GOP senator asks Jackson if her 'compassion' for defendants could lead to 'bad results'


Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) asked Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson whether her "compassion" toward criminals could lead to "bad results" during the third day of Jackson's confirmation hearings on Wednesday.
Tillis, who touted his own record of pushing for the release of non-violent offenders, cited high recidivism rates and an opinion in which Jackson considered (but rejected) the argument that all prisoners might "reasonably" be released to protect them from COVID-19.
"If I look at this, and I look at your philosophy with respect — and it's admirable; I said that the content of your character would be demonstrated this week in my opening statement, and it has been, and one of the things that are first among them are your compassion and your belief that people can redeem themselves — but if you look at some of the cases ... can you understand how some of us may think that your compassion could lead to bad results?" Tillis asked.
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.
"I don't recall saying anything about 'compassion' in the way that you're describing it," Jackson answered. "Thank you for letting me clarify. The statements that I made about my practices as a trial judge ... were intended to explain how trial judges operate and how they impose sentences within the framework that Congress has provided ... [I]t tells us that we should be imposing a sentence 'sufficient but not greater than necessary' to promote the purposes of punishment. Congress also tells us that one of the purposes of punishment is rehabilitation."
Jackson went on to say that she had sentenced people to "very lengthy periods of incarceration" but that she would also read statements from their victims to encourage offenders to "take responsibility for what they had done" instead of "feeling victimized" by the justice system and returning to crime upon release.
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.
-
Mustardy beans and hazelnuts recipe
The Week Recommends Nod to French classic offers zingy, fresh taste
-
Under siege: Argentina’s president drops his chainsaw
Talking Point The self-proclaimed ‘first anarcho-capitalist president in world history’ faces mounting troubles
-
Sarkozy behind bars: the conviction dividing France
In the Spotlight Sarkozy speaks to the press with wife Carla Bruni at his side outside a Paris courtroom after the guilty verdict
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sites
Speed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Moldova gives decisive win to pro-EU party
Speed Read The country is now on track to join the European Union within five years
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
UK, 3 Western allies recognize Palestinian state
Speed Read Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized the state of Palestine
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government building
Speed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to US
Speed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit