able to secure a confirmation for a new justice before Trump's term ends.
Despite being 70 years old and living with Type 1 diabetes, Justice Sotomayor continues to be an active and engaged member of the court. Known for her rigorous questioning during oral arguments, she has maintained a visible presence in public engagements in recent months.
Comparisons have been drawn to the situation with the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who faced similar calls to retire during Obama's presidency but chose to remain on the bench. Ginsburg's passing in 2020 at the age of 87 provided Trump with the opportunity to appoint a third justice to the Supreme Court.
