Summary

As Donald Trump prepares for a second term, progressive groups are concerned about Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s future on the Supreme Court.

Some activists hoped she would retire to allow President Biden to appoint a successor before Republicans take control of the Senate in January.

However, with Democrats’ narrow majority and opposition from Senator Joe Manchin, any replacement would face confirmation challenges.

Legal scholars and advocacy groups now view the window for Sotomayor’s retirement as closed and are focusing on confirming Biden’s remaining judicial nominees to lower federal courts before Republicans regain the Senate majority.