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Chevy Chase Today
By the People, for the People
Supreme Court Feud Escalates as Justice Sotomayor Issues Rare Apology to Kavanaugh
The public apology comes amid growing tensions between the liberal and conservative justices on the nation's highest court.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:19am
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The Supreme Court's internal tensions spill into public view, exposing the ideological divides that threaten to undermine the institution's traditional decorum.Chevy Chase TodayIn a rare move, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has publicly apologized to her colleague Justice Brett Kavanaugh after making controversial remarks about him at a recent event. The feud between the two justices, who represent the court's liberal and conservative wings, has spilled further into the open and highlights the growing tensions within the Supreme Court.
Why it matters
The public spat between Sotomayor and Kavanaugh is an unusual and concerning development, as the Supreme Court is traditionally expected to maintain a level of decorum and collegiality even in the face of ideological disagreements. This incident raises questions about the court's ability to function effectively and impartially, especially as it continues to rule on high-stakes, politically charged cases.
The details
At a recent event at the University of Kansas, Sotomayor criticized Kavanaugh's concurrence in a ruling that allowed the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics to continue, saying Kavanaugh "probably doesn't really know any person who works by the hour." Kavanaugh, who lives in a $1.6 million home in the affluent Chevy Chase, Maryland, had written that most encounters with immigration officials are "typically brief" and that people "promptly go free." Sotomayor, who grew up in more modest circumstances in the Bronx, took issue with Kavanaugh's apparent lack of understanding of the experiences of working-class Americans.
- On April 13, 2026, Sotomayor made the controversial remarks about Kavanaugh at the University of Kansas event.
- On April 15, 2026, Sotomayor issued a rare public apology to Kavanaugh, stating that her previous comments were "inappropriate" and that she had apologized to her colleague.
The players
Sonia Sotomayor
A Supreme Court justice appointed by President Obama in 2009. She is considered part of the court's liberal wing.
Brett Kavanaugh
A Supreme Court justice appointed by President Trump in 2018. He is considered part of the court's conservative wing.
What they’re saying
“At a recent appearance at the University of Kansas School of Law, I referred to a disagreement with one of my colleagues in a prior case, but I made remarks that were inappropriate. I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague.”
— Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court Justice
What’s next
The Supreme Court is expected to continue hearing high-profile cases, and the relationship between Sotomayor and Kavanaugh will likely be closely watched for any further signs of tension or discord.
The takeaway
The public feud between Justices Sotomayor and Kavanaugh highlights the growing ideological divisions within the Supreme Court and raises concerns about the court's ability to maintain its traditional decorum and impartiality, especially as it rules on politically charged cases that have far-reaching implications for the country.
