Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, at age 70, has expressed her intention to remain on the bench, dismissing the idea of stepping down to make way for a younger liberal successor or possibly Kamala Harris, according to The Wall Street Journal.

This decision comes as liberals on the court find themselves in the minority, outnumbered by the court's six conservative justices following recent high-profile rulings, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which returned decisions on abortion rights to individual states.

Image Credit: © Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
Members of the Supreme Court pose for a group photo on Oct. 7, 2022 in Washington, DC, USA at the Supreme Court. Seated from left: Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr., Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. and Associate Justice Elena Kagan Standing behind from left: Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

An anonymous source close to Sotomayor, speaking to The Journal, stated, “This is no time to lose her important voice on the court. She just turned 70 and takes better care of herself than anyone I know.”

Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement

MORE NEWS: Biden Judge Halts Trump’s Order To Purge Woke Propaganda From National Parks

Despite pressure from some liberals who would prefer Sotomayor to retire sooner rather than later, she appears committed to staying on the bench for the foreseeable future.

Recent calls for Sotomayor’s retirement are reminiscent of the urging directed at Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to step down during the Obama administration.

Ginsburg ultimately chose not to resign, passing away at age 87 in 2020. Her decision not to retire allowed former President Donald Trump to nominate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, further solidifying the conservative majority on the court.

Ginsburg’s passing and Barrett’s appointment highlighted the influence that timing and presidential appointments have on the ideological balance of the Supreme Court.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Following ongoing debates over border security and immigration policy in 2026, do you support stricter enforcement measures?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from RVM News, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

David Dayen, executive editor of the liberal magazine The American Prospect, referenced Ginsburg's case and urged Sotomayor to retire, noting the political stakes. “This would probably be a good day for Sotomayor to retire,” he wrote.

Legal scholars have also weighed in on the situation. Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, previously encouraged Ginsburg to retire during the Obama administration, and he sees the current circumstances as even more complex.

In a statement to The Journal, he noted, “It is far more uncertain that the Democrats could confirm a successor than in summer 2014.” He pointed out that Sotomayor is now 70, a decade younger than Ginsburg was when he first suggested her retirement.

The current political landscape and the composition of the Senate add another layer of uncertainty for Democrats who may hope to see a liberal successor.

Close

MORE NEWS: Knicks Fans Turn Times Square Into Chaos As School Bus Torched In Wild Riot [WATCH]

With a conservative majority in the Senate and Republican control of the presidency, the possibility of confirming a liberal justice is increasingly unlikely, and Democrats fear missing an opportunity to appoint a younger liberal voice to the bench.

Sotomayor, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009, is the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Known for her strong stances on issues related to social justice, immigration, and voting rights, she is a key liberal voice on the court, often writing dissenting opinions on cases with significant social and political implications.

Her decision to stay on the court signals her commitment to influencing judicial discourse on these issues as long as she is able.

The debate over Sotomayor’s tenure reflects broader concerns among liberals over the future direction of the Supreme Court and the limited ability of the minority bloc to counter the decisions of the conservative majority.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.