There is “uncertainty” in the country, and “being here with you is an act of solidarity,” Justice told the American Lawyers Council.
Supreme Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor told the lawyers’ meeting that lawyers need to “stoke up and fight this fight” amid intensifying criticism of some federal judges in the country.
Sotomayor made comments during an on-stage conversation on May 8th at the American Lawyers Conference at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.
The remarks made by Sotomayor came after members of his administration, President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans repeatedly criticised him in recent months after blocking or delaying the president’s agenda. Trump and some lawmakers accused the judge of stepping over their authority through such a ruling, and sought they to be fired up each.
Several federal judges said the Trump administration has not complied with various court orders regarding immigration enforcement, federal spending, the firing of government officials and foreign aid. The administration denied that it failed to comply with the order.
Sotomayor did not identify Trump or other office holders who criticized the judge’s ruling by name.
“Our job is to stand up for those who cannot do it on their own, and our job is to become advocates for a lost cause,” said the assistant judge, who joined the Supreme Court in 2009 after being appointed President Barack Obama.
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“But now we cannot lose the battle we face. And we need a passionate and dedicated lawyer who is trained to fight this battle.”
Sotomayor also praised “diversity.” She said, “Because everyone can believe it is possible to be in a position to help others.”
“In my role as a civil servant, I am more grateful to be able to continue serving all the communities and represent America as the best version of itself,” she said.
Sotomayor’s comments came after two high court colleagues recently issued an official statement directed at the judge’s criticism.
On May 7, Secretary John Roberts said independent judiciary is needed to check the power of the president and Congress.
Judicial independence, Roberts, who became Supreme Court justice in 2005 after being appointed President George W. Bush, said that judicial independence is “the only political science innovation in our constitution.”
Under the Constitution, “judiciality is an equal branch of the government and, apart from others, has the authority to interpret the Constitution as a law and as an act of Congress or the President,” he said.
“And that innovation doesn’t work… if the judiciary is not independent. The job is… to check for overabundance of Congress or executives, which requires some degree of independence.”
Roberts also said, “Erms each is not a way to register (judicial) decisions and disagreements.”
“That’s what we’re there,” he said in relation to the appeal process.
On May 1, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson said the recent criticism of the judge was a “attack on our democracy.”
“The attacks are not random. They seem to be designed to threaten us serving in this important capacity,” Jackson told a judicial meeting in Puerto Rico.
“Threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy, our system of government, and they risk ultimately undermining our constitution and the rule of law.”
Jackson sat in the High Court in June 2022 after being nominated for President Joe Biden.
