Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor just dropped a rare glimpse into the ideological battlefield of the nation’s highest court, revealing tensions with her conservative colleagues while pushing a message of finding common ground.
Fox News reported that on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Sotomayor made waves with appearances on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and "The View," discussing her struggles with the court's conservative majority, the fallout from major rulings, and her new children's book, "Just Shine! How to Be a Better You."
Starting her day on Colbert’s stage, Sotomayor didn’t shy away from admitting the frustration she feels with the court’s 6-3 conservative tilt. Appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed in 2009, she’s one of just three Democrat-nominated justices currently serving. That minority status clearly weighs heavily when decisions don’t align with her views.
While chatting with Colbert, Sotomayor reflected on a lesson from her mother about seeking the best in others. "She taught me to look for the best in people," she said. Well, that’s a noble goal, but it’s hard to imagine staying Zen when landmark precedents are being flipped faster than a pancake on a griddle.
She doubled down on that sentiment, adding, "That was the lesson that moment gave me, and it’s one I look for in my colleagues." Admirable, sure, but when the majority’s rulings clash with core progressive values, one wonders if she’s finding much "good" to cling to. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack of opposing opinions.
Sotomayor was candid about the strain, confessing, "I don’t agree with them much." She admitted to moments of wanting to bolt from the room, but stressed maintaining collegiality by focusing on their better qualities. That’s patience on a saintly level—most folks would’ve thrown in the towel by now.
Her appearance on Colbert wasn’t just a therapy session; she was there to promote her new children’s book, "Just Shine! How to Be a Better You." It’s a sweet message for kids, but the irony isn’t lost—teaching little ones to shine while she’s dimmed by court battles. Turns out, even justices have side hustles.
Later that day on "The View," the conversation shifted to heavier territory as Sotomayor tackled the court’s controversial decisions, like the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She didn’t mince words about the ripple effects of such rulings by the conservative majority. The stakes, as she sees it, are sky-high.
Co-host Sunny Hostin pressed her on the dangers to freedoms, asking why these decisions are so alarming. Sotomayor’s response was a stark warning about the erosion of established rights. It’s a fair point—once the foundation cracks, the whole house could come tumbling down.
She elaborated on the broader impact, stating, "The price we pay is whatever is happening today, as I indicated, is going to affect a lot of people." That’s not just a judicial opinion; it’s a cautionary tale for anyone who thinks today’s rulings won’t haunt tomorrow’s freedoms. Actions, as they say, have consequences.
Continuing her thought, Sotomayor warned, "It affects your future." She emphasized how changing legal precedents reshapes the rights people once took for granted. It’s a slippery slope—today’s loss could be tomorrow’s catastrophe.
She drove the point home by noting how each precedent shift alters the landscape of rights. "Once you take that away, think of how much more is at risk later," she told the hosts. That’s a sobering reality check for those who assume the court’s decisions are just abstract debates.
Despite her clear frustration, Sotomayor’s push to find "good" in her colleagues is a nod to keeping the court functional, even if it feels like herding cats with opposing worldviews. It’s a tough balancing act—criticizing decisions while trying not to burn bridges. Most of us would struggle to keep that cool under pressure.
Her appearances highlight a deeper tension in today’s judiciary, where ideological divides often overshadow any hope of consensus.
While she warns of the long-term fallout from conservative rulings, her effort to maintain civility is a reminder that even bitter disagreements don’t have to poison personal respect. Perhaps there’s a lesson there for a polarized nation—if only we’d listen.
