Ketanji Brown Jackson Sworn in as First Black Female Supreme Court Justice
Ketanji Brown Jackson has finally made history as the first black woman to be sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice. She is replacing Justice Stephen Breyer, who retired at the end of the tumultuous Supreme Court term, which included the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Chief Justice John Roberts administered Jackson's constitutional oath, while outgoing Justice Stephen Breyer, who Jackson is replacing and previously worked for as a clerk, administered the judicial oath.
Dr. Patrick Jackson, Ketanji Brown Jackson's husband, held two Bibles as she took her oaths. He brought a family bible as well as the Harlan Bible, a King James Bible, which was donated to the Supreme Court in 1906, as reported by ABC News.
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Outgoing Justice Stephen Breyer Hands Over Reigns to His Former Clerk
Chief Justice Roberts welcomed Justice Jackson as part of the Supreme Court. The seven sitting justices attending applauded her. The outgoing Justice Breyer would then approach his former clerk and patted her on the back, and whispered, "Congrats."
In a written statement, Justice Jackson said that she solemnly accepts her responsibilities in "supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States and administering justice without fear or favor" with a full heart. She then added that she is grateful to be a part of the promise of the United States. She also thanked her new colleagues for the warm welcome.
However, she reserved her biggest thanks for her mentor and former boss, Justice Breyer. She describes him as a "personal friend and mentor for the past two decades." She also thanked him for his service to the Nation.
The now-retired Justice Breyer also released his own statement, saying that he is glad for Ketanji, his fellow Justices, and for America. He praised Jackson for her hard work, integrity, and intelligence. He then says that Justice Jackson will "interpret the law wisely and fairly" and added that she will help that law to "work better for the American people, whom it serves."
Justice Jackson Taking Her Oath Historic in More Ways Than One
After her Senate confirmation, the then-Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson said that it had taken America 232 years and 115 prior appointments before appointing a black woman as a Supreme Court Justice.
This will also be the first time that four women will be sitting together on the bench of the highest court in the United States. She will be joining fellow liberals Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, as well as Trump-appointed conservative Amy Coney Barrett.
However, according to CNN, Justice Jackson joins the Supreme Court during a time of turmoil, especially as her fellow liberal Justices took a beating with the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
Her first day on the job will have her hear a case involving wetlands protected under the Clean Water Act, which could limit the government's jurisdiction over them. Her next few cases are also important ones, including a redistricting case from Alabama and cases which might affect same-sex marriage.
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson makes Supreme Court history - CBS Evening News