Biden nominates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has introduced federal appeals court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

In selecting Jackson, Biden on Friday delivered on a campaign promise, moving to further diversify a court that was made up entirely of white men for almost two centuries. Jackson is an attorney who possesses the type of elite legal background found in other high court justices, but who’s worked as a public defender.

If confirmed, she will fill the seat on the nine-member court that will be vacated by liberal Justice Stephen Breyer. So the ideological balance of the 6-3 majority court won’t change.

With her exceptional qualifications, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be a Justice who will uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of all Americans, including the voiceless and vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/PYuBv5Y2UC

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 25, 2022

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) issued the following statement:

“Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s experience as a public defender, a trial court judge, and an appellate judge will add valuable professional diversity to the Supreme Court. She would not only bring her brilliant legal mind and dedication to protecting our rights to the bench, she would make history in the process. I commend President Biden for his commitment to making our nation’s highest court look more like our nation. I hope Judge Jackson continues to receive bipartisan support, as she has in the past, and I look forward to a swift confirmation process.”