Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) disagreed with the idea of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor stepping down, arguing that it would not be a “sensible approach,” especially as discussions about potentially packing the court arise with President-elect Trump’s imminent inauguration.
During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press with host Kristen Welker on Sunday, Sanders addressed the topic when asked for his opinion on the matter. Welker questioned whether Sanders supported the notion of Sotomayor stepping down, asking, “Is that something you would support?”
Supreme Court needs her now more than ever, say sources close to Sotomayor
His response was clear: “No, I don’t,” Sanders stated firmly. When pressed further by Welker about whether he had heard any discussion surrounding the idea, Sanders acknowledged, “A little bit, yes,” but reiterated, “I don’t think it’s a sensible approach.”
Sotomayor, who is 70, has publicly affirmed she has no intention of stepping down from the Supreme Court. According to CNN, sources close to the justice confirmed this stance on Sunday.
On the left, some have advocated for President Biden to appoint a younger successor for Sotomayor before Trump assumes office, with the argument that the court could benefit from a new, long-term appointment. However, a source close to Sotomayor told CNN that she is in “great health” and emphasized that “the court needs her now more than ever.”
With just 71 days until Trump’s inauguration, concerns have surfaced that the time required for a Supreme Court nomination could be too lengthy, potentially leaving an open seat that would allow the president-elect to appoint a conservative justice.
