Washington (AP) —Two Supreme Court judges who most often disagree about the outcome of the case say they still strive to convince each other and sometimes succeed. Judges Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett commented in a pre-recorded conversation that was first released Thursday night.
Conservative Barrett and liberal Sotomayor were on the other side of last month’s ruling. Stripped women’s constitutional protection for abortion..They also disagreed on where the court would decide. Expanded gun rights When Lowering barriers to religion in public life.. But at some point Barrett said: We do so. “
“One of the wonders of being in the Supreme Court is knowing that all of our colleagues are equally passionate about the Constitution, our government system, and just like me. I think. We may disagree about how to get there, and we often do, but that doesn’t mean I see them and say, “You’re a bad guy.” “I admit it’s a disagreement,” Sotomayor said. “I’ll do my best to see it in my own way and convince them to correct their mistakes.”
“Same as above,” Barrett said, and both laughed.
Regarding persuading each other, Barrett said: Judge Soto Mayor persuaded me. We try to work together behind the scenes, but we don’t get in and make decisions or lock in. We work a lot together, talk, and as you know, we change our minds. “
This event is the first time a judge has jointly appeared. Barrett, the appointed president of President Donald Trump, joined the court in 2020. Sotomayor, the appointed president of President Barack Obama, has been in court since 2009. Sotomayor is the first Hispanic justice in court. They are the third and fifth female judges in the court.
They also talked about how the court, which is now divided into 6 to 3 between conservatives and liberals, works to promote collegiality. There is a rule that they celebrate their birthday with a toast and a “Happy Birthday” round, waving each other’s justice when they get together and have lunch together, and they can’t talk about work. .. Sotomayor said he was absent from these lunches due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Sotomayor and Barrett answered a question from Achille Reed Amar, a professor of law at Yale, for about an hour as part of an educational summit hosted by the Ronald Reagan Center for Citizens’ Education Opportunities. The two did not specifically talk about any incident, and most of the conversation focused on education and public involvement. The answer to that question was no for both.
Former judge Sotomayor talked about the importance of jury services, calling it “one of the few responsibilities to be fulfilled as a citizen.” “Many people and friends have called me and said:” I received a jury trial notice. Can you get it to me? And my answer is that I can’t, but I don’t want to. “
When talking about civic participation, Barrett said her parents’ garage was a polling place when she was young. She also said that one of her seven children turned 18 in the fall and was uncertain about voting, especially wondering if she had time to learn everything she needed. Said. Barrett convinced her that one of her younger brothers needed her, she said.
“You have the right to vote now. Barrett said his 11-year-old daughter Juliet said.” She voted because she couldn’t disappoint her sister. “
Returning to the court at the end of the conversation, Mr. Sotmayor said he would require the audience to take one Supreme Court decision they disagree with or agree with and read it from start to finish. “Every presentation has two sides, and it’s important that you actually sat down and thought about it completely before you chose the side,” she said.
“I sincerely agree,” Barrett said.