Washington -- Ketanji Jackson was officially sworn in as an associate judge of the Supreme Court. She is the first Black woman ever to sit on the nation's highest court.
Chief Justice John Roberts stated at the beginning of the ceremony that they were here to administer the oaths of Office to Judge Ketanji Jackson to become associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He also acknowledged that the oaths will allow Jackson "without further delay."
A brief ceremony that took place at the Supreme Court was broadcast live. Jackson took the constitutional oath administered by Roberts. Then he took the judicial test administered by Justice Stephen Breyer. At noon on Thursday, Breyer retired from the high court, making it possible for Jackson, his former clerk to take his place.
Roberts spoke out, eliciting applause. Jackson administered the oaths while holding two Bibles that her husband Patrick had given her: the "Harlan", a Bible for the family, and the "Harlan," a Bible Justice John Marshall Harlan gave to the court in 1906.
Most of Jackson's new associates were present at the swearing-in ceremony: Justice Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
Jackson, 51, made a statement that was distributed by the court and thanked Roberts, Breyer and called him a "personal friend" and mentor for over 20 years. She stated that she is well-positioned to serve the American people.
She said, "With a full and sincere heart, I accept and defend the Constitution of America and administer justice without fear, favor, or favour, so help me God." "I am grateful to have been a part of the promise of this great nation. My sincere thanks to all my new colleagues who have shown warmth and hospitality.
Breyer wished the new justice well.
"I am happy today for Ketanji. Her intelligence, integrity, hard work and hard work have earned her a spot on this court. My fellow justices are my joy. They have a colleague who is thoughtful, empathetic and collegial. He said that he was happy for America. "Ketanji will help the law work better for American citizens, who it serves," he said.
In January, Breyer declared his intention to resign at the end the term. This gave President Biden his first chance to make a mark on the high courts. Jackson's addition won't change the ideological makeup the court, which is tightly controlled by the conservative six-justice majority.
"It is an honor that the very first nominee for a judicial position I made as President - the brilliant attorney who was 'Judge Jackson'- has become 'Justice Jackson," Mr. Biden stated in a Thursday statement. "Her historic swearing-in today is a significant step forward for our country, for all the young, Black girl who see themselves in our highest court and for us all as Americans. The Supreme Court has just added a colleague with an exceptional intellect, the dignity the American people expect from a justice, as well as the strongest credentials.
Breyer was also thanked by Mr. Biden for his "many, many years of exemplary services."
In April, the Senate confirmed Jackson, who was a member of the Washington federal appeals court.
Three Republican senators voted to approve Jackson's nomination along with all 50 Democrats. However, the confirmation hearings were fraught with controversy as some GOP senators attempted to portray her as a soft-on crime activist judge who would legislate directly from the bench.
Their criticisms of Jackson's sentencing record as a federal trial judge in child pornography cases did not derail White House efforts and Democratic Senate leaders for bipartisan support for Jackson’s nomination. This was despite the fact that it was piercing the partisanpolarization of recent Supreme Court confirmation battles.
