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“One of the things that is troubling so many right now is many of the standards being changed right now were norms that governed officials into what was right and wrong,” Sotomayor said Friday night, as reported by The Washington Post. “Once norms are broken, then you are shaking some of the foundation of the rule of law.”
She further stressed the role of citizens in maintaining democratic institutions, stating, “We are going to have to go back to reminding people what the fundamentals of their obligations as citizens [are] and their obligation to monitor public representatives.”
Her comments appeared to align with previous criticisms of Trump’s stance on the judiciary. Trump has repeatedly argued that liberal judges are using their positions to obstruct his policies, preventing him from enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security. The former president has pointed to repeated instances where left-leaning judges blocked executive orders, often forcing legal battles that dragged on for months.
Sotomayor also recalled advice from a member of Canada’s Supreme Court, emphasizing the role of judges in upholding democracy. “That is really at the end what judges should do, but in the end it’s what every citizen should do: ensure that the courts are fearlessly independent,” she said. “That we understand that our obligation is to protect the rights given to us under the Constitution.”
The Supreme Court justice’s remarks follow a rare rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts earlier this month, who defended the judiciary against Trump’s criticism. Roberts dismissed Trump’s call for impeachment of certain judges, saying it was “not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”
“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose,” Roberts stated.
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Trump and his supporters argue that the judiciary has been weaponized by activist judges who prioritize partisan agendas over constitutional law. This latest pushback from Sotomayor and Roberts highlights an ongoing rift between conservative leaders and the judiciary, as legal battles over immigration, executive authority, and federal regulations continue to shape the political landscape.
While Trump remains a dominant force in Republican politics, his clashes with the judiciary suggest that the fight over the balance of power between the executive branch and the courts is far from over. As 2024 approaches, legal and political battles are sure to intensify, with the judiciary continuing to play a critical role in the future of Trump’s America First movement.
