Status: 07.04.2022 21:22
For the first time, a black woman becomes a judge on the US Supreme Court. The Senate confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the post. President Biden proposed her in February – and spoke of a “historic candidate”.
Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first black woman to become a Supreme Court justice. The US Senate confirmed her to the US Supreme Court with 53 out of 100 votes. Three moderate Republicans voted with the Democrats.
At the end of February, US President Joe Biden nominated the 51-year-old for the post. He called Jackson one of “the brightest lawyers in our country” and a “historic candidate”.
Jackson has been a judge since 2013. Since 2021 she has been working at the Court of Appeals in the Capital District of Columbia. She studied at Harvard and also worked as a lawyer.
“Inspiration for all Black women in America”, Jessica Briegmann, ARD Washington, on Jackson’s appointment
tagesschau24 9:30 p.m., April 7th, 2022
Jackson wants to create trust
Ahead of the vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, there has never been a black woman holding the title of judge. Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first – and I believe the first of many to come.”
“I’m standing here on the shoulders of generations of Americans who have never had an opportunity like this. I hope that inspires confidence and inspires people to understand that our dishes are like them,” Jackson said told a Senate hearing in March.
Conservative majority remains
During the hearing, some Republicans accused Jackson of having judged too leniently so far. The judge rejected the allegations. She underlined that she is independent and impartial.
Jackson replaces Liberal Justice Stephen Breyer. Breyer’s departure from the court gave Biden his first seat on the Supreme Court. However, nothing will change in the composition of the court – it remains a conservative majority.
116th Justice of the Supreme Court
Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump had placed three judges on the Supreme Court, so that six of the nine judges are currently considered conservative. Justices of the Supreme Court are appointed for life. The court makes important decisions on contentious issues such as abortion, immigration laws or marriage for all.
Jackson will be the 116th female Supreme Court judge. So far, 108 white men, two black men, four white women and one Latina have held office, according to TV broadcaster CNN.
Ketanji Brown Jackson elected constitutional judge
Torsten Teichmann, ARD Washington, April 7, 2022 9:19 p.m