GOP tweet linking Ketanji Brown Jackson with critical race theory draws accusations of racism

Critics accused the Republican Party of racism after its official account posted a tweet associating Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson with critical race theory.
If confirmed, Jackson would be the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
The GOP tweet features a gif in which Jackson's initials — KBJ — are crossed out and replaced with the acronym CRT, as well as a link to a list of "Important Questions for KBJ."
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.
Three of these questions are drawn directly from a 2020 lecture at the University of Michigan Law School, in which Jackson favorably cited journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, civil rights activist Derrick Bell, and Bell's wife, scholar Janet Dewart Bell. All three figures have been associated with critical race theory.
Another refers to remarks titled "Fairness in Federal Sentencing: An Examination," in which Jackson briefly referred to "critical race theory" as relevant to the study of sentencing.
Daily Beast columnist Wajahat Ali wrote that the GOP's tweet constituted "full blown, out in the open racism." Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) asked, "Why do you hate black people?" MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan called the tweet "pure unadulterated racism."
Representatives from across the political spectrum joined the pile-on. Bulwark editor Bill Kristol tweeted, "No more dog whistles. Just unabashed bigotry," and called on Republican elected officials to denounce the tweet.
The official account of the Libertarian Party sarcastically tweeted, "Anything I don't like is CRT."
Conservative activist Christopher Rufo has openly acknowledged that the Libertarian Party's assessment is largely accurate. "We have successfully frozen their brand — 'critical race theory' — into the public conversation and are steadily driving up negative perceptions. We will eventually turn it toxic, as we put all of the various cultural insanities under that brand category," he tweeted last year.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Ukraine scrambles as Trump cuts weapons deliveries
Speed Read The halting of weapons shipments was driven by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, a Ukraine funding skeptic
-
IAEA: Iran could enrich uranium 'within months'
Speed Read The chief United Nations nuclear inspector, Rafael Grossi, says Iran could be enriching uranium again soon
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Iran nukes program set back months, early intel suggests
Speed Read A Pentagon assessment says US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites only set the program back by months, not years. This contradicts President Donald Trump's claim.
-
Trump says Iran and Israel agreed to ceasefire
Speed Read This followed a night of Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and multiple waves of missiles fired by Iran
-
Israel strikes Iran, killing military and nuclear chiefs
Speed Read Israeli officials said the attack was a 'preemptive' strike on Iran's nuclear program
-
Israel deports Thunberg after seizing Gaza aid boat
speed read The Swedish activist was delivering food and medical aid to Palestine, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis there
-
Colombian senator shot on streets of Bogotá
speed read Miguel Uribe Turbay, who has announced his candidacy for next year's presidential election, was shot at a rally