In a not-so-subtle dig at the current political climate, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered a pointed message on Thursday evening, indirectly referencing President Trump during her address at an American Bar Association event in Washington, D.C.
Sotomayor urged the legal community to rise against what she described as “unprecedented attacks,” emphasizing the critical role of lawyers in advocating for those unable to advocate for themselves. “Our job is to be the champion of lost causes,” she declared, alluding to Trump’s controversial executive directives aimed at undermining certain legal institutions.
“But right now, we can’t afford to lose the battles we are facing. We need lawyers who are not only trained but also passionate and committed to this fight,” Sotomayor stated, according to reports from the Associated Press.
This call to action from Sotomayor follows a recent public reprimand of Trump by Chief Justice John Roberts, who, in a rare public moment, reiterated the judiciary’s independence during a fireside chat celebrating the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.
Roberts, in what seems to be an ongoing series of rebukes of Trump, asserted that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement with judicial decisions. “Impeachment is not how you register disagreement with decisions,” he said, addressing a gathering of judges and lawyers. “That’s what we’re here for.”
He further emphasized the judiciary’s role as a co-equal branch of government, underscoring its authority to interpret the Constitution and, when necessary, invalidate actions from Congress or the presidency. “The judiciary is a co-equal branch of government, separate from the others,” Roberts explained, reinforcing the principle of checks and balances that is foundational to U.S. governance.
