Here are the facts:
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is an extraordinarily qualified nominee with bipartisan support. Jackson would bring an unparalleled breadth and depth of experience.
Jackson served on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for nearly 8 years, giving her more trial court experience than any sitting Supreme Court justice and more than any justice since Edward Sanford, who was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1923.
Only Justice Sonia Sotomayor has also served as a District judge, Circuit judge and Supreme Court justice.
Jackson has more than eight years of experience as a judge; that’s more than Justices Thomas, Roberts, Kagan, and Barrett had combined when they were confirmed.
She would be the first justice with substantial criminal defense experience since Thurgood Marshall retired in 1991.
Jackson has been confirmed by the Senate on a bipartisan basis three times. In 2021, Jackson was confirmed to the United States Circuit Court for the District of Columbia with the support of Republican Sens. Murkowski, Collins, and Graham.
Former Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan: “My praise for Ketanji’s intellect, for her character, for her integrity – it is unequivocal.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX): “Very impressive background … extensive trial court experience.”
Republican-appointed judge Thomas Griffith, who supported Jackson’s elevation to the D.C. Circuit after observing her work as a judge, recently said: “Her academic record is remarkable. She has a breadth of experience, which is really quite unique.”
When Jackson was nominated to the D.C. Circuit, she received support from Supreme Court clerks for Justices Scalia, Thomas, Rehnquist, Kennedy, Souter, and O’Connor.
CNN: “She has a very distinguished record as a trial court judge and now an appellate court judge.”
Boston Globe: “A sterling educational background, a distinguished track record on the federal bench, and a reputation for both brilliance and an even judicial temperament. … A reputation as brilliant and meticulous”
PBS: “Jackson has a resume seemingly tailor-fit for the moment.”
Vox: “Well qualified for the job. … Significant judicial experience.”
CNN: “A glittering resume.”
Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post: “Top-flight academic qualifications”
Elie Honig, CNN Senior Legal Analyst: “Ranking among the absolute finest judges I’ve ever seen in action … a truly exceptional federal judge”
Paul Bulter, Washington Post Columnist: “[A] résumé … from central casting”
SCOTUS Blog: “She would bring a wide range of experiences”
Bloomberg: “The most complete resume [among frontrunners on Biden’s reported list] for a seat on the high court.”
LA Times: “Those who know Jackson say she always drew praise and respect.”
Financial Times: “Her rise in the legal profession has been widely regarded as formidable”
Slate: “A deep understanding of labor law”