Jonathan Turley Slams Treatment of Justice Sotomayor

In a recent appearance on Laura Ingraham’s show, Washington George Washington University law professor and Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley expressed concern over the treatment of Justice Sotomayor and the diminishing respect for the Supreme Court as an institution. The conversation also touched upon the push for Judge Marchand’s recusal and the hush money case involving former President Trump. Turley and Ingraham examined the inconsistency displayed by some Democrats in their views on Sotomayor and the implications of reducing justices to their political leanings.

The discussion began with Ingraham referring to the pressure campaign against Justice Sotomayor, highlighting the contrasting opinions held by various Democrats when she was nominated. Turley pointed out the “amazing transformation” in how Sotomayor went from being celebrated as the “wise Latina” to being treated as expendable. He emphasized the need to recognize individual justices’ contributions beyond their ideological alignment and cautioned against solely relying on age and ideology when making appointments.

Ingraham drew a connection between the attacks on Sotomayor and the doubts surrounding President Biden’s judgment. Turley remarked that this signaled a departure from the traditional notion of the Supreme Court as an institution above political turmoil. He highlighted the concerning nature of billboards urging Justice Breyer to resign and the lack of respect displayed by some professors and deans towards the justices.

The conversation touched on the perception of justices as mere activists or replaceable figures, which Ingraham attributed to a prevailing desire for change within the Biden administration. Turley argued that ageism seemed to play a role in these criticisms and highlighted Sotomayor’s mental and physical fitness, contrasting her situation with Justice Ginsburg’s health issues at a similar age.

Ingraham concluded the segment expressing her support for Justice Sotomayor, despite her political differences, as she felt it was unfair to judge justices solely on their age. Turley echoed this sentiment, highlighting the irony of ageist arguments while calling for a return to respect for the Supreme Court.

The exchange between Turley and Ingraham highlighted the divisiveness surrounding Supreme Court justice appointments and the erosion of institutional respect. Turley’s emphasis on individual contributions and his warning against reducing justices to their political leanings aimed to highlight the complexities and responsibilities associated with the role of a Supreme Court justice.

As the conversation revealed, the treatment of justices and the way their decisions are perceived can vary dramatically depending on the political climate and personal biases. It serves as a reminder of the importance of fair, open-minded evaluation of justices and their contributions to a system that is designed to uphold justice and the rule of law above partisan interests.