Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor admitted to the audience at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute on Friday that she sometimes finds herself in tears over the decisions of the conservative-dominated Supreme Court. Sotomayor, 69, one of the three remaining Democrat-appointed justices alongside Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, has often been in the minority on the court. This conservative tilt was heightened by the court’s 6-3 majority, leading to decisions such as the repeal of Roe v. Wade.

During her talk, Sotomayor stated, “There are days that I’ve come to my office after an announcement of a case and closed my door and cried,” and added that there are likely to be more such days as the court continues to issue contentious rulings. She did not specify the cases that brought her to tears but expressed deep sadness and desperation, emphasizing the need to accept and move past these emotions.

Speculation about Sotomayor’s potential retirement has surfaced, with some Democrats urging her to step down while the White House and Senate are under Democratic control. Journalist Josh Barro, writing in The Atlantic, suggested that Sotomayor should retire to prevent the conservative majority from growing further should former President Donald Trump or Senate Republicans gain control. However, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the decision to retire is Sotomayor’s personal choice.

Since the June 2021 Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats have been concerned about the future composition of the Supreme Court. During his term, Trump appointed three justices, increasing the conservative majority. Justice Neil Gorsuch replaced the late Antonin Scalia, Brett Kavanaugh replaced the retiring Anthony Kennedy, and Amy Coney Barrett replaced the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg shortly before the 2020 election.

Sotomayor, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009 as the first Latina justice, has openly discussed her frustrations with the court’s direction, yet remains committed to her role despite the difficulties she faces.