In the face of increasing calls from Democrats for her resignation, Justice Sonia Sotomayor of the U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear she has no plans to step down. The 70-year-old justice, who has been public about managing type 1 diabetes, remains committed to her lifetime role, according to sources close to her.

The push for Sotomayor’s retirement arises as President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House looms, bringing urgency among some Democrats for President Joe Biden to appoint a younger liberal justice before Trump takes office. However, a source told the Wall Street Journal, “This is no time to lose her important voice on the court,” emphasizing that Justice Sotomayor is in excellent health and well-prepared to continue her duties. Another insider remarked to CNN, “She’s in great health, and the court needs her now more than ever.”

Justice Sotomayor, known as the court’s first woman of color, continues to be an active presence in public and during oral arguments. Her decision to remain on the bench recalls the 2020 death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose seat was quickly filled by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, shifting the court to a conservative majority. Since then, the court has issued landmark rulings, including the 2022 decision overturning the nationwide right to abortion.

Senator Bernie Sanders, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, brushed off calls for Sotomayor’s retirement as “not sensible,” and no elected Democrats have formally urged her to step down. Supporters have dismissed the pressure as ageist and unnecessary given her good health.

With Trump’s inauguration approaching, Democrats face limited time to secure a replacement, should Sotomayor retire. Trump’s past judicial appointments, which included 234 federal judges in lower courts and three Supreme Court justices, have cemented a conservative influence. He is poised for further impact if he has the opportunity to appoint replacements for Justices Clarence Thomas, 76, and Samuel Alito, 74.

Meanwhile, President Biden has proposed reforms, including term limits and a code of ethics for Supreme Court justices, although these initiatives are unlikely to advance under Republican leadership.

Justice Sotomayor’s resilience in the face of political pressure underscores her dedication to her role, as she remains a critical voice on the bench at a time when public confidence in the Supreme Court faces significant challenges.