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Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks on abortion, faith and race in Supreme Court confirmation hearing: updates
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WASHINGTON – Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson faced senators’ questions on impartiality, her sentencing patterns, her defense of Guantanamo Bay detainees, abortion and critical race theory during a marathon hearing Tuesday in which senators are considering her nomination to the Supreme Court..
Jackson, a judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and President Joe Biden’s pick for a lifetime appointment, told senators she believed Roe v. Wade, which established a constitutional right to abortion, is a settled issue. She leaned into her family’s history in law enforcement to describe how it influences her role as a judge.
And she noted the high honor that would come with being the sixth woman – and the first Black woman – ever on the nation’s nine-member high court, calling it “extremely meaningful.”
And when Republicans painted Jackson as soft on child sex criminals based on the sentences in a number of criminal cases she handled when she was a U.S. District Court judge, she responded by calling those offenses “the worst of humanity.”
Senators also asked about her judicial philosophy and how she interprets the Constitution in cases where the document isn’t explicit.
Tuesday marks the first of two days of questioning. Senators have 30 minutes each, in order of seniority. And then they’ll get a second round of questions on Wednesday.
Day one of Ketanji Brown Jackson hearing:Making history, first Black female Supreme Court nominee faces senators
Who is Ketanji Brown Jackson? Jackson says she’s ‘humbled’ by historic nomination to Supreme Court as focus shifts to Senate
Second day of marathon hearing reaches halfway point
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware just concluded his questioning, marking the halfway point in today’s hearing.
There are eleven senators remaining, each of whom will have 30 minutes to question Jackson. The day’s proceedings began at 9 a.m. All members will have another opportunity to ask questions tomorrow.
GOP Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska will be up next when the resume around 4:05 p.m. ET.
– Dylan Wells
Coons: Jackson’s diverse decisions shows she’d be a fair
During his questioning , Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., offered examples about Jackson’s history of bipartisan decisions, pointing out times she agreed with the Trump administration and the Republican National Committee over Democrats.
Coons asked Jackson about her defense of former President Donald Trump’s wall spanning the U.S.-Mexico border, which she said was “guided by my understanding of the law and what is required, and not by anything else.”
The Delaware senator also said Jackson ruled in favor of the RNC in 2016 over the release of more emails belonging to former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
“My approach all the way through is one that I believe is required by my duties, by my oath, as a judge,” Jackson said of her decision process. “We rule without fear or favor. We are independent as judges in our responsibilities.”
– Chelsey Cox
Jackson: sex crimes cases involving children are ‘harrowing’
Jackson told the Senate Judiciary Committee that “as a mother, cases involving sex crimes against children are harrowing.”
Her statement came in response to Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., who asked that Jackson share how having family members who served as law enforcement officers, including one as a detective in a Sex Crimes Unit, has impacted her decisions in cases involving child sex crimes.
“I think it’s important to understand that trial judges who have to deal with these cases are presented with the evidence or descriptions; graphic descriptions. These are the cases that wake you up at night, because you’re seeing the worst of humanity,”Jackson said.
Coons’ remarks came after Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and other GOP senators accused her of being soft on pedophiles.
– Chelsey Cox
Jackson defends sentencing ‘as a mother’ points out Congress role
After quizzing Jackson on racial issues and history, Sen. Ted Cruz grilled the judge about her sentencing record in child pornography cases.
The Texas Republican used a chart brought in by his Senate staff to point out how Jackson’s sentencing in those cases often fell below the recommended levels of federal prosecutors.
“Every single case — 100% of them — when prosecutors came before you with child pornography cases you sentenced the defenders to substantially below, not just the guidelines, but what the prosecutor asked for,” Cruz said.
Jackson, who attended Harvard law school with Cruz, said the senator’s charts failed to include how lawmakers told judges what to consider in those cases, such as probation officer’s recommendations.
“The second thing I would say is that I take these cases very seriously as a mother, as someone who as a judge has to review the actual evidence,” Jackson said.
“Senator the evidence in these cases are egregious,” she added. “The evidence in these cases are among the worst that I’ve seen and yet as Congress directs, judges don’t just calcite the guidelines and stop.”
– Phillip M. Bailey
Cruz questions Jackson over critical race theory
Jackson said she has not studied critical race theory and that it isn’t relevant to her work on the bench in response to questions on Tuesday from Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
Cruz brought props to the hearing, cycling through posters of children’s books he said were used at a Washington, D.C., area private school where Jackson is a board member. He questioned whether Jackson knew the books, including the children’s book “Antiracist Baby,” were taught at the school.
Brown said she did not have oversight of the school’s curriculum as a board member. And she said the theory taught at the college level was not a factor in her work as a judge.
After a long pause in response to a question about whether she agreed with the sentiments in the children’s book, Jackson said: “I do not believe that any child should be made to feel as though they are racist or as though they are not valued.”
She added later: “It doesn’t come up in my work as a judge. It’s never something that I’ve studied or relied on and it wouldn’t be something I would rely on if I was on the Supreme Court.”
– Richard Rouan
Klobuchar questions Jackson on voting rights, free press
Jackson affirmed that the right to vote is “fundamental” and a free press “protected” when asked to address her views by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
Jackson cited the Supreme Court as saying the right to vote is “the basis of our democracy, that it is the right upon which all other rights are essentially founded” and said she agrees with that sentiment.
The Minnesota senator also asked Jackson about her views on the role of journalists in democracy, noting that her father was a “newspaper reporter.”
“Journalists and freedom of the press is protected by the First Amendment,” Jackson said. “It is about the dissemination of information, which is necessary for a democratic form of government.”
– Ella Lee
Klobuchar praises Jackson’s family for their attentiveness
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar gave Jackson another chance to defend her sentencing policies regarding child pornography – and also praised family members for sitting behind the judge during the day-long session devoted to occasionally esoteric legal questions.
“They all seem to be awake throughout this hearing,” the Minnesota senator told the Supreme Court nominee.
Klobuchar also praised Jackson for her “grace under pressure” during harsher questions from Senate Republicans.
– David Jackson
Biden ‘proud’ of Jackson’s performance in hearings
President Joe Biden has been watching portions of his Supreme Court nominee’s hearings over the last two days and is “proud of the way she is showcasing her extraordinary qualifications,” according to the White House.
White House spokesman Chris Meagher told reporters at the daily press briefing Biden was “moved by the grace and dignity (Jackson) has shown the deference to senators and the level of detail she is offering, reinforcing the value of her experience, her intellect and the strength of her character.”
Biden, a former chairman of the Judiciary Committee, was also impressed with her “commitment to stay in the lane of judges prescribed by the Constitution,” noting her respect for the text of the law and the importance of precedent, Meagher added.
The president also noted that she “swiftly dismantled conspiracy theories put forward in bad faith” in an apparent reference to GOP attacks that she had been lenient with sentencing in child sex abuse cases.
– Courtney Subramanian
Jackson: Biden didn’t ask her about philosophy before nomination
Pressed by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Jackson said Biden didn’t ask about her judicial philosophy.
Lee called attention to Biden’s remark in February in which he said that he was looking for a Supreme Court candidate with a philosophy that “suggests that there are unenumerated rights in the Constitution, and all the amendments mean something, including the Ninth Amendment.”
That is widely viewed as pointing to the Roe v. Wade decision, which indirectly referenced the Ninth Amendment to establish a right to abortion.
More:After Roe? Pro- and anti-abortion rights groups face new landscape in 2022 midterms – and beyond
Lee wanted to know whether Biden had asked Jackson about her views on those so-called unenumerated rights.
Did Biden “ask you either about your judicial philosophy more broadly separate and apart from the Ninth Amendment or ask you about your approach to the Ninth Amendment?” Lee asked.
“He did not,” Jackson responded.
– John Fritze
Durbin fact-checks Cornyn on claim Jackson called Bush, Rumsfeld ‘war criminals’
As Senate Judiciary Chairman Richard Durbin gaveled in the afternoon session, the Illinois Democrat offered new research on an earlier claim by Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn that Jackson referred to former President George W. Bush and his Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld “war criminals” in a legal filing.
Jackson told Cornyn she could not recall the particular reference but said she did not intend to disparage the former president or Defense secretary.
Durbin appeared to clean up the discrepancy by noting that Jackson filed several habeas petitions against the U.S. – naming Bush and Rumsfeld in their official capacities – while advocating on behalf of individuals raising torture claims.
“To be clear, there was no time where you called President Bush or Secretary Rumsfeld a ‘war criminal,'” Durbin said.
“Correct, Senator. Thank you, that was correct,” she added.
– Courtney Subramanian
Hirono: Gitmo answer ‘should have been end of it’
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham’s exchange with Jackson on representing Guantanamo Bay detainees went far longer than it should have.
“I thought that whole exchange was really, in my view, questionable,” Hirono told reporters during a break in the hearing.
For several minutes the South Carolina Republican pressed Jackson on her defense of those detainees, who are accused of being terrorists. Jackson defended her time as a public defender and as a lawyer for Gitmo detainees, saying she was “standing up for the constitutional value of representation.”
During the lunch break, Hirono said Graham kept pushing for an answer after the judge had provided a solid one.
“And she made it really clear that the role as an advocate is to zealously represent your clients and that’s what she was doing in these Guantanamo cases,” Hirono said. “To me that should have been end of it.”
– Phillip M. Bailey
Judiciary Committee breaks for lunch, 15 senators to go
The Senate Judiciary Committee paused for a lunch break before proceeding with Judge Jackson’s confirmation hearing.
There are 15 senators left to speak after the break, which ends at 1:30 p.m. Each will get 30 minutes to question Jackson, and at some point the committee will pause again for a dinner break, meaning the hearing will continue into the evening.
After the break, the first senator to question Jackson will be Republican Mike Lee of Utah, followed by Democrat Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Yesterday Lee suggested he will question Jackson about her view on expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court, something she’s already been asked about this morning.
– Dylan Wells
Cornyn quizzes Jackson about ‘staying in your lane’
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas asked Jackson about one of her most repeated goals as a Supreme Court justice: “Staying in your lane.”
Cornyn appeared to question whether Jackson would stick to “interpreting” the law and not become a “policy maker” like a member of Congress or a state legislator.
Jackson said she is bound by the Constitution.
“Judges exercise their authority to interpret the law,” she said – not to make it.
So judges shouldn’t be politicians, Cornyn said.
“Yes,” Jackson replied.
– David Jackson
Implicit rights:Decisions on same-sex marriage, contraception could be threatened by abortion ruling
New guests in the hearing room after a break
During a break in questioning, Durbin., spoke with Supreme Court “sherpa” former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala.
Durbin then took photos with a group of Black women who identified themselves as law school deans. Other guests snapped photos and took selfies with Jackson’s parents during the 15 minute break.
As Republican Sen. John Cornyn began his questioning after the break, many senators were absent, but there was a new addition to the room: Maine Sen. Angus King. He is not a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, but came to watch the proceedings.
– Dylan Wells
Jackson: Gender balance ‘extremely meaningful’
Jackson said she believes it would be “extremely meaningful” to have gender balance on the Supreme Court.
If confirmed, Jackson would be the sixth woman seated at the nation’s highest court. She would join Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett — marking the first time in history that four women serve together on the nine-member court.
On balance:Race, gender become factors in Supreme Court confirmation battle before Biden names his choice
“I think it’s extremely meaningful,” Jackson said in respond to a question from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. “One of the things that having diverse members of the court does is it provides for the opportunity for role models.”
“We want, I think, as a country for everyone to believe that they can do things like sit on the Supreme Court,” Jackson said.
– John Fritze
Durbin, Graham tussle in testy exchange on Guantanamo Bay
As Graham pressed Jackson on her defense of Guantanamo Bay detainees, Durbin intervened to rebut the South Carolina senator’s questioning.
He pointed out that there are 39 Guantanamo detainees remaining and the cost of housing them would be dramatically less if they were moved to a supermax federal prison in Colorado.
The two then squabbled over the recidivism rate and policy of detention at Guantanamo Bay before Graham fumed the cost of housing prisoners shouldn’t matter if there is the possibility they could kill Americans while the country is “at war.”
“I hope they all die in jail if they’re going to go back to kill Americans, it won’t bother me one bit,” Graham shouted before he left the committee room.
– Courtney Subramanian
Jackson says Roe v. Wade is ‘settled as a precedent’
Jackson said that she believes both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey are “settled as precedent” and that she would abide by stare decisis – a legal principle of ruling based on precedent – in cases related to abortion, falling in line with answers given by now-Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett during their hearings.
“Roe and Casey are the settled law of the Supreme Court,” Jackson said. “Concering the right to terminate a women’s pregnancy, they have established a framework and the court has reaffirmed.”
She expanded on the importance of stare decisis, calling it important because it provides and establishes “predictability and stability.”
“It also serves as a restraint in this way on the exercise of judicial authority because the court looks at whether or not precedents are relied upon, whether they’re workable, in addition to whether or not they’re wrong, and other factors as well.”
Abortion reentered the national discourse after a majority of the Supreme Court signaled in December that they are considering an opinion that could come later this year that may overturn or significantly change the landmark 1973 Roe ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion.
– Ella Lee, John Fritze
Abortion:Four clues the Supreme Court is heading toward a major shift on Roe v. Wade
Senators absent, Jackson’s husband taking notes in hearing
As Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham questioned Jackson, several other committee members aren’t in the room to hear him or her answers. Members are able to come and go throughout the hearing.
Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut are no longer in the room. On the Republican side of the hearing room to Jackson’s left, Sens. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Ted Cruz of Texas, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Mike Lee of Utah, and Ben Sasse of Nebraska are not present.
There are still 18 senators left to question Jackson, meaning the hearing will go well into the evening.
While Graham questions Jackson, her husband Dr. Patrick Jackson is actively taking notes. He is seated in the front row to his wife’s left, the same seat he sat in Monday, when he became emotional and could be seen wiping tears from his eyes during his wife’s opening statement.
– Dylan Wells
Graham, other Republicans complain about treatment of GOP nominees
In addition to questioning Jackson, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are also grousing about confirmation hearings past – and how their favored candidates were treated.
Republicans are particularly busy dredging up the past, complaining about attacks on GOP nominees like Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and some lower court judicial candidates put forward by Republican presidents.
“There are two standards going on here,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., claiming that Republican nominees are treated like “weirdos” while Democrats like Jackson are treated fairly.
That idea is very much under dispute.
Democrats on the Judiciary Committee have noted that a past Republican Senate majority denied even a hearing to Merrick Garland, the Supreme Court nominee put up by President Barack Obama in 2016.
“There’s exactly one living senator who effectively changed the size of the Supreme Court,” said Rep. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. “That was the Rep. Leader Senator (Mitch) McConnell, who shrank the Court to eight seats for nearly a year in 2016.”
Democrats also noted that Republicans on the current committee are distorting Jackson’s record in this current hearing.
– David Jackson
Graham: ‘How important is your faith?’
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., started off his questioning by pressing Jackson about her faith.
“On a scale of one to ten, how faithful would you say you are in terms of religion?” Graham asked.
Jackson described herself as a non-denominational Protestant but said she wasn’t comfortable answering questions like how often she attends church.
“Personally, my faith is very important,” Jackson said. “But as you know there’s no religious test in the Constitution.”
Graham was making a point that had less to do with Jackson and more to do with Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who faced a number of questions about her Catholic faith during her confirmation hearing.
Jackson would add a second Protestant voice to the court. The current court includes on justice who is Jewish, six who are Catholic and one who identifies as an Episcopalian.
– John Fritze
Jackson and faith:Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson would add another Protestant voice to heavily Catholic Supreme Court
Jackson restates commitment to impartiality
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., drew attention to Jackson’s previous endorsement by former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who said his praise for her intellect, character and integrity is “unequivocal.” In response, Jackson affirmed her commitment to serving as an “even-handed” Supreme Court justice – a theme throughout her hearing thus far.
She pointed to her record as a trial and appellate judge in Washington, noting that despite ruling on “politically contentious issues,” her rulings remained fair.
“My record demonstrates my impartiality,” she said.
– Ella Lee
Jackson highlights family’s law enforcement ties in anti-crime criticism
Jackson pushed back on criticism that her time as a public defender meant she was soft on crime, noting that her family’s background in law enforcement and her views as a lawyer and a judge informed how she viewed the effects of crime on a community and need for law enforcement.
Jackson’s brother served as a Baltimore police office and two of her uncles were career law enforcement, including one who became the chief of the Miami Police Department in the 1990s. Leahy pointed out the National Fraternal Order of Police, the largest law enforcement labor organization in the U.S., has expressed strong support for her nomination.
She said as someone with family members on patrol or in the line of fire, she cares “deeply about public safety.”
“Those are not abstract concepts or political slogans to me,” she said.
Jackson cited the importance of the role of criminal defense lawyers “in defense of the Constitution and in service of the court” but also the rule of law. Her time as a judge informs her view that in order to have a functioning society, people need to be held accountable for committing crimes.
– Courtney Subramanian
Democrats tout Jackson’s past work as a public defender
Supportive Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are promoting another unique aspect of Jackson’s nomination: She would be the first Supreme Court justice who has been a public defender.
Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., said Jackson’s work as a lawyer for indigent defendants gave her a unique view of how the criminal justice system works, or doesn’t work.
Jackson, who would also be the first Black woman on the high court, said public defender work is essential so that judges can learn “both sides of the issue” before them.
It helps jurists “reach just results,” Jackson said.
– David Jackson
Jackson’s background:Ketanji Brown Jackson would be Supreme Court’s first federal public defender, a line of attack for critics
Leahy: What about Merrick Garland?
Republicans spent much of the day Monday focused not on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson but rather on Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, accusing Democrats of treating him unfairly. Kavanaugh’s hearing became a national spectacle over decades-old allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., seemed to have a response for that in his remarks Tuesday: What about Merrick Garland? Garland was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama in early 2016 but GOP leadership in the Senate blocked his confirmation for months until after President Donald Trump took office.
“We’re still waiting today for Republicans to explain on the record what kind of substantive concerns they had with Merrick Garland,” Leahy said.
– John Fritze
Jackson hints at originalist ‘constraints’ on Constitution
Jackson provided a glimpse of her approach on whether or not she views the Constitution as an originalist, or interpreting the document as it was written with a fixed meaning.
Pressed by ranking member Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, about her views of whether the text evolves over time, Jackson said she was “acutely aware of the limitations on the exercise of my judicial power.” She said she didn’t believe there is a living Constitution in the sense that it’s changing or “infused with my own policy perspective.”
“The Supreme Court has made clear that when you’re interpreting the Constitution, you’re looking at the text at the time of the founding, and what the meaning was then as a constraint on my own authority. And so I apply that constraint,” she said.
– Courtney Subramanian
Jackson brands herself as ‘independent jurist’
Jackson reiterated her commitment to impartial judging and said her record clearly demonstrates that.
When asked by Committee ranking member Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, what aspect of her record has been most important for the good of the country, she responded that all of her record is important because it demonstrates she is an “independent jurist.”
“I don’t think that anyone can look at my record and say that it is pointing one direction or another, that it is supporting one viewpoint or another,” she said.
– Ella Lee
Jackson’s opinions:Review of Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson’s opinions shows outcomes cut both ways
Jackson, on replacing ‘my justice’
Jackson praised her former boss, retiring Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, whose seat she would fill if confirmed by the Senate.
Committee ranking member Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, asked Jackson about a 2018 op-ed written by Breyer.
“I have nothing but the highest esteem and respect for my former boss, who I’ve spent the better part of the past couple decades calling ‘my justice,’ having clerked for him.”
– Dylan Wells
Who is Justice Breyer?:Pragmatist. Institutionalist. Optimist. How Justice Stephen Breyer changed the Supreme Court
Jackson dodges Grassley on court packing
Jackson made clear in her exchange with Grassley that she’s not going to wade into the issue of expanding the size of the nine-member Supreme Court.
The Iowa Republican had tried a different way of posing the question, noting that some sitting justices – including Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsburg – have publicly opposed the idea.
But Jackson drew a compelling distinction between herself and the others: Ginsburg and Breyer had already been confirmed to a lifetime appointment when they made those comments.
“Other nominees to the Supreme Court have responded as I will,” Jackson said, “which is that it is a policy question for Congress.”
– John Fritze
Jackson avoids talking about how she might rule on hot button cases
Like Supreme Court nominees before her, Jackson is declining to speculate on how she might rule on very disputed issues that may come before her and the other justices.
Second Amendment gun rights, presidential powers, alleged court packing, whistleblower rules, immigration and other issues raised by Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley – Jackson said she would have to look at the details of each case and the wording of law before she could even begin to think about how to judge it.
“I’m committed to staying in my lane of the system,” Jackson said at one point.
Expect her to take a similar line on items like abortion and Roe vs. Wade, whenever they come up at this daylong hearing.
No judicial nominee, either Republican or Democrats, would talk specifics about how to rule on a case – especially a controversial one.
– David Jackson
Second Amendment:Supreme Court majority skeptical of New York law that limits carrying handguns in public
‘Standing up for the constitutional value of representation’: Jackson defends Gitmo cases
Jackson defended her representation of Guantanamo Bay detainees after the Sept. 11 attacks, making the case that public defenders sought to uphold the nation’s constitutional values that were under attack.
“We couldn’t let the terrorists win by changing who we were fundamentally, and what that meant was that the people who were accused by our government of having engaged in actions related to this, under our constitutional scheme, were entitled to representation – are entitled to be treated fairly,” she said. “That’s what makes our system the best in the world.”
She said that federal public defenders don’t pick their clients and described the work as a service.
“That’s what you do as a federal public defender; you are standing up for the constitutional value of representation,” she said.
– Ella Lee
Durbin gives Jackson a chance to defend herself against GOP attacks
Durbin is trying to preempt Republican criticism of the nominee by asking Jackson about some of the disputed aspects of her record, including her views on “court packing,” the handling of military detainees at Gitmo, her work as a public defender, and sentences on child pornography.
“CNN says (Josh) Hawley’s assessment of your record of ruling on child porn cases is wrong and unfair,” Durbin told Jackson at one point, referring to the Missouri Republican senator.
In prebuttal mode, Jackson avoided the charged “political” topic of adding justices to the high court – and said she based sentences of convicted pornographers based on the law and the circumstances. She described her work on Guantanamo Bay and as a public defender as “standing up for the constitutional value of representation.”
Despite Durbin’s effort, expect Republicans to raise these issues – and others – throughout the day.
– David Jackson
Jackson responds to child porn criticism
Speaking for the first time about criticism that her sentences in child pornography cases consistently came in under U.S. Sentencing Commission guidelines, Jackson told the committee that she took the crimes seriously and sought to “impose a sentence that is sufficient but not greater than necessary.”
Jackson noted that in addition to prison time, her sentences in the seven cases raised by Republicans often included years of supervised released and other factors, such as limiting the ability of defendants to use their computers.
“I am imposing all of those constraints because I understand how significant, how damaging, how horrible this crime is,” Jackson said.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has said that he intends to discuss some cases in detail later in the hearing.
– John Fritze
Jackson agrees with Justice Barrett on court-packing question
Durbin asked Jackson about her stance on making structural changes to the high court beyond its current nine seats, noting that Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett was asked a similar question during her hearings. Many progressives have pushed to add more seats to the conservative, majority-ruled court.
Jackson said she agreed with Barrett, who said she could not opine on the politically controversial issue because it’s inconsistent with a judicial role.
“My North Star is the consideration of the proper role of a judge in our constitutional scheme and in my view, judges should not be speaking in to political issues and certainly not a nominee for position on the Supreme Court,” Jackson said.
– Courtney Subramanian
Jackson’s family back in the hearing room
Jackson’s parents and brother entered the hearing room after she made her entrance. Like yesterday, they are seated to Jackson’s right. Her husband flanks Jackson’s left side, while “sherpa” former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., has the seat closest to her right.
Others in the audience include Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who was present for yesterday’s proceedings. Louisa Terrell, director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, is also in the room watching the questioning.
– Dylan Wells
Jackson vows to ‘stay in my lane’
In her most extensive explanation yet of her judicial philosophy, Jackson told senators that she has developed a methodology “to ensure that I am ruling impartially.”
“I am acutely aware that as a judge in our system I have limited power,” she said.
“I am trying in every case to stay in my lane.”
Jackson said she looks at “original documents” and precedents of the Supreme Court.
Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin, D-Ill., raised the issue as his first question, anticipating that others would continue to ask. Jackson’s answer is unlikely to fully satisfy conservatives who would like a more detailed explanation of how she would approach interpreting the Constitution.
– John Fritze
Guests begin to arrive for second day of hearing
Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., who was designated as Judge Jackson’s “sherpa” to guide her throughout the confirmation process, is in the hearing room. The proceedings are set to start at 9 a.m.
Outside the hearing room, a short line of ticketed guests has formed, awaiting entry to the room.
– Dylan Wells
Democrats aim to confirm Jackson in matter of weeks
Senate Democrats are aiming to fast-track Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation process at nearly the pace of Amy Coney Barrett, who was seated less than a month after being nominated in 2020.
Sen. Dick Durbin, the Judiciary Committee chairman, said he’d like to see her confirmed in an “expedited way” by April 8, when Congress leaves for a two-week Easter break.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen in the world,” he said. “I want to really focus on getting this to the finish line.”
– Courtney Subramanian and John Fritze
Jackson’s bio:Who is Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson? For starters, she clerked for Justice Breyer
Jackson’s opening statement highlights support system, professional commitments
Judge Ketjani Brown Jackson on Monday thanked her support system and affirmed her commitment to neutral judgment in her opening remarks of her Supreme Court confirmation hearing.
Jackson said her parents taught her growing up that if she worked hard and believed in herself she could “do anything or be anything” she wanted to be, calling being born in America was the “first of my many blessings.” She said she is committed to deciding cases from a “neutral posture” and remaining transparent in her reasoning.
She also thanked God for her nomination and paid homage to her husband, children, high school debate coach and Justice Stephen Breyer, who she called a mentor.
– Ella Lee
Day 2 agenda for Jackson
Today is the second day of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court, and the first opportunity during the hearings for senators to question her.
All 22 committee members will have the chance to ask Jackson any questions they want, for 30 minutes each. The order of questions will be determined by seniority.
Members of the committee previewed some of the topics that may arise today.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., listed specific cases in which Jackson handed down sentences for defendants convicted on child pornography charges that were below sentencing guidelines. Jackson’s supporters and experts have noted sentences for those offenses are regularly below the guidelines, regardless of the judge involved.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he would press Jackson for more detail about her judicial philosophy and how she would approach the Constitution in situations in which the founding document is not clear.
– Dylan Wells
‘Sherpa’: Jackson’s ‘prepared’
Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., who is helping guide Jackson through the confirmation process in a role known as a “sherpa,” told reporters that he feels the judge is ready to counter GOP criticism during questioning.
“I think there’s gonna be some very pointed questions about her record, and that’s what the senators are there for. I think she will be prepared,” Jones said.
He said that Jackson, not the Democratic members of the committee, is best positioned to respond to any attacks leveled by Republican senators.
“I think the best counter for some of those things is going to be Judge Jackson,” he said. “The senators are there to ask those probing questions. It’s going to be her job to give the answers.”
– Dylan Wells
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Razzies royally torch 'Diana' musical and 'Space Jam 2,' show love to Oscar favorite Will Smith
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In its proclamation of the worst films of 2021, the Razzies lambasted a critically reviled Princess Diana musical and LeBron James’ “Space Jam” sequel, but spread love instead of hate for Will Smith.
The Golden Raspberry Awards, annually announced the day before the Academy Awards, bestowed five dishonors on Netflix’s “Diana: The Musical,” a filmed production of the recent Broadway show that closed after 33 performances. “Diana” beat out “Infinite,” “Karen,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and “The Woman in the Window” for worst picture, plus picked up worst screenplay and worst actress for star Jeanna de Waal.
“New Legacy,” the live-action/animated hybrid basketball comedy featuring James hooping it up with Bugs Bunny and Co., earned three Razzie awards. James was named worst actor and also was saddled with worst screen couple – which went to James and “Any Warner Cartoon Character (or WarnerMedia Product) He Dribbles On” – while the movie snagged worst sequel.
How to watch the 2022 Oscars:Everything you should know about Sunday’s Academy Awards
“House of Gucci” star Jared Leto lost his Screen Actors Guild race for best supporting actor but nabbed the Razzie for worst. And Bruce Willis does so many VOD movies now that he received his own special category (worst performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 movie) that, to no one’s surprise, he won – for “Cosmic Sin.”
Smith, who’s expected to win the best actor Oscar Sunday for “King Richard,” received this year’s Razzie Redeemer Award for previous Razzie honorees who’ve come back with quality efforts. Recent winners include Ben Affleck, Sylvester Stallone, Melissa McCarthy and Eddie Murphy.
The full list of this year’s Razzie “winners”:
Worst picture: “Diana: The Musical”
Worst actor: LeBron James, “Space Jam: A New Legacy”
Worst actress: Jeanna de Waal, “Diana: The Musical”
Worst supporting actress: Judy Kaye, “Diana: The Musical”
Worst supporting actor: Jared Leto, “House of Gucci”
Worst performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 movie: Bruce Willis, “Cosmic Sin”
Worst screen couple: LeBron James and Any Warner Cartoon Character
(or WarnerMedia Product) He Dribbles On, “Space Jam: A New Legacy”
Worst remake, rip-off or sequel: “Space Jam: A New Legacy”
Worst director: Christopher Ashley, “Diana: The Musical”
Worst screenplay: “Diana: The Musical”
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As more marijuana dispensaries get targeted by robbers, SAFE Banking Act lingers in Congress
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A bill that could allow electronic transactions at weed dispensaries nationwide is again make its way through Congress but the SAFE Banking Act might not be the cure-all that supporters envision.
In over a decade of operating cannabis shops in Washington, Shea Hynes never once worried about his stores getting robbed at gun point – until recently: In a span of three weeks, his stores were robbed three different times at gun point.
Reports of armed robberies at cannabis dispensaries like Hynes’ have nearly doubled in the first quarter of this year compared with all of last year, according to data maintained by the Craft Cannabis Coalition. The group, which represents more than 50 stores in Washington, has recorded more than 65 armed robberies so far this year, compared with 35 in 2021 and 29 in 2020.
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CHICAGO — In a ridiculous coincidence, the Saint Peter’s Peacocks wrote NCAA Tournament history on National Peacock Day with a thrilling upset of Purdue.
The mid-major became the first-ever No. 15 seed to reach the Elite Eight, outdoing previous No. 15 seeds Oral Roberts (2021) and Florida Gulf Coast (2013). Exactly 0.8% of people picked the Peacocks to get this far, with the school from Jersey City, New Jersey, defying all odds. Is Saint Peter’s the best Cinderella of all time?
Meanwhile, the ACC is sitting pretty with three teams – Duke and now North Carolina and Miami (Fla.) – in the Elite Eight on the same day the Big Ten saw its last team go down.
A look at three key takeaways from Friday:
Saint Peter’s writes NCAA history
Coach Shaheen Holloway has this team playing inspired basketball, and now the Peacocks (22-11) are just one win from the Final Four. The best Cinderellas of the last two decades to reach Final Fours – George Mason in 2006, VCU in 2011, Loyola-Chicago (2018) all were double-digit seeded mid-majors. But none was as highly seeded as this Saint Peter’s team that’s now beaten No. 2 seed Kentucky, No. 7 Murray State and No. 3 Purdue.
WINNERS, LOSERS:Poised Saint Peter’s keeps the dream alive; bye-bye, Big Ten; hello, ACC
OPINION:Saint Peter’s embodies wackiness and uncertainty of this NCAA Tournament
ANALYSIS:Purdue’s loss leaves Big Ten shut out of Elite Eight. We could see this coming.
MORE:Legendary Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson: Coach K’s farewell tour ends Saturday
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While other bracket-busting NCAA Tournament darlings of yesteryear have had flair (FGCU’s “Dunk City”) or a lovable fan (Loyola’s Sister Jean), this team from the MAAC is doing it with defense, namely with nine steals. In spite of being undersized against the Boilermakers, the Peacocks used aggressiveness and hustle to outduel their seemingly superior opponent behind 6-8 freshman Clarence Rubert and 6-7 junior Hassan Drame. Daryl Banks III (14 points) is the go-to scorer for Saint Peter’s, but Mr. Clutch has been guard Doug Edert (10 points) off the bench. One stat to note: a 19-for-21 clip from the free-throw line. What’s been most impressive is the Peacocks’ ability to stay hungry and poised under pressure, winning close games in all three NCAA Tournament matchups.
Blue-bloods show title potential
Duke and Villanova advanced on Thursday, and fellow blue-bloods Kansas and North Carolina will now join them in the Elite Eight. And yes, if both the Blue Devils and Tar Heels win Sunday, we could see them meet in the Final Four.
Ever since North Carolina embarrassed Duke in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Heels have been red-hot – knocking out No. 1 Baylor in the previous game in overtime. That continued against a UCLA team that reached the Final Four last year and seemed destined to get back. Caleb Love was brilliant again, finishing with 30 points off six three-pointers. Armando Bacot’s tip-in with 22 seconds left sealed the win in another impressive outing for coach Hubert Davis’ resilient team.
The last remaining No. 1 in the NCAA Tournament, Kansas stayed alive, escaping Providence by five points. It’s coach Bill Self’s ninth trip to the Elite Eight with Kansas and 11th of his career, as the Jayhawks (31-6) are one win from the Final Four. They’ve now won eight in a row and are looking like a title contender after entering the NCAA Tourney having won the Big 12 tournament.
The secret weapon for Kansas has been guard Remy Martin. For the third consecutive tournament game, Kansas got a jolt off the bench from the fiery Martin (23 points), the Arizona State transfer who has erupted in these NCAAs after playing a reserve role throughout 2021-22.
ACC > Big Ten
Despite garnering nine NCAA Tournament bids on Selection Sunday – the most of any conference – the Big Ten is out following Purdue’s stunning exit vs. Saint Peter’s. The league tanked in the first two rounds, with No. 5 Iowa – the conference tourney champ – getting upset by Richmond in the first round. No. 3 Wisconsin, No. 4 Illinois, No. 7 Michigan State and No. 7 Ohio State all lost in the second round. And now, with Michigan’s loss to Villanova, the overall underachievement is on full display. That’s a 9-9 finish in the tournament.
No Big Ten team has cut down the nets since 2000 (the Spartans), and it’s a depressing outlook for the league that posted the second-best NET score in 2021-22 and showcased several teams with Final Four potential.
The ACC, which finished with the sixth-worst NET score as a league, has Duke, North Carolina and Miami all in the Elite Eight. That’s after the Tar Heels, Hurricanes and Notre Dame were all bubble teams in early March. The NCAA Tournament is about matchups and pathways. No matter how well the Big Ten did in the regular season, much like the Pac-12’s surprising finish last year, the ACC is well-positioned with three teams still alive and two of them title contenders.
Follow college basketball reporter Scott Gleeson on Twitter @ScottMGleeson.
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