Kamala Harris floated to replace US Supreme Court Justice

A bold proposal from a prominent liberal commentator has sent shockwaves through the political world: Should Kamala Harris replace Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the U.S. Supreme Court?

Bakari Sellers, a CNN pundit and former South Carolina lawmaker, raised eyebrows Sunday with a suggestion that progressives should pressure the 70-year-old Sotomayor, who has been battling health concerns, to step down while Democrats still hold power in Washington.

“Sotomayor needs to resign,” Sellers wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The court is currently 6-3. [Her resignation] would limit Trump’s ability to make it 7-2. It’s silly to believe there is no difference.”

Sellers argued that a swift replacement could be secured, citing the rapid confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett in 2020. “You have very good previously vetted candidates… Sri Srinivasan, Robert Wilkins, Michelle Childs, and yes, Kamala Harris (though she likely doesn’t get Manchin’s vote),” Sellers added, naming the vice president as a potential candidate despite the political challenges.

Democrats currently control the White House and Senate, but their grip on power will weaken come January, making this window of opportunity crucial for reshaping the Supreme Court. While the idea of nominating Harris, 60, to the high court is bold, it remains unclear whether she would be receptive to the notion of stepping away from her vice-presidential duties.

Sellers is not alone in his concerns about Sotomayor’s health and longevity on the bench. In an interview with CNN, Sellers compared the situation to that of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose refusal to retire when Democrats had control of the Senate led to her death in 2020 and Trump’s ability to appoint a conservative replacement, cementing a 6-3 conservative majority.

“I don’t want Justice Sotomayor to be another Ruth Bader Ginsburg in terms of staying too long,” Sellers said, referencing the potential political consequences of a prolonged tenure.

Sotomayor has faced growing pressure from the left, especially with the looming threat of a Republican-controlled Senate and the possibility of Trump retaking the White House in 2024. Some Democrats are pushing for her to retire to ensure a liberal replacement before Trump or another Republican president has the chance to tip the balance of the court even further.

“This would probably be a good day for Sotomayor to retire,” said David Dayen, executive editor of the American Prospect, a left-leaning magazine. His remarks came after Trump’s stunning victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, which has sent Democrats scrambling to solidify their judicial influence.

But not everyone in the Democratic Party is on board with the idea. Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) voiced his opposition to the push for Sotomayor’s resignation. “No, I don’t think that’s the sensible approach,” Sanders said during a Meet the Press interview on Sunday. “I don’t think that’s the sensible approach,” he added, despite acknowledging the internal debate among Democrats.

While Sotomayor has not publicly commented on the mounting pressure, those close to her defend her tenure. “This is no time to lose her important voice on the court,” a source told the Wall Street Journal. “She just turned 70 and takes better care of herself than anyone I know.”

Sotomayor, appointed to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama in 2009, has become a staunch liberal voice on the bench, often providing emotional and impassioned arguments in cases involving civil rights and abortion. In late 2021, she famously questioned whether the court could “survive the stench” of overturning Roe v. Wade.

As discussions about Sotomayor’s future intensify, the fate of the Supreme Court hangs in the balance. Will Democrats push for a major shake-up, or will Sotomayor continue to wield her influence for years to come? The coming months will reveal the political strategies that may shape the judicial landscape for decades.