Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor expressed her concerns about the deteriorating quality of civics education in the United States during a recent conference held at New York Law School. At 71 years old, she emphasized that a fundamental understanding of government structure and the rule of law is essential for a functioning democracy.
Sotomayor’s calls underscored a very real knowledge gap about what the American presidency can—and cannot—do. As she pointed out, “It’s a huge difference, and I don’t think that we appreciate what the difference is between a king and a president. This question highlights her claim that a lot of Americans don’t understand the constitutional boundaries that should exist on executive power.
Sotomayor’s comments illuminated that a lack of understanding of how government works breeds misunderstanding about where political power lies. She conveyed that if citizens understood these principles better, they would be more informed about what is crucial in a democracy. Her remarks underscore how essential civics education will be in creating the engaged and educated citizenry that we need.
That ruling also granted former President Donald Trump immunity from prosecution for his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The justice argued that the current legal discourse surrounding political authority must be informed by a clear understanding of constitutional boundaries.
In speaking to the current conversations surrounding free speech, Sotomayor warned of the dangerous distortions that incite violence. “Every time I listen to a lawyer-trained representative saying we should criminalize free speech in some way, I think to myself that law school failed,” she stated, prompting reflection on the balance between freedom of expression and accountability.
Sotomayor’s remarks come at an important juncture. As the specters of censorship, free speech, and political violence loom over America today, conversations like these are needed now more than ever. She encouraged conference goers to think about the causes of these challenges. She spoke about the need for thoughtful and thorough comprehensive civics education to avoid dangerous misunderstandings as a bedrock of societal discord.