A rare public apology from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is drawing fresh scrutiny after the liberal justice acknowledged making “inappropriate” and “hurtful” remarks about fellow Justice Brett Kavanaugh during a recent appearance.
The unusual admission has put a spotlight on tensions inside the nation’s highest court, where justices have long maintained that sharp legal disagreements do not spill into personal attacks.
In a statement released Wednesday through the court, Sotomayor confirmed she had privately apologized to Kavanaugh over comments made at the University of Kansas School of Law.
“At a recent appearance… I made remarks that were inappropriate,” she said, according to Just the News. “I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague.”
The acknowledgment followed criticism from legal observers who argued the remarks crossed a line from judicial critique into personal territory.
The incident stems from Sotomayor’s public comments about Kavanaugh’s background while discussing a prior immigration case.
Referencing his perspective, she said his parents were “professionals” and suggested he likely did not have experience with Americans who work hourly jobs.
The remarks drew attention for appearing to question his understanding of working-class realities rather than focusing solely on legal reasoning.
The dispute traces back to a Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to proceed with expanded immigration enforcement efforts in Southern California.
Kavanaugh, who joined the majority, wrote a concurring opinion emphasizing limits on how such enforcement should be carried out.
“To be clear, apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion,” Kavanaugh wrote, while noting it may be considered alongside other relevant factors.
He also stressed that such encounters are intended to be temporary and narrowly focused on determining immigration status.
Sotomayor strongly opposed the ruling, joining a dissent alongside Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.
In her written dissent, she warned the decision could open the door to sweeping enforcement practices, ABC News reported.
“We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low-wage job,” she wrote, arguing that the ruling risked eroding constitutional protections.
The episode has drawn added attention because of the Supreme Court’s longstanding emphasis on maintaining respect among its members, even amid deep ideological divides.
Speaking separately, Justice Clarence Thomas reflected on how the court’s internal culture has evolved over time.
“I joined the court that dealt with differences as friends, as we respected each other… That’s civility,” Thomas said, adding that restoring that environment may be difficult in today’s political climate.
Sotomayor has previously underscored the importance of professionalism among the justices, noting in another recent appearance that relationships on the court remain “civil,” even if not always “friendly.”
Her apology, however, highlights how quickly public remarks can intensify scrutiny over decorum at the highest level of the judiciary.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to reconvene for its April session of oral arguments in the coming days, with the incident likely to remain part of the broader conversation about the court’s internal dynamics and public credibility.
