In a recent discussion on social media, liberal pundit Bakari Sellers suggested that US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor should resign and be replaced by failed presidential candidate Kamala Harris while the Democrats remain in power. Sellers emphasized the importance of maintaining a liberal majority on the court and proposed potential candidates for the position, including Harris and several others. However, it is uncertain if Harris would be interested in becoming a justice, given her current role as Vice President.
Presidents often nominate experienced judges to the Supreme Court, but there have been exceptions in the past. Some progressives have entertained the idea of former President Barack Obama serving on the court. Sellers expressed concerns about Sotomayor potentially staying in her position for too long, citing similarities to late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The possibility of Sotomayor stepping down or retiring in the near future is a topic of discussion among Democrats.
Sotomayor, who is one of the most senior liberal justices on the bench, has faced health issues in the past and has expressed feeling overwhelmed by her workload. Despite mounting pressure from Democrats for her to resign, Sotomayor has not publicly commented on the matter. Supporters of the justice have defended her, praising her work ethic and commitment to her role on the court. However, concerns about the potential implications of Sotomayor staying on the bench for an extended period, as well as her health and age, continue to fuel the debate.
Progressives are wary of a scenario similar to Ginsburg’s, where a liberal justice remains on the bench too long, leading to a Republican-appointed replacement. Pressure against Sotomayor has increased following Republican victories in the recent election, which could impact the balance of power on the Supreme Court. Some Democrats are considering the possibility of urging Sotomayor to resign before the next presidential election, to prevent a potential GOP appointment to the court.
Amidst the discussions about Sotomayor’s potential resignation, Senator Bernie Sanders has voiced opposition to the idea, stating that he believes it is not a sensible approach. Sanders acknowledges the efforts to encourage Sotomayor to step down but does not support the move. Sotomayor, who was appointed to the court by President Obama in 2009, is known as a strong liberal voice on the bench and has been vocal on issues like abortion rights. The future of the Supreme Court and the influence of conservative justices like Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito are also being closely monitored by GOP operatives as the current term of the court progresses.
