Sotomayor Defends Judicial Independence Amid Trump’s Criticism

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor emphasized the crucial role of an independent judiciary in a speech to students at Georgetown Law Center on Friday, highlighting the need for resilience against the heightened rhetoric from the Trump administration aimed at judges who have challenged its policies.

Sotomayor articulated the necessity of ensuring that courts remain independent, stating, “We have to get up and explain and repeat and explain again why judicial independence is critical to everyone’s freedom, because arbitrary power is just that, and it means that anyone is going to be subject to unfairness at someone else’s whim.” This statement comes amid ongoing tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary.

While she refrained from directly commenting on the aggressive actions and criticisms directed at the judiciary by President Trump and his allies, Sotomayor underscored that the rule of law extends beyond mere adherence to written statutes and constitutional guidelines. She described it as a broader societal commitment to uphold fundamental norms essential to democracy.

“Once norms are broken, then you’re shaking some of the foundation,” she cautioned, reflecting on the implications of disregarding judicial traditions. This warning has gained significance as the Trump administration has faced increased barriers from federal judges regarding its expedited agenda, particularly on immigration reform and efforts to reduce the size of the federal government.

In response to the administration’s setbacks in court, Trump and his supporters have openly criticized specific judges and suggested possibilities of impeachment for those who rule against the administration’s policies. Such rhetoric prompted Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a statement earlier this month, asserting that “impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”

Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the administration’s compliance with court orders, with critics warning that the U.S. could be edging toward a troubling constitutional crisis.

Lawrence Hurley is a senior Supreme Court reporter for NBC News.