Top Democratic officials say the story of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor retiring and being filled before President-elect Donald Trump takes office is “baseless speculation” and not “realistic.”
Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) made the comments to Politico following reports that Democrats are discussing whether to ask the 70-year-old to vacate his seat. He returned to the White House in January.
“No matter who made the call, [for a retirement] I can't count,” Durbin said. he told Politico. “Look at your calendar and tell me how on earth can we accomplish that without putting on hold the budget and the National Defense Authorization Act and all the other things that need to be done? I don't think that's a realistic idea.”
Last week, a Democratic senator also told Politico: “She can resign with the condition that someone is appointed to replace her, but she can't resign with the condition that someone is appointed to replace her. If she resigns, “What will happen if no replacement candidate is nominated?” Will the next president fill the vacancy even though it has not been confirmed? ”
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Sen. Dick Durbin (left) casts doubt on talk that Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (right) will be removed before President Trump takes office again. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Sotomayor is one of three Supreme Court justices appointed by Democratic presidents.
The Democratic Party will lose the Senate majority to the Republicans in the 2024 election, and only about two months remain in the House of Representatives.
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Sonia Sotomayor is one of three Supreme Court justices appointed by Democratic presidents. (Pablo Cuadra)
A source close to Sotomayor said recently. wall street journal She said she has no intention of backing down from her position.
Democrats are reportedly concerned that President-elect Donald Trump may appoint a new conservative-leaning Supreme Court justice. (AP/Evan Vucci)
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“This is not the time to lose her important voice on the court. She just turned 70 and takes better care of herself than anyone I know,” a source told the paper. spoke.
Fox News' Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.
