Staff Reports
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the left’s courtroom heavyweights, just put the kibosh on some Democrats’ late-night scheming to kick her off the Supreme Court before they lose their grip on the Senate. Rumor has it these last-minute maneuverings stem from their fear of what might happen when Donald Trump reclaims the Oval Office, which, let’s face it, is on the minds of many on the left.
Sotomayor, at the ripe age of 70, is the third oldest of the current justices and has faced mounting pressure to step down while President Biden still has the chance to appoint a replacement. Ever since her appointment by Barack Obama back in 2009, she has been vocal about her struggles with Type 1 Diabetes, making her a target for Democrats who suddenly think they can swap her out before it’s too late. Apparently, the thought of Trump’s potential next batch of judicial picks sends shivers down their spines.
Democrats can “mull” over wanting her to retire from the Supreme Court all they want, but their goal is to replace her w/ a Dem. She’ll decide. She’s a smart woman w/ all her faculties! Back OFF Democrats🖕🏻Biden’s legacy is already in the dumpster. Has been for 40 yrs! Loser. pic.twitter.com/exElGevOH0
— Say what Shelly (@what_shelly) November 8, 2024
During Trump’s first term, he managed to fill three vacancies, reshaping the Court to a more conservative slant by adding Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Now, as he approaches a potential second term, whispers have emerged that Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito might also consider retirement, giving Trump even more opportunity to shift the judicial landscape. The thought of a Trump-appointed Justice sending the court even further right sends many Democrats spiraling into panic mode at the thought of losing their liberal supermajority.
Not surprisingly, an aide to a Senate Democrat blurted out that discussions of replacing Sotomayor are buzzing in the halls of power. Yet, there’s a significant catch. With time against them and shaky support from their rank and file, Democrats may find this plot to be less feasible than they’d like to believe. It turns out, the supposed plan to have Sotomayor resign conditionally based on who gets nominated to replace her is riddled with uncertainties and political minefields.
While Joe Manchin likely won’t back any hasty moves to yank Sotomayor from her seat, Bernie Sanders has expressed doubts about the wisdom of such a strategy. He made it clear that while they might be convening over this possibility, stepping down is not something anyone would call a wise or sensible approach, especially considering that Sotomayor has reportedly no intention of leaving the court anytime soon. In a world where the left is desperate to protect their judicial gains, the prospect of Sotomayor’s resignation might just remain a fleeting wish rather than a pragmatic plan.
