Ketanji Brown Jackson made history on Thursday as the first black woman in history to be sworn in as a judge at the US Supreme Court.
Jackson, 51, replace Stephen Breyer JusticeThe resignation from the Supreme Court will take effect at noon after he has worked for nearly 28 years.
president Joe Biden Jackson was appointed to the Supreme Court after Breyer announced in January that he would resign at the end of the court’s 2021 term, which ended Thursday morning.
At a brief ceremony at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, Jackson took two oaths of office.
In a constitutional oath issued by Judge John Roberts, Jackson defends the constitution “against all enemies at home and abroad” and solemnly “swears true faith and loyalty to the same thing.” I swore.
Judge John G. Roberts, Jr. is watching Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson sign the pledge in the Judges’ Meeting Room of the Supreme Court Building.
US Supreme Court Collection
Breyer made a second statutory oath that Jackson vowed to “execute justice without respect and give equal rights to the poor and the rich.”
Jackson, who was smiling throughout the ceremony, was joined by her husband, Dr. Patrick Jackson, who had two Bibles for the oath, and two daughters, Talia and Leila.
According to Roberts, the court will hold another formal inauguration, called an investiture, in the fall. However, Thursday’s oath allows Jackson to begin work as the latest member of the nine-seat High Court. Until Thursday, she was a judge in the Federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
“Help God, as I wholeheartedly support and uphold the US Constitution and accept the solemn responsibility of enforcing justice without fear or benefit,” Jackson said in a statement issued by the court. Stated.
“I am deeply grateful to be part of the promise of our great country. I am deeply grateful to all my new colleagues for their warm and graceful welcome,” Jackson said. I did. “I am also particularly grateful for the time and attention from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Judge Breyer. Judge Breyer is part of today’s official action, and in addition to being part of today’s official action, my personality for the past 20 years. Was a typical friend and leader. “”
In his statement, Breyer said, “I am happy with Ketanji today. Because of her diligence, honesty and intellect, she has appeared in this court. I am happy with my fellow judge. They have acquired sympathetic colleagues. Thoughtful and sympathetic. I am happy with America. Ketanji interprets the law wisely and fairly, which is better for the Americans it serves. Helps it work well. “
Jackson Confirmed by the Senate in April With a vote of 53-47. Three Republican Senators Joined the Democratic Party to confirm her.
Like Breyer, Jackson is considered a liberal lawyer. She joins two other liberal court members, Judge Elena Kagan and Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
Judge Ketangi Brown Jackson, a candidate for the US Supreme Court, will meet with US Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) (not shown) at Capitol Hill, Washington on March 28, 2022.
Elizabeth Franz | Reuters
The Supreme Court has a majority of six conservatives, including three appointed members of Roberts and the former president. Donald Trump: Judge Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh And Amy Coney Barrett.
Another conservative, Judge Clarence Thomas, is the only other black man currently in court. Thomas replaced Judge Thurgood Marshall, the first black man to serve in court in 1991.
Jackson’s elevation looks like this Public confidence in the Supreme Court has sunk to historically low levels It was leaked in May following a controversial draft opinion on abortion.
According to a Gallup survey released on June 23, only 25% of American adults said they were “quite” or “quite” confident in court.
This is 11 percentage points lower than the confidence level announced a year ago and 5 percentage points lower than the last low seen in 2014.
The poll was released the day before the Supreme Court issued its final opinion overturning the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade. Says there is no federal constitutional right to abortion..
New decision Allows individual states to set their own limits on abortion In most cases, without fear of rebelling against Roe who was able to end the pregnancy.
Trump’s appointed person provided the votes needed to overthrow Rho, Join with Thomas Judge Samuel Alito who wrote the majority opinion.
