The Republicans quickly evacuated the hemicycle, while the Democrats applauded for a long time, relieved. Thursday, April 7, Ketanji Brown Jackson made history. The first black woman to be appointed justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, the 51-year-old magistrate, daughter of teachers, was confirmed in a vote in the Senate, by 53 votes against 47.
She will replace Stephen Breyer, 83 – who will retire at the end of June – after serving as a clerk alongside her in 1999-2000. A transmission of witnesses to come between two liberal judges, considered pragmatic, which will not modify the current balance of the Court, dominated by the conservatives (six against three). This clear majority was consolidated by the death, at the end of 2020, of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which allowed Donald Trump, just before the presidential election, to promote Amy Coney Barrett, very popular within the religious right.
Joe Biden is thus keeping a campaign promise of great symbolic significance. In addition, the president achieves a rare clear political success, likely to satisfy a disillusioned Democratic base, and in particular the African-American minority, who consider themselves neglected since the beginning of their mandate.
“I think it is time for the Court to reflect all the talents and greatness of our nation with a candidate with extraordinary qualifications, explained Joe Biden on February 25, and that we inspire young people with the idea that they can serve their country at the highest level. » The president has planned to organize a formal reception for his confirmed candidate at the White House on Friday, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris.
Joe Biden: “a historic moment for our nation”
It was also at the White House, in the Roosevelt lounge, that Ketanji Brown Jackson watched the Senate vote on television. At its end, the photographers immortalized his warm embrace with Joe Biden. The president’s first reaction was broadcast on Twitter. “Judge Jackson’s confirmation is a historic moment for our nation. We have taken another step forward to ensure that our highest court reflects America’s diversity. She will be an incredible judge, and I was honored to share this moment with her. »
Judge Jackson’s confirmation was a historic moment for our nation. We’ve taken another step toward making our highe… https://t.co/jREmmf751d
Graduated from Harvard Law School (1996) then editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review, Ketanji Brown Jackson was a judge in the federal court in Washington, before being appointed, in 2021, to the Court of Appeals for the Circuit of the District of Columbia, a very prestigious position in the American judicial institution.
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