United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, seen in a 2022 photo, drew harsh reactions from many after comparing the risks of gender-transition surgery to that of taking an aspirin. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
By Michael Schwarz December 4, 2024 at 2:03pm
In 1857, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney ruled that black men had no rights that white men needed to respect.
In other words, do not look for infallible wisdom from the Supreme Court. Moreover, do not assume that the madness that grips people in one era will necessarily persist for all time.
On Wednesday, liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor likened medical treatments for transgender minors to taking aspirin — a jaw-dropping comparison that triggered calls for impeachment on the social media platform X and one that should leave our descendants scratching their heads in disbelief.
Sotomayor’s comment came during arguments over a Tennessee law that bans puberty blockers or hormone therapy for minors. According to CBS, the high court’s conservative majority “appeared sympathetic” to Tennessee’s defense of the law.
Tennessee Solicitor General Matthew Rice, making his first appearance before SCOTUS, helped argue that defense, according to Bloomberg Law.
“The question of how many minors have to have their bodies irreparably harmed for unproven benefits is one that is best left for the legislature,” Rice said in a C-SPAN audio clip posted to X.
“I’m sorry, counselor,” Sotomayor said, interrupting Rice. “Every medical treatment has a risk, even taking aspirin.”
Rice: “How many minors have to have their bodies irreparably harmed for unproven benefits?”
Sotomayor: “Every medical treatment has risk. Even taking Aspirin.” pic.twitter.com/I4k8ujr5Hl
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 4, 2024
As one might expect, X users reacted in disbelief to Sotomayor’s asinine comparison.
Should transgender procedures for children be banned?
Prominent conservatives, in fact, denounced her as unfit to serve on the Supreme Court.
“No joke, Sotomayor should simply be impeached for this statement,” Will Chamberlain of The Article III Project tweeted.
“Cavalierly dismissing the butchering of children by saying ‘well aspirin has side effects too’ is beneath the dignity of the highest court in the land,” Chamberlain added.
No joke, Sotomayor should simply be impeached for this statement
Cavalierly dismissing the butchering of children by saying “well aspirin has side effects too” is beneath the dignity of the highest court in the land
pic.twitter.com/TjhWE7ZaMZ— Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) December 4, 2024
Rob Schmitt of Newsmax agreed that “Sonia Sotomayor belongs nowhere near the SC.”
Sonia Sotomayor belongs nowhere near the SC https://t.co/d1HBQNOsOc
— Rob Schmitt (@SchmittNYC) December 4, 2024
Another X user called it “[a]bsolutely inexcusable coming from a sitting Supreme Court justice.”
That has to be one of the most absurd legal arguments I’ve ever encountered. Absolutely inexcusable coming from a sitting Supreme Court justice. Unbelievable.
— Ransom (@fewgoodpoints) December 4, 2024
Indeed, calls for impeachment multiplied, as did general expressions of disbelief.
So disgusting. I would support that impeachment
— Caspen (@CaspenRae) December 4, 2024
The Supreme Court is not a place where you implement DEI policies. This is not a smart woman, folks.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) December 4, 2024
I’m sorry, judge, but irreversible changes to a minor’s body should not be compared to aspirin. Maybe a terrible lawyer can say that in an argument, but it’s pretty rough hearing that from a Supreme Court justice.
— TravelingEMDoc (@trekker243) December 4, 2024
Hold up….a Supreme Court Justice is comparing genital mutilation to taking aspirin?
LORD help us.— Jeff Carlton (@JeffWCarlton) December 4, 2024
Of course, those hoping for a Sotomayor impeachment should not hold their breath.
The best we can hope at this point is twofold.
First, with President-elect Donald Trump headed back to the White House, we can fortify SCOTUS against future Sotomayors.
Then, we can hope that posterity will not judge our era too harshly.
Michael Schwarz holds a Ph.D. in History and has taught at multiple colleges and universities. He has published one book and numerous essays on Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Early U.S. Republic. He loves dogs, baseball, and freedom. After meandering spiritually through most of early adulthood, he has rediscovered his faith in midlife and is eager to continue learning about it from the great Christian thinkers.
Michael Schwarz holds a Ph.D. in History and has taught at multiple colleges and universities. He has published one book and numerous essays on Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Early U.S. Republic. He loves dogs, baseball, and freedom. After meandering spiritually through most of early adulthood, he has rediscovered his faith in midlife and is eager to continue learning about it from the great Christian thinkers.
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