South Lawn view

day after the Senate confirmed her nomination At an event on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson delivered a powerful message of thanks and recognition to the Supreme Court.

Jackson was there with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, cabinet members, lawmakers, civil rights advocates, her family and others. “But we did it. We made it. All of us.”

Her use of the plural “we” drew loud applause from the crowd, which included African-American women such as Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge. On behalf of Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas and Frederica Wilson, D-Fla. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; and Kristin Clark, U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

Also in attendance were Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. D-Illinois Dick Durbin. There are eight other senators and about 20 other members of the House of Representatives.

Former Senator Doug Jones of Alabama, who guided Jackson to the Senate’s nomination, called him an “absolute godsend” who regularly took off his Biden-style aviator glasses and used his cell phone Photograph.

Pastor Jesse Jackson was joined by Pastor Al Sharpton and civil rights attorney Ben Crump, as well as NAACP President and CEO Derek Johnson and National Urban League President and CEO Mark Morial.

After three days of rain in the country’s capital, the weather was sunny with 60 degrees and crowds festive. Ahead of the ceremony, there was some speculation about what was to come, with some attendees being heard asking who would officiate Jackson’s swearing-in.

But the oath will not be sworn in on Friday. That will happen later, as Justice Stephen Breyer said he will retire when the court begins its summer recess in late June or early July.

The Supreme Court justices were invited to Friday’s event, but no one showed up. It seems that without the official swearing-in ceremony garb, the event has too many political elements and is not to the court’s taste.

The entire court sometimes appears at the White House to swear in a new colleague. For example, when Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh were appointed, the justices took part in a swearing-in ceremony. But Kavanaugh’s 2018 ceremony was marked by some sharp political barbs from President Donald Trump.

When Amy Coney Barrett is confirmed in 2020, a number of factors give most judges some cover to skip the South Lawn ceremony. The event came just days before the presidential election, where COVID-19 was a major concern, and took place in the evening hours after the Senate confirmed Barrett.Nonetheless, Justice Clarence Thomas was involved in administering a Barrett two required vows.

Regardless, Jackson is now in an unusual position, dubbed by some as “justice awaiting.”Marcia Coyle Written in February In the National Law Journal, no new judge was sworn in until the replaced court member left. But some took the oath of office on the same day the outgoing justices retired, including Breyer on August 3, 1994 (replacing Harry Blackmon) and Justice Samuel Alito (replacing Sander) on January 31, 2006 Lady O’Connor has served beyond her original retirement goals after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist created another vacancy. )

When Jackson arrived with the president and vice president, it was Harris who took the lead.

“The road to our more perfect alliance isn’t always straight, it’s not always smooth sailing,” Harris said. “But sometimes it leads to a day like today. A day that reminds us of what’s possible, What is possible when progress is made. And the journey, well, will always be worth it.”

“It’s going to expose so many young women, so many young black women, so many minorities, to so much sunlight,” Biden said.

The president risked derailing the positive vibe of the event, referring to Jackson facing “abusive” Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Angry, constant interruptions, the most vile, baseless assertions and accusations. In the face of it all, Judge Jackson displayed the incredible character and integrity she possesses. Calm. Calm. Patience and restraint. Yes yes, perseverance, even joy,” Biden said.

Jackson kept her message cordial.

“Our kids tell me they see now more than ever that anything is possible in America,” Jackson said. “They also told me that I was a role model and that I saw this as an opportunity and a huge responsibility.”

“I feel like I’m up to the task, mainly because I know I’m not alone,” she added. “I stand on the shoulders of my own example, generations of Americans who have never come close to this kind of opportunity, but who get up to work every day, believing in America’s promise. Through their determination, yes, their perseverance to show others, in This great country can do good, good things.”

she lead Late Poet Maya Angelo: “I do this now ‘with a gift from my ancestors. I am a slave’s dream and hope.'”