Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson shared her thoughts on Kamala Harris becoming the first black and South Asian woman to secure the Democratic nomination for president, stating that it offers people hope. Jackson, who was the first Black female Supreme Court justice appointed in 2022, explained how Harris’ rise to vice president and presidential candidate has increased opportunities for minorities in the United States. In an interview with ABC News’ “The View,” Justice Jackson emphasized the importance of representation in positions of power, noting that seeing someone break barriers inspires hope and progress for many Americans.
During the 2020 campaign, then-presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court and name a woman as his vice presidential running mate. In August, Kamala Harris officially became the Democratic nominee for president in a virtual roll call and accepted the candidacy during the party’s convention in Chicago. As the first black and South Asian female vice president in US history, her nomination marks a significant milestone in American politics and representation.
While Supreme Court justices are generally expected to avoid political involvement, Justice Jackson focused on the significance of Harris’ nomination as the Democratic presidential candidate. She acknowledged that her appointment as the first Black female Supreme Court justice was seen by many as progress for the country, providing hope to those who see people moving into positions where no one has ever been before.
In a media tour promoting her memoir “Lovely One,” Justice Jackson discussed her upbringing and journey to becoming the highest court in the land. Throughout her interviews, she carefully navigated politically charged questions about the Supreme Court while expressing confidence in the courts’ ability to uphold the law.
She also weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding whether the Supreme Court should adopt a stricter ethical code. Last year, the high court introduced a non-binding ethics code, but critics argue that it should be replaced with a stronger one. Jackson maintained that the situation is still early in its development and expressed her belief that it represents democracy at work and public engagement with ideas of reforms that have been present since the founding of the Republic.
In the Supreme Court’s most high-profile case last term, the court ruled on former President Donald Trump’s request for absolute presidential immunity. The court concluded that presidents enjoy “absolute” immunity for official acts but left significant questions unanswered about the division between official and personal acts. Jackson dissented in this decision, which was handed down by the high court’s conservative majority, expressing her disagreement with creating a new system for presidents that immunizes them from certain criminal activities.
As the Supreme Court prepares to commence its next term in October, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson continues to navigate her role as a trailblazer in American politics and representation while maintaining her focus on upholding the law and fulfilling her duty as a Supreme Court justice.
