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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she regrets comments she made about a colleague during a recent public appearance, calling her remarks “inappropriate” and confirming that she has issued a personal apology.

“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,” Sotomayor said in a statement issued by the court, Politico reported.

“I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague.”

Her statement followed comments she delivered last week in Lawrence, Kansas, where she spoke critically about another member of the court—widely understood to be Justice Brett Kavanaugh—regarding his stance in an immigration-related case.

Although she did not mention him by name, Sotomayor alluded to his concurring opinion in Noem v. Perdomo, which involved an unsigned order allowing immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles to resume.

During her remarks, she challenged what she suggested was a limited perspective on how such enforcement actions impact workers.

“I had a colleague in that case who wrote, you know, these are only temporary stops,” she said. “This is from a man whose parents were professionals. And probably doesn’t really know any person who works by the hour.”

In his concurrence, Kavanaugh stated that interactions between lawful residents and immigration authorities are “typically brief.”

Sotomayor argued that even short encounters can carry meaningful consequences, particularly for workers paid by the hour, who may lose wages or face job-related repercussions.

She said such interactions carry “financial consequences” that may not be fully appreciated in the court’s legal analysis.

The episode underscores continuing ideological divides within the Supreme Court, especially in cases involving immigration policy and the tension between enforcement authority and individual rights.

At the same time, public criticism between justices—particularly when perceived as personal—has drawn attention and concern in the past.

Sotomayor’s apology represents a relatively rare moment in which a sitting justice has publicly expressed regret for remarks directed at a colleague.

The court has faced heightened scrutiny in recent years over its internal dynamics and public credibility, with ongoing calls for increased transparency and stronger adherence to ethical standards.

The White House on Wednesday released new information about a proposed “United States triumphal arch,” outlining plans for a national monument designed to highlight the country’s history and promote unity among Americans as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing that the structure would incorporate artistic elements and historical imagery showcasing major milestones from the nation’s past, forming part of broader efforts tied to the upcoming semiquincentennial.

“The United States triumphal arch will be outfitted with beautiful artwork and depictions celebrating the success of the American people over our 250-year history and the enduring triumph of the American spirit,” Leavitt said during a briefing.

According to the administration’s newly released National Endowment for the Humanities spending plan, U.S. taxpayers would help fund construction of the monument in Arlington, Virginia.

The proposal, which received approval from the Office of Management and Budget in September, allocates $2 million in special initiative funding along with $13 million in matching funds “are reserved for the arch.”

Leavitt said the project is intended to serve both as a cultural landmark and as a symbol of national pride, drawing inspiration from similar monumental structures found in other countries.

She added that construction is expected to begin later this year.

The administration has framed the project as an effort to bridge political divides, emphasizing its goal of bringing Americans together around a shared sense of history and identity.

“Great nations build beautiful structures that cultivate national pride and love of country, and this triumphal arch should be a project that all Americans — all political persuasions — can support,” she said.

Triumphal arches have historically been used to commemorate military victories and national achievements, and can be found in major cities worldwide, including Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.

The announcement comes as federal agencies and cultural organizations begin organizing programs and commemorations for the nation’s 250th anniversary, with planners seeking to balance celebration with reflection on the country’s past.

While reaction to the proposal has so far been limited, large federal construction projects often draw scrutiny regarding costs, location, and public backing, and lawmakers would likely need to weigh in before the project proceeds.

“It’s the only city in the world that’s of great importance that doesn’t have a triumphal arc,” President Donald Trump said in December. “… And this one is going to blow them all away. The one that people know mostly is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. And we’re going to top it by I think a lot.”

{Matzav.com}