Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said Saturday that she hopes the high court will overturn its recent decision granting former presidents broad criminal immunity, calling some of the court's rulings "crazy things."
Speaking at a civics education event at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, the liberal justice made her first public comments on the immunity decision since it was handed down. She also touched on the midterm elections, noting the high voter turnout without directly referencing the Democratic sweep.
"We saw the outpouring of voters on Tuesday," Sotomayor said, adding, "I tell people all the time, there's no excuse for not voting. There just isn't. Apathy is not acceptable."
The justice's remarks came during an hourlong appearance as part of a multi-day celebration at the first president's estate marking the nation's 250th anniversary. She focused largely on the importance of civics education, a cause she champions as a board member of iCivics, the group founded by the late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Sotomayor expressed concern about the state of democracy, saying it would take "some hard work" for the country to return to an "even keel." She acknowledged that the court has undergone "systemic changes" in its jurisprudence across many areas of law.
"We'll settle down, too. Not quite sure when. But we will. And a new order will be established that people will begin to understand," she said.
The justice specifically criticized the 6-3 conservative majority's ruling that former presidents enjoy at least presumptive immunity for official acts. In her dissent, she wrote that the decision makes President Trump and his successors a "king above the law."
"I dissent a lot. I'm hoping that the court will take back some of the crazy things that it's done. I'm only joking — maybe not," Sotomayor told the audience, drawing laughter. She continued, "No, seriously. You know, I've spoken openly about this, there's some opinions that I hope in my lifetime will get overturned. The immunity case is one of them."
Her comments come as the court faces ongoing scrutiny over its conservative direction, with some analysts speculating about potential retirements among conservative justices. The immunity ruling has already had legal ripple effects, including in Trump's bid to overturn his hush money conviction. Meanwhile, the court is also set to hear new cases that could test past rulings, such as the Janus decision in union speech laws.
Sotomayor's remarks underscore the deep ideological divide on the bench and her willingness to speak out on contentious rulings, even as she emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and understanding the judicial process.
