Sotomayor Resists Retirement Amid Transition Pressure

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has no intention of retiring before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, despite pressure from some liberal activists and Democrats who want her to step down to allow President Joe Biden to appoint a successor. At 70 years old, Sotomayor remains in good health and is committed to serving as a vital liberal voice on the court as it faces an increasingly conservative tilt. Bernie Sanders and others have publicly stated that it is not sensible for her to resign, emphasizing the importance of her presence on the court. The calls for her retirement are partly driven by fears of a repeat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's scenario, where her death allowed Trump to nominate a conservative successor. Sotomayor's decision to stay has been confirmed by multiple sources close to her, stating that she is not yielding to public pressure campaigns, which could further politicize the court's image.