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Ketanji Jackson likely to succeed Stephen Breyer, Internet says 'she'll make history'

Jackson was the first Black woman confirmed to an appellate court in a decade, and is also one of 39 active Black female federal judges out of 793

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is set to retire at the end of the current term. As his retirement nears, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is being eyed as his potential replacement. President Joe Biden had nominated Jackson to replace Merrick Garland on the high-profile D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier.

Last week, Breyer, 83, informed Biden of his plans to retire. Breyer's announcement has now cleared the path for Biden to nominate his replacement to the Supreme Court. Breyer served on the Court since 1994. Of the three justices appointed by Democratic presidents, Breyer happens to be the most senior justice. 

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Biden had earlier said that he would appoint the first African American woman to the Supreme Court because the court should "look like the country". Never has a Black woman been nominated to the high court. Other potential replacements include Judge Leondra Kruger, of the California Supreme Court; Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner, of the US District Court Georgia; and Judge J. Michelle Childs, of the US District Court South Carolina. Once a replacement is nominated by Biden, Senate Democrats would likely be holding a confirmation hearing and also hold proceedings while Breyer is still on the bench. 

About Ketanji Brown Jackson

Ketanji Brown Jackson, born September 14, 1970, is an American attorney and jurist serving as United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. From 2013 to 2021, Jackson was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. She has also served as the Vice Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission from 2010 to 2014, as well as a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers since 2016.

Jackson was born in Washington, D.C and then raised in Miami, Florida. She attended Harvard University for college and law school. Jackson began her legal career with three clerkships, including with Breyer.

Jackson, 51, was the very first Black woman confirmed to an appellate court in a decade. She is also one of six Black female circuit court judges who are serving at present. Jackson is one of just 39 active Black female federal judges out of a total of 793.

In June 2021, Jackson was confirmed 53-44 to her current seat. She drew votes from Republicans such as Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. During her circuit court confirmation hearing, when Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif. asked Jackson what the nomination meant to her, she answered, "It is the beauty and the majesty of this country, that someone who comes from a background like mine could find herself in this position. And so I'm just enormously grateful to have this opportunity to be a part of the law in this way, and I'm truly thankful for the president giving me the honor of this nomination."

'Ketanji Brown Jackson seems like a solid jurist'

The Internet has erupted with Breyer's retirement nearing, saying Jackson "will be an incredible Supreme Court Justice". "Biden will nominate Ketanji Brown Jackson, my friend, college classmate, and fellow judicial clerk. She will make history. And she will be an incredible Supreme Court Justice," one user wrote. 

While one user commented, "Actually though, Ketanji Brown Jackson seems like a solid jurist whose judicial philosophy is in line with the legal liberalism the Democratic Party has been aching to support. Looking forward to another confirmation", another said, "Best nominee to replace Breyer: Ketanji Brown Jackson of court of appeals/DC circuit; judge in DC district from '13-21. Brilliant jurist, well-versed in Administrative Procedures Act which SCOTUS attacking based on nothing to cripple regs on business,has worked with many justices". "Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has a very nice ring to it. Extremely qualified (as a bonus, she is only 52). And white hood lovin' Mitch McConnell, who doesn't think Black people are Americans, won't be able to stop her confirmation," one user wrote.