Ketanji Brown Jackson pledges to rule 'without fear or favor' on the Supreme Court

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson pledged to rule on the Supreme Court "without fear or favor" on the first day of her historic Senate confirmation hearings.
Jackson, the first Black woman ever nominated to the Supreme Court, in her opening statement on Monday told senators she takes "very seriously" her "duty to be independent" when deciding cases. She currently serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and was confirmed to her seat in 2021.
"I decide cases from a neutral posture," Jackson said. "I evaluate the facts and I interpret and apply the law to the facts of the case before me without fear or favor, consistent with my judicial oath. I know that my role as a judge is a limited one, that the Constitution empowers me only to decide cases and controversies that are properly presented, and I know that my judicial role is further constrained by careful adherence to precedent."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
If confirmed, Jackson would be succeeding Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, whom she once clerked for. She paid tribute to Breyer, who "exemplifies what it means to be a Supreme Court justice of the highest level of skill and integrity, civility, and grace."
"It is extremely humbling to be considered for Justice Breyer's seat, and I know that I could never fill his shoes," Jackson added. "But if confirmed, I would hope to carry on his spirit."
Jackson also said she has dedicated her career to "ensuring that the words engraved on the front of the Supreme Court building, equal justice under law, are a reality and not just an ideal," and expressed her gratitude for the "historic" opportunity to join the court and "inspire future generations." Watch the full opening statement below.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Dutch government falls over immigration policy
speed read The government collapsed after anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders quit the right-wing coalition
-
South Korea elects liberal Lee as president
speed read Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, was elected president following months of political instability in the wake of Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment
-
Nationalist wins tight Polish presidential election
speed read Karol Nawrocki beat Rafal Trzaskowski in Poland's presidential runoff election
-
Ukraine hits Russia's bomber fleet in stealth drone attack
speed read The operation, which destroyed dozens of warplanes, is the 'biggest blow of the war against Moscow's long-range bomber fleet'
-
Starving Gazans overrun US-backed food aid hub
speed read Israeli troops fired warning shots at the Palestinians
-
Israel's Western allies pull back amid Gaza escalation
speed read Britain and the EU are reconsidering allegiance with Israel as the Gaza siege continues
-
Trump drops ceasefire demand after Putin call
speed read Following a phone call with Russia's president, Trump backed off an earlier demand that Putin agree to an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine
-
Pro-EU centrist beats Trump acolyte in Romania vote
speed read The mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, defeated hard-right nationalist George Simion in the race for Romania's presidency