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In this article by Evan Tucker, he writes about the new Supreme Court nominee Kentaji Brown Jackson
Ketanaji Brown Jackson: A potential new face to the UNited states supreme court
Ketanaji Brown Jackson: A potential new face to the UNited states supreme court
By Evan Tucker
By Evan Tucker
Introduction
Introduction
In Jan. 2022, liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced his future retirement. After serving on the United States Supreme Court since 1994, he is set to retire at the end of the 2021-22 term on Oct. 2, 2022. This paved the way for Biden to appoint a new justice to the highly contentious court. Through the entire campaign process, Biden promised the American people that he would nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court to greater diversify, and have the court better represent what the United States looks like. The announcement of Justice Breyer’s retirement gave President Biden the opportunity to do so, and he nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson (KBJ) to potentially become the 116th associate justice of the highest court in the land.
Qualifications
Qualifications
While critics of this nomination will say that Biden’s promise of nominating a black woman to the Supreme Court restricts the pool of qualified candidates too much, the White House website denotes the expansive selection process. The President sought “the advice of Senators in both parties. He studied the histories and case records of candidates and consulted legal experts… (Biden) sought a candidate with exceptional credentials, unimpeachable character, and unwavering dedication to the rule of law. He also sought a nominee—much like Justice Stephen Breyer—who is wise, pragmatic, and has a deep understanding of the Constitution as an enduring charter of liberty. And finally, the President sought an individual who is committed to equal justice under the law who understands the profound impact that the Supreme Court’s decisions can have on the lives of the American people.”
Pictured: Jackson at nomination press conference, New Yorker
Amongst many qualifications, Judge Jackson was selected for her high character, knowledge of the law, and experience. President Biden had this to say about her at the nomination press conference: ”Her opinions are always carefully reasoned, tethered to precedent, and demonstrate respect for how the law impacts everyday people… she understands the broader impacts of her decisions… She cares about making sure that our democracy works for the American people. She listens. She looks people in the eye… she strives to make sure that everyone understands why she made a decision, what the law is, and what it means to them.” Being a part of a family of both law enforcement and lawyers, she brings “a personal understanding of the stakes of the legal system” to the court, as stated by the White House.
Background
Background
Judge Jackson has been surrounded by the law her entire life. She said in the press conference on her nomination, “Some of my earliest memories are of him (her father) at the kitchen table reading his law books. I watched him study, and he became my first professional role model.” These memories helped fuel her love for the law; she attended, and graduated magna cum laude, from Harvard University. Then, she went to Harvard Law School, where she graduated cum laude and edited for the Harvard Law Review.
Experience
Experience
Pictured: Breyer swearing in Jackson, CNN
Uniquely, if confirmed by the Senate, KBJ will become the first public defender to ever serve on the Supreme Court bench. Her experience does not stop there, though. Duly, she already has experience in the Supreme Court, serving as a clerk for her anticipated predecessor: Justice Stephen Breyer. Her humility shined through during the press conference as she said, ”Justice Breyer, the members of the Senate will decide if I fill your seat, but please know that I could never fill your shoes.” Along with clerking, she worked as the Vice Chair of the bipartisan U.S Sentencing Commission, in which her work centered on decreasing unjustified sentencing disparities, ensuring just and proportionate federal penalties, and creating a better legal system for the people of the US. Fittingly enough, Justice Breyer also served under the same commission, from 1985 to 1989. Briefly, KBJ concurrently spent time as both the Vice Chair of the U.S Sentencing Commission and as a Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Then, most recently, before her nomination to the US Supreme Court, Biden appointed her as a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where she has served since June 2021. This being said, she has been confirmed by the Senate three times, so it is likely that her fourth confirmation process will be swift and easy, especially with a majority Democratic Senate. Additionally, the President has worked with Republicans in the selection to ensure a smoother confirmation process.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The retirement of Justice Breyer has given the opportunity to Biden to leave his mark on the US Supreme Court. If confirmed, she will become the third Black Justice in Supreme Court history and will join Justice Clarence Thomas as the only pair of Black justices to serve on the court at the same time. Not only will this be a win for racial diversity, but gender diversity, as well. She will become the fifth woman to ever serve on the court and will bring the total number of women on the current bench to four of nine. Her wide range of experience made her a clear candidate for the job, and it fittingly resembles that of her expected predecessor, Justice Stephen Breyer.
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