According to a Politico report, Democrats are quietly renewing calls for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to retire before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Trump appointed three Supreme Court Justices during his first term: Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, and Neil Gorsuch.
Trump will take office in January, leaving Democrats little-to-no time.
“She can sort of resign conditionally on someone being appointed to replace her,” a Democratic senator told Politico Playbook. “But she can’t resign conditioned on a specific person. What happens if she resigns and the nominee to replace her isn’t confirmed, and the next president fills the vacancy?”
From Fox News:
The Democrat also told the outlet that there remain two top concerns about the idea: confirming a new justice under Congress’ already packed schedule and whether any members would be willing to go on the record against Sotomayor.
Proponents of the idea would have to guarantee enough Senate votes to ensure a quick confirmation before Trump takes office, which one source told Playbook, could face a potential roadblock from members such as retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., if they do not support the replacement.
Those discussing a potential replacement for Sotomayor are already eyeing D.C. Circuit Judge J. Michelle Childs, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2009.
The Democrats are also considering focusing their remaining time in leadership on the appointment of lower-court judges waiting to be confirmed.
This story is developing…
Justice Sonia Sotomayor faces pressure to retire ahead of Trump taking office: report https://t.co/MMUSWK6gkr
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