What to know about Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court
Ketanji Brown Jackson is officially nominated to the Supreme Court, making history.
By Candiace Melvin // Black Women // EEW Magazine Online
When President Joe Biden officially announced that he is nominating Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court—the first Black woman to be tapped to serve on the nation’s highest court in 232 years—the Internet exploded.
If Jackson, 51, is confirmed, she will bring with her the rich experience gained from working as a criminal defense attorney and former public defender.
Ketanji Brown Jackson would add some much-needed diversity to the Court if she is confirmed.
So, what do you need to know about this history-shaping Black woman?
#1 She was previously nominated by Biden. Throughout her illustrious career, the Harvard Law School alumna has also worked as a trial court judge who helped shaped federal sentencing policy while serving on the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Last year, she was nominated by Biden, and subsequently confirmed by the Senate with bipartisan support, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit—one of the most powerful courts in the nation.
#2 She comes from a family of public servants. During her first confirmation hearing, Jackson, who was born in Washington and raised in Miami, shared what motivated her to become a public defender. “My parents were in public service, my brother was a police officer, and in the military, and being in the public defender’s office felt very much like the opportunity to help with my skills and talents,” she explained.
President Joe Biden introduces Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee (Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty)
#3 Her nomination is the result of a promise. Jackson’s nomination comes two years after Biden pledged during his presidential campaign that he would nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court. The fulfillment of that campaign promise was made possible by Justice Stephen Breyer’s announcement that he would be retiring at the end of the Court’s current term. Jackson, wife of Patrick Jackson, a general surgeon, and mother of two daughters, clerked for Breyer in 1999.
#4 Her confirmation would be historic but would not change the Court’s makeup.The Democratic candidate must be confirmed by a simple Senate majority, and Democrats currently hold narrow control of the Senate. If she passes through, Biden will be able to place a justice on the Court before the November midterm elections, thus changing the makeup of Congress. However, it is important to note that while the liberal candidate’s confirmation would set a historic precedent, her addition to the Court would not do much to change its makeup, as there would remain a conservative majority.
#5 Republicans will oppose her confirmation. It is expected that Republicans will oppose Jackson, with the Republican National Committee already calling her a “radical, left-wing activist.” They have also criticized her for being soft on immigration policy, for being an advocate for abortion rights groups , and for being a member of the Cosmos Club, a private institution that the RNC characterizes as a “club of the Washington elite,” reports NY Times.
But Biden remains undeterred and undaunted.
“I sought a nominee with the strongest credentials, record, character, and dedication to the rule of law,” Biden said in a video statement, adding that Jackson is an “immensely qualified judge who’s going to help make our courts stronger and more reflective of our country.”
“I am truly humbled by the extraordinary honor of this nomination,” said Jackson while making remarks regarding her nomination at a press conference Friday.
Watch her full statement below.