top of page

Biden Announces Ketanji Brown Jackson Will Replace Justice Steven Breyer

Today, President Biden announced that he is nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, to replace Supreme Court Justice Steven Breyer.


In his formal announcement the President praised Judge Brown Jackson, 51, as “an accomplished lawyer, a distinguished jurist on one of the nation's most prestigious courts, and uniquely accomplished, with a wide-ranging background that includes jobs in public service and private practice.” The President further described her opinions as “always carefully reasoned, tethered to precedent, demonstrating respect for how the law impacts everyday people – not putting her thumb on the scale of justice one way or another, but that she understands the broader impact of her decisions.”


In Judge Brown Jackson’s remarks following the President, she expressed that “If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I can only hope that my life and career, my love of this country and the constitution, and my commitment to upholding the rule of law and sacred principles upon which this great nation was founded will inspire future generations of Americans."


After honoring her family, she relayed to Justice Breyer that while the Senate will decide whether she fills his seat on the court, “I could never fill your shoes.” Brown Jackson clerked for Justice Breyer at the United States Supreme Court in 1999 and during her remarks she stated, “Justice Breyer, in particular, not only gave me the greatest job that any young lawyer could ever hope to have, but he also exemplified every day, in every way, that a Supreme Court justice can perform at the highest level of skill and integrity, while also being guided by civility, grace, pragmatism and generosity of spirit." Almost a month ago to the day, on January 26th, Justice Breyer announced that he was retiring from the Supreme Court.


Judge Brown Jackson’s nomination will now move to the Senate where the Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has indicated he wants a swift confirmation process and Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin of Illinois has indicated that formal hearings will begin within a few weeks of this announcement.



📸: Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash






Comments


bottom of page