Amid discussions on Justice Sonia Sotomayor's potential retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court, key political figures and commentators have voiced their opinions. Senator Dick Durbin expressed his support for Sotomayor to remain on the bench, stating, "I don't think there's anything I know about her medical condition that would disqualify her from continuing...I don't see any reason why she wouldn't" keep serving. Representative Ritchie praised Sotomayor as a trailblazer for the Latino community and a dedicated public servant, while others highlighted the underrepresentation of Hispanics in significant positions and condemned the pressure for her retirement. Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized that the decision should solely be Sotomayor's, saying, "Justice Sotomayor should make her own decisions. It should be completely up to her what she does. I'm not saying she should resign." The National Review and others argued against the push for her resignation, noting, "Sonia Sotomayor, don't listen to all those negative nellies and bean-counting bigots telling you to resign from the Supreme Court immediately, while Democrats still hold both the White House and the Senate." The discourse also touches on the politicization of Sotomayor's identity with phrases like "decision...will be made as a wise Latina" and the potential electoral considerations behind a retirement decision, suggesting that if Sotomayor retired, President Biden would likely nominate another Latina judge, which could help him in an election year.
I recommended Judge Susan Bazis to the White House because of her skill, expertise, & integrity. Her record speaks for itself, with decades of experience administering justice, upholding the law, and defending our Constitution. The Senate did the right thing by confirming her.
Fetterman on Sotomayor: “I have no opinion on anyone else’s ability to retire unless it’s that sleazeball Menendez, he should resign.”
Cynical take I haven't seen yet: If Sotomayor retired, Biden would v likely nominate another Latina judge, which could help him in an election year. Dems believed that anti-Sotomayor commentary in 2009 helped them with Latinos in 2012. https://t.co/9kprbqirBz https://t.co/ieWS18yArP
I really had no opinion on Sotomayor's retirement (or lack thereof) but the politicization of identity with the word salad of "decision...will be made as a wise Latina" is really Not It. https://t.co/3noWFuPVFr
Sonia Sotomayor, don't listen to all those negative nellies and bean-counting bigots telling you to resign from the Supreme Court immediately, while Democrats still hold both the White House and the Senate. | @EsotericCD https://t.co/Dl5gRt41JQ
Blumenthal when asked about criticism by some Democrats of his comments about Sotomayor: “Justice Sotomayor should make her own decisions. It should be completely up to her what she does. I'm not saying she should resign,” he says
Hispanics are underrepresented, and almost invisible, in far too many places. Shame on those that want to extend that to the US Supreme Court, by asking the highest ranking Latina in government to retire. https://t.co/7UOjNPn4y2
Justice Sotomayor is trailblazer for the Latino community, and a fighter from the Bronx. She serves our country honorably, and has every right to continue to do so. https://t.co/AWV5qAtAhA
Durbin says Sotomayor should stay on the bench. "I don't think there's anything I know about her medical condition that would disqualify her from continuing...I don't see any reason why she wouldn't" keep serving, he tells @sahilkapur