Political Quotes

Sonia Sotomayor: “Under no circumstance should the judiciary become the hand maiden of the executive.”

On the recordMay 7, 2009
Under no circumstance should the judiciary become the hand maiden of the executive.
Said by
Sonia Sotomayor
New York

Editor's note · Context

Stressing the judiciary's role in preventing executive overreach.

Share

More from Sonia Sotomayor

Jul 1, 2026

Because the Court today errs by reducing the burden, at least in the sports context, that the Constitution places on state actors when classifying based on sex, I respectfully dissent.

huffpost.com
Jul 1, 2026

The ban is absolute, so B. P. J. cannot practice on girls’ teams, even if she would not take anyone’s spot in an eventual competition, even if everyone who tries out for the team makes it, and even if having the chance to participate could…

huffpost.com
Jul 3, 2026

The majority ignores that 'arrival' and 'arriving' in the immigration context have never focused on the precise location of a noncitizen’s feet.

newyorker.com

Other voices in this conversation