Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor sparked severe backlash for comparing the irreversible harms of transgender medical procedures for minors to the side effects of aspirin. “It becomes a pure exercise of weighing benefits versus risk and the question how many minors have to have their bodies irreparably harmed for unproven benefits,” Tennessee Solicitor General Matthew Rice said. “I’m sorry counselor, every medical treatment has risk. Even taking aspirin,” Sotomayor commented. “There’s always going to be a percentage of the population under any medical treatment that’s going to suffer a harm. So, the question in my mind is not, ‘do policymakers decide whether one person’s life is more valuable than the millions of others who get relief from this treatment?'” she continued. Sotomayor made the statement during oral arguments in the U.S. v. Skrmetti case, which pertains to Tennessee’s law to ban irreversible transgender medical procedures for minors. LISTEN: Rice: "How many minors have to have their bodies irreparably harmed for unproven benefits?" Sotomayor: "Every medical treatment has risk. Even taking Aspirin." pic.twitter.com/I4k8ujr5Hl — Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 4, 2024 Per Fox News: Sotomayor’s comments came after Tennessee Solicitor General Matthew Rice defended his state’s ban on transgender medical procedures for minors, which is the first time a case involving transgender procedures has been brought before the high court. Rice argued that countries like Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom have limited such interventions due to reported irreversible consequences. Justice Clarence Thomas questioned Rice about alternative approaches – like in the case of West Virginia – with Rice dismissing them as speculative policymaking that fails to eliminate risks associated with gender transition entirely. “They cannot eliminate the risk of detransitioners,” Rice said. “So, it becomes a pure exercise of weighing benefit versus risk. And the question of how many minors have to have their bodies irreparably harmed for unproven benefits is one that is best left to the legislature.” The high-profile case, United States v. Skrmetti, centers on a Tennessee law that bans gender-transition treatments for adolescents in the state. The law also takes aim at health care providers in Tennessee who continue to provide gender-transition treatments to transgender minors, opening them up to fines, lawsuits and other liability. The three justices appointed by former President Trump could play a key role in the outcome. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett pressed both sides with tough questions, while Justice Neil Gorsuch remained silent throughout the lengthy hearing. A ruling is expected by July 2025. “No joke, Sotomayor should simply be impeached for this statement. Cavalierly dismissing the butchering of children by saying ‘well aspirin has side effects too’ is beneath the dignity of the highest court in the land,” Will Chamberlain commented. No joke, Sotomayor should simply be impeached for this statement Cavalierly dismissing the butchering of children by saying “well aspirin has side effects too” is beneath the dignity of the highest court in the land pic.twitter.com/TjhWE7ZaMZ — Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) December 4, 2024 “Taking a Tylenol is significantly less risky than surgically removing a child’s penis and installing a ‘neo-vagina’ in its place. This should be … obvious?” Christopher Rufo said. Taking a Tylenol is significantly less risky than surgically removing a child's penis and installing a "neo-vagina" in its place. This should be … obvious? https://t.co/Lw5DOzcDDo — Christopher F. Rufo (@realchrisrufo) December 4, 2024 The Daily Wire noted: A number of others noted that, much like the Tennessee law that specifically targets the medical gender transition of minors, doctors also do not recommend giving aspirin to children.