Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson defended her judicial record Tuesday, pushing back on Republican assertions she would be soft on crime.
WASHINGTON -- Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson forcefully defended her record as a judge Tuesday, pushing back against Republican assertions that she was soft on crime and declaring she would rule as an"independent jurist" if confirmed as the first Black woman on the high court.
In what Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., described as"a trial by ordeal," Jackson attempted to answer GOP concerns and also highlight the empathetic style on the bench that she has frequently described. The committee's Republicans, several of whom have their eyes on the presidency, tried to brand her - and Democrats in general - as soft on crime, an emerging theme in GOP midterm election campaigns.
She said the potential to be the first Black woman on the court is"extremely meaningful" and that she had received many letters from young girls. Jackson, who grew up in Miami, noted that she had not had to attend racially segregated public schools as her own parents did,"and the fact that we had come that far was to me a testament to the hope and the promise of this country."Her nomination also"supports public confidence in the judiciary," Jackson said.
Jackson defended her decisions by saying she takes into account not only sentencing guidelines but also the stories of the victims, the nature of the offenses and the defendants' histories. The Texas senator also questioned her about her daughter's private school in Washington, where she sits on the board, bringing up a book called"Antiracist Baby" he said was taught to younger children at the school.Visibly annoyed, Jackson took a long pause. She said no children should be made to feel they are racists, victims or oppressors."I don't believe in any of that," she said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearings begin MondayJudge Ketanji Brown Jackson, who would be the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, will face senators on Monday. Here’s a look at her career.
Read more »
What to know about Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden's pick for the Supreme CourtHere's what you need to know about the 51-year-old federal appeals court judge, who could become the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Read more »
Supreme Court confirmation hearings begin this week for Judge Ketanji Brown JacksonSupreme Court confirmation hearings begin this week for Judge Kantanji Brown Jackson
Read more »
What Republicans Really Mean When They Say They’ll Go Easy on Ketanji Brown JacksonRepublicans are shadowboxing over imaginary objections to Ketanji Brown Jackson’s record, denying Americans the opportunity to find out anything meaningful or salient about this historic Supreme Court pick.
Read more »
How Ketanji Brown Jackson differs from other Supreme Court JusticesThe Senate Judiciary Committee is set to begin historic confirmation hearings for Jackson, the first Black woman nominated to the Supreme Court.
Read more »