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       Biden speaks about nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

       Ketanji Brown Jackson, Joe Biden’s first Supreme Court nominee, is today appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the first of her confirmation hearings. The first Black woman to be nominated to the court, she will if confirmed replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer.

       With the Democrats in control of the Senate and the court now heavily tilted in conservatives’ favour, Ms Brown Jackson – currently a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia – is expected to be confirmed barring some unforseen event.

       However, some Republicans have lately begun attacking her for her past work as a public defender, focusing in particular on her work defending sexual offenders. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who sits on the Judiciary Committee, last week launched a broadside against her on Twitter, claiming without providing substantial context that “Judge Jackson has a pattern of letting child porn offenders off the hook for their appalling crimes, both as a judge and as a policymaker” and that “this is a record that endangers our children.”

       Mr Hawley’s words and similar ones from other GOP senators have been widely criticised, with Democrat Tim Kaine describing them to The Independent as “wild claims”.

       Recommended Who is Ketanji Brown Jackson? Notable opinions by high court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson How the White House has prepared for attacks on Ketanji Brown Jackson

       Key points Judge is first Black woman nominated to Supreme Court If confirmed, Ms Brown Jackson will replace liberal Clinton appointee Stephen Breyer Some Republicans have attacked Ms Brown for record defending sexual offenders

       Show latest update 1647866274 Profile: who is Joe Biden’s first Supreme Court nominee?

       Aside from dissections of her past opinions and interrogations over how she’d approach hypothetical cases, Ketanji Brown Jackson is likely to face the nomination process’s other feature: a dive into her personal and professional background, one that often goes beyond judicial experience. (Recall Ted Cruz asking Amy Coney Barrett about piano lessons, or Lindsey Graham asking Jewish nominee Elena Kagan where she was on Christmas Day).

       For those seeking more on Ms Jackson’s background before the cross-examination begins, here’s a quick profile from Andrew Feinberg and Sravasti Dasgupta.

       Who is Ketanji Brown Jackson? Ms Jackson would be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court

       Andrew Naughtie 21 March 2022 12:37

       1647864414 Ketanji Brown Jackson’s record: key opinions

       One of the main focuses of any Supreme Court confirmation process is the nominee’s record of writing judicial opinions, which offer the clearest look at their thinking. Among those Ketanji Brown Jackson has written are opinions on the limits of presidential power, government deportation policies, and relations between companies and unions.

       Here’s a rundown of some of her most important rulings from the bench.

       Notable opinions by high court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson President Joe Biden's Supreme Court nominee, Ketanji Brown Jackson, has been a federal appeals court judge for less than a year

       Andrew Naughtie 21 March 2022 12:06

       1647863332 White House prepares for attacks on KBJ

       The early Republican attacks on Ketanji Brown Jackson have come from the party’s more hardcore senators, and have focused on two main themes: the supposed tokenism of Joe Biden’s promise to choose a Black woman, and Ms Brown Jackson’s record as a public defender, which right-wing Judiciary Committee member Josh Hawley claims indicates she is “soft” on child abusers.

       The White House has, naturally, seen these attacks coming, and is ready. Here, Eric Garcia reports on what the Biden administration has been doing to prepare for them.

       How the White House has prepared for attacks on Ketanji Brown Jackson The White House and its allies have highlighted Judge Jackson’s support from Republican nominees and police unions

       Andrew Naughtie 21 March 2022 11:48

       1647862569 Good morning

       Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic Supreme Court nomination hearings. Stay with us for updates as the day develops.

       Andrew Naughtie 21 March 2022 11:36