Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor candidly shared her daily frustration with the court’s conservative supermajority at a University of California, Berkeley School of Law event. She acknowledged feeling traumatized by losses but emphasized the necessity of resilience in the face of adversity, urging people not to succumb to despair. Sotomayor addressed students’ discouragement amid the court’s rightward shift, emphasizing that positive change requires persistence and time.
As the conservative-leaning court prepares to issue rulings on contentious issues like gun rights and federal agency power, Sotomayor highlighted the challenges faced by the liberal justices. She has frequently voiced her opposition to decisions made since former President Donald Trump appointed three conservative justices, expressing deep sadness over recent rulings.
In response to the court’s recent approval of Alabama’s first-ever execution by nitrogen gas, Sotomayor strongly dissented, condemning the move as an experimental and inhumane method. She lamented the court’s decision, emphasizing the potential for serious consequences in experimenting with human lives.
The Justice also touched on the influence of oral arguments on justices’ votes and criticized criminal defense attorneys who, in her view, sometimes fail to adequately advocate for their clients before the Supreme Court. She stressed the importance of presenting legal issues effectively to avoid negatively impacting broader legal developments.
Despite the setbacks and frustrations, Sotomayor urged the audience to recognize the collective power to effect change and uphold justice. The justice’s candid remarks reflect the broader challenges faced by the liberal bloc as they find themselves on the losing side in pivotal cases, highlighting the need for perseverance and commitment to the principles of justice.
