Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Tuesday lamented the partisan state of Washington, D.C., and said she worries the federal judiciary will be seen as “just another political branch of government” with partisan divisions.
“We have a great federal judiciary,” she said Tuesday, according to reports. “I hope we can keep it.”
Ginsburg spoke to an audience at Roger Williams University School of Law in Rhode Island. She will miss President Trump’s first State of the Union address, scheduled for Tuesday night, due to previously scheduled engagements in Rhode Island.
“Someday I hope we will get back to the way it was,” she said. “I think it will take great leaders on both sides of the aisle to say, ‘Let’s stop this nonsense and start working for the country the way we should.’”
Ginsburg specifically noted the confirmations of the four most recent justices named to the high court as evidence of Washington’s partisan atmosphere. She recalled how there previously was a “truly bipartisan spirit” during the nominations process, and noted that Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was her “biggest supporter” on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“Four fine justices who should have gotten overwhelming support but got many negative votes,” the justice said, according to the Associated Press.
Ginsburg compared the current political environment to the 1950s during the Red Scare, but expressed optimism that today’s partisan atmosphere will improve.
“That time has passed. This time will, too,” she said. “We have something so wonderful in this nation; that democracy exists. It would be tragic to lose it, and I think good people, no matter whether Democrat or Republican, appreciate that.”
Ginsburg praised lawmakers who have made an effort to work across the aisle, and specifically mentioned Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine.
The justice, who is 84, also discussed her health, and told the crowd she is “feeling fine.” Ginsburg attributed her good health to her personal trainer, and said people will get a glimpse of the “RBG workout” in a new documentary that details her life.
“Many reporters want to know about the routine,” she said. “Most of them fail miserably.”
Though there has been speculation about Ginsburg’s future on the bench, the 84-year-old has hired law clerks through 2020 and hasn’t given any indication she’ll retire.
