Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(149,818 posts)
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 07:50 AM Saturday

Justice Sotomayor warns about arbitrary power' as she defends the rule of law

Source: USA Today

Published 8:25 p.m. ET March 28, 2025 | Updated 8:44 p.m. ET March 28, 2025


WASHINGTON − Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor on Friday stressed the importance of an independent judiciary and the rule of law, warning in comments at a law school about “arbitrary power.” “Arbitrary power is just that, and it means that anyone is going to be subject to unfairness at someone else’s whim," she said during a conversation with students at Georgetown Law School. "You have to be worried about the day that will turn on you."

Sotomayor, the most senior of the court’s three liberal justices, did not mention any specific concern. But her comments came as President Donald Trump has called for impeaching a judge whose decision he disagreed with and has punished law firms whose lawyers have fought him in court.

Georgetown Law Dean William M. Treanor, who asked Sotomayor questions that students had submitted in advance, said students were most interested in the role of courts in safeguarding the rule of law. Sotomayor said protecting the rule of law includes society abiding by standards she said are fundamental to existence.

“Right now, I understand there’s a lot of questions about what that means and what are our common norms,” she said. “But once we lose our common norms, we’ve lost the rule of law completely.” Law schools and judges, she said, have to explain more than ever why judicial independence is critical to freedom. “The fact that some of our public leaders are lawyers making statements challenging the rule of law, tells me that fundamentally our law schools are failing,” she said.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/28/justice-sotomayor-rule-of-law-trump/82712357007/

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Justice Sotomayor warns about arbitrary power' as she defends the rule of law (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Saturday OP
She can thank her fellow conservative justices for augmenting the fascist agenda mdbl Saturday #1
That's it? Warning us about arbitrary power at a lecture??? travelingthrulife Saturday #2
What do you think she can do unilaterally? onenote Saturday #6
Maybe the heritage foundation has something to do with that? UpInArms Saturday #3
You got to wonder when pedo Trump Farmer-Rick Saturday #4
Please stay safe and healthy, Justice Sotomayor Mysterian Saturday #5

mdbl

(6,022 posts)
1. She can thank her fellow conservative justices for augmenting the fascist agenda
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 08:44 AM
Saturday

They ruled that the President is above the law. Why should he care now? All he does is pardon criminals that give him money. The entire office has become a quid pro quo.

travelingthrulife

(1,921 posts)
2. That's it? Warning us about arbitrary power at a lecture???
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 08:44 AM
Saturday

What good is this? Do you know you are a co-equal branch of government over there?

UpInArms

(52,421 posts)
3. Maybe the heritage foundation has something to do with that?
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 08:46 AM
Saturday
lawyers making statements challenging the rule of law

Farmer-Rick

(11,708 posts)
4. You got to wonder when pedo Trump
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 10:35 AM
Saturday

And his drug monkey Musk are going to figure out how to stop paying federal judges, including the Supremes???? What's the use of courts when you got a Nazi dictator and traitor with immunity in power?

Those judges who disagree with the pedophile in charge are going to see a major change in their paychecks in about 30 days.

Yeah, yeah, that's expressly forbidden in the US Constitution. That silly piece of paper no one pays any attention to?

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Justice Sotomayor warns a...