– Some progressives want Sonia Sotomayor to consider retiring from the Supreme Court to avoid a repeat of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s situation
– Elected Democrats in Congress, including progressives, have not joined the calls for Sotomayor’s retirement
– The arguments for Sotomayor’s retirement are based on speculation about her health, despite little indication that she is not healthy enough to serve
Progressive figures are calling for Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor to consider resigning from the Supreme Court, but so far, no elected Democrats in Congress have joined those calls. They argue that it’s important to avoid a repeat of what happened with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who resisted calls to retire during the Obama administration and was swiftly replaced by conservative Amy Coney Barrett. However, Sotomayor’s health has not shown any signs of faltering despite her type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
The possibility of a conservative-leaning court if former President Donald Trump wins or Republicans retake the Senate is a concern for those advocating for Sotomayor’s retirement. Some prominent progressives and media figures support her retirement, while Democratic senators like Richard Blumenthal have suggested she weighs the option. However, other Democrats in Congress oppose these calls, emphasizing the need to respect Sotomayor’s decision and health status.
Progressive Democrats like Rep. Jimmy Gomez and Rep. Chuy Garcia defend Sotomayor’s ability to serve on the Supreme Court, pointing out that the concerns may be an overreaction following the experience with Ginsburg. Overall, the debate around Sotomayor’s retirement remains limited to a few individuals and has not gained widespread support among Democratic lawmakers. In the event that Sotomayor’s health deteriorates significantly, some Democrats suggest they may reconsider their stance on her retirement.