Bernie Sanders Says Dems Pushing Sotomayor to Retire Before Trump Takes Office Aren’t ‘Sensible’

Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Sunday contradicted some calls from the left and Democrats for liberal Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to step down now that Donald Trump has won the presidential election and will soon take office.

The idea behind pushing for Sotomayor to leave the court is that President Joe Biden would be able to nominate the next Justice, rather than leaving that for Trump to do over the next four years as the older liberals, including 70-year-old Sotomayor, eventually step aside.

When asked about the idea by NBC’s Kristen Welker on Sunday’s Meet the Press, Sanders was not on board – and seemed to imply that it’s not a very widely supported option.

“Some Democrats behind the scenes quietly talking about the possibility should Justice Sotomayor step down to allow President Biden to appoint someone who’s younger. She’s only 70 years old. Is that something that you would support? Do you think she should step down?” asked Welker.

“No, I don’t,” Sanders answered quickly and without elaboration.

Welker waited a beat for more before asking, “Have you heard any talk of this?”

“A little bit, yes,” said Sanders dismissively. “I don’t think it’s a sensible approach.”

However despite the downplaying, Politico reported last week that the talk among not just liberal activists but seated Democrats, is serious enough that potential replacement names are already being floated, including D.C. Circuit Judge J. Michelle Childs.

CNN reports that the Justice has no interest in stepping down, quoting someone “close” to Sotomayor as saying, “She’s in great health, and the court needs her now more than ever.”

WELKER: Senator, quickly before I let you go, I do want to ask you about the Supreme Court. Some Democrats behind the scenes quietly talking about the possibility should Justice Sotomayor step down to allow President Biden to appoint someone who’s younger. She’s only 70 years old. Is that something that you would support? Do you think she should step down?

SANDERS: No, I don’t.

WELKER: Have you heard any talk of this?

SANDERS: A little bit, yes. I don’t think it’s a sensible approach.

WELKER: And you don’t think it’s a sensible approach.

SANDERS: Correct.

WELKER: All right. Senator Bernie Sanders, thank you very much for your time this morning and your perspective. We really appreciate it.

SANDERS: Thank you–

Watch the clip above via Meet the Press from NBC News.